An elaborately crowned Vajradhara, primordial guru of Tantric lineages, sits in the center of the composition surrounded by the eighty-five great tantric adepts (mahasiddha), the exemplary practitioners of those teachings. Each of these adepts is engaged in a different activity and is identified by an inscription, following the verse eulogy attributed to the Indian master Vajrasana (about 1100). An interesting feature of this painting is the large number of adepts shown in strenuous yogic poses. Vajradhara is seated on an elaborate throne with wide pillars and adorned with multicolored scrolling sea monster (makara) tails. Such features identify it as art of the ancient kingdom of Guge in western Tibet.The back of the painting features a stupa with a number of atypical features. Windows are found on both the base and the square section on top of the dome (harmika). The dome also has some odd details, including a niche and decorative eyes. The chains with bells and the representations of the crescent moon and the sun, although common symbols that stand for eternity, are particularly remarkable here for their large size and unusual depiction.

Artwork Details

Title
Vajradhara with Eighty-Five Great Adepts (Mahasiddhas)
Dimensions
36 1/4 × 24 5/8 × 1/4 in.
Medium
Pigments on cloth
Origin
Western Tibet
Classification(s)
paintings scroll painting
Date
15th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, gift of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation
Object number
F1998.17.3
HAR Number
665
Published references
*Linrothe, Robert N., Christian Luczanits, and Melissa R. Kerin. Collecting Paradise: Buddhist Art of Kashmir and its Legacies. New York: Rubin Museum of Art, and Northwestern University: Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, 2014. pp. 178-179, Fig. 3.28, fn. pp. 195.* Rob Linrothe, Holy Madness: Portraits of Tantric Siddhas. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art; Chicago: Serindia Publications, 2006). Catalog No.15; Pp. 220, 221, 225, 229, 286* Jackson, David. "Lineages and Structure in Tibetan Buddhist Painting: Principles and Practice of an Ancient Sacred Choreography." Journal of the International Association of Tibetan Studies, No. 1 (October 2005): pp. 15.* Marylin M. Rhie and Robert A.F. Thurman. Worlds of Transformation: Tibetan Art and Wisdom of Compassion. (New York: Tibet House, 1999). Cat. 168; Pp. 426-427.* Van Alphen, J. Collection Highlights: Rubin Museum of Art. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2014). Pp. 78-79

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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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Lineage

Concepts

The transmission of teachings from one generation to the next, from teacher to student, traced all the way back to the Buddha without interruption. A complete lineage is essential in Tantric Buddhist practices as it makes the blessings of the teaching more powerful.

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Transmission

Concepts

The passing down of authentic Buddhist teachings from a teacher to a disciple or student, often in the form of a text in a ritualistic context.

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Buddhas

Figure Type

An awakened being who understands the true nature of reality and is free from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. While there are many buddhas, Siddhartha Gautama is the historical Buddha, whose teachings became the foundation of Buddhism.

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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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