Padmasambhava in His Pure Realm, the Copper-Colored Mountain

Artwork Details

Title: Padmasambhava in His Pure Realm, the Copper-Colored Mountain

Dimensions: 37 1/2 x 24 in. (95.3 x 61 cm)

Medium: Pigments on cloth

Origin: Kham Province, Eastern Tibet

Classification(s): paintings

Date: 19th century

Credit Line: Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, gift of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation

Object number: F1997.8.2

HAR Number: 111

Published references: * Kathryn H. Selig Brown. Eternal Presence: Handprints and Footprints in Buddhist Art. (Katonah, New York: Katonah Museum of Art, 2004). Plate 25; Pp. 56-57, 59. * David P. Jackson. The Place of Provenance: Regional Styles in Tibetan Painting. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2012). Fig. 5.21. Pp. 10, 106.*Glenn H. Mullin. Buddha in Paradise: A Celebration in Himalayan Art. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2007). Fig. 57; Pp. 120-121.* Marylin M. Rhie and Robert A.F. Thurman. Worlds of Transformation: Tibetan Art and Wisdom of Compassion. (New York: Tibet House, 1999). Cat. 192; Pp. 474-476.

Liberation

Concepts

The central goal of Buddhism is the liberation of all beings from suffering and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, known as samsara, through applying the teachings of the Buddha.

A meditation technique primarily used in tantric practice that involves imagining a deity in one’s mind or imagining oneself becoming a deity and carrying out various activities. Such techniques are intended to help a practitioner transform ordinary perception and achieve enlightened qualities.

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.

Legendary and Historical Humans

Figure Type

Himalayan art includes portraits of legendary and historical humans, including accomplished religious teachers (lamas), the Buddha’s original disciples (arhats), and spiritually accomplished tantric masters (mahasiddhas).

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.