Tsang Province, Central Tibet
15th century
The right hand is extended in a giving gesture.
Tsang Province, Central Tibet
15th century
Here the eight-armed goddess of long life Ushnishavijaya sits framed by an ornate stupa. An inscription on the back follows the shape of the stupa. A tiny representation of Buddha Vairochana, the goddess’s primary buddha sits just above the dome of the stupa.The fifteenth century marks a period of transition in Tibetan painting. While works from this time adhere to organizational principles inherited from India and Nepal, the usual strict, grid-like compartmentalization of the figures has transformed into rows of circular celllike enclosures made of scrolling vines. Paintings of this period also feature more distinctive Tibetan architecture and often emphasize an auspicious backdrop of blossoms, features that are both evident in this work. Stylistically this painting relates to the famous murals of the Kumbum, in Gyantse, southern-central Tibet.
The right hand is extended in a giving gesture.
A vajra is a ritual scepter used in tantric practices and an attribute of tantric masters and deities. It generally symbolizes method, the male aspect of enlightenment.
In Buddhism merit is accumulated through engaging in positive actions that lead to positive results, such as better rebirths. Buddhists gain merit by making offerings, donating to those in need, reciting mantras, and other good deeds.
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.
A kind of energy that can be used, individually and collectively, to effect change.
Female bodhisattvas and tantric deities embody specific enlightened qualities such as wisdom, power, and protection, and can be peaceful or wrathful in appearance.
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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