The meditation deity Akshobhyavajra, described in the Secret Assembly (Guhyasamaja) Tantra, symbolically unites the Five Buddha Families. Three-headed, six-armed, holding a vajra and bell, and embracing a consort, he represents the ultimate form of Buddha Akshobhya and the unification of method and wisdom that allows one to overcome duality.In this painting many of the stylistic elements, including the faces, the scrollwork background, and the hierarchical organization, are reminiscent of early Tibetan art. In contrast, the fullness of the deities’ garments and their patterns — such as the Chinese-inspired flowers and clouds — the gilding of all the figures, and the sense of movement are more recent developments that emerged with the Khyenri painting tradition in the fifteenth century.

Artwork Details

Title
Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra
Dimensions
30 1/8 × 24 1/8 in. (estimated)
Medium
Pigments on cloth
Origin
Central Tibet
Classification(s)
paintings
Date
early 17th century (ca. 1604)
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, gift of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation
Object number
F1997.31.13
HAR Number
487
Published references
* Glenn H. Mullin and Jeff Watt. Female Buddhas: Women of Enlightenment in Tibetan Mystical Art. (Santa Fe, New Mexico: Clear Light Publishers, 2003). Pp. 134-135.* Van Alphen, J. Collection Highlights: Rubin Museum of Art. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2014). Pp. 109-111.* "The Myths, Challenges, and Rewards of Tantra," Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly, Shambhala Sun Foundation, Vol. 9, No. 1, Fall 2010 (pp. 48-57); p. 48.* Rob Linrothe and Jeff Watt. Demonic Divine in Himalayan Art and Beyond. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2004). Fig. 1.29; Pp. 23.* Marylin M. Rhie and Robert A.F. Thurman. Worlds of Transformation: Tibetan Art and Wisdom of Compassion. (New York: Tibet House, 1999). Cat. 165; Pp. 420-421.Rights & Reproductions:* Permission for use of digital image by Colin Stump in his publication: Wisdom of the Mountains (R&R_Stump_03-23-2017 Attached)

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Ritual

Concepts

Prescribed practices that carry symbolic meaning and value within a specific tradition and are intended to attain a desired outcome. Rituals are usually done as part of a ceremony or regular routine.

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Tantrism

Concepts

A religious movement that originated in India around the fifth to seventh century with sacred writings and esoteric teachings and practices transmitted from teacher to student through initiation. These remain an important part of Hinduism and Buddhism today. 

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Meditation

Concepts

A contemplative practice in which a person uses concentration and visualization to achieve aims such as transforming the mind and generating feelings of compassion. Techniques include focusing on breathing or visualizing oneself as a deity.

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Tantric Deities

Figure Type

Tantric deities personify various enlightened qualities and are the focus of esoteric religious practices (tantras) that aim to swiftly and radically transform one’s understanding of reality.

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Tibetan Regions

Region

Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.

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