Rubin Museum of Art

Spiral

Perspectives at the intersection of art, science, and Himalayan cultures
painting of a cloud with various animal heads emerging and abstract shapes made of human-like forms scattered across the canvas
Uuriintuya Dagvasambuu Plays with Color and Rhythm
The Mongolian artist reflects on her inspirations, creative process, and connections to the Rubin
InterviewsContemporary Art Forms
Wrathful Activity, Fierce Energy
Mindfulness Meditation with Michel Pascal
Theme: Fierce Compassion
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
student holding an artwork in progress
Cultivating Compassion: Mandala Lab in Your Classroom
Teaching emotional awareness to students through Himalayan art and its insights
Behind the Scenes
Tree (Field) of Refuge for Geluk Tibetan Buddhist Tradition
Mindfulness Meditation with Kimberly Brown
Theme: Loving Future
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
A Viewer’s Guide to Wrathful Iconography in Himalayan Art
Learning the visual and symbolic language of the flames, skulls, weapons, and more
Traditional Himalayan ArtBuddhism
Vasudhara and Hvashang
Mindfulness Meditation with Rebecca Li
Theme: Loving Future
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
split image of a detail of Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies on the left and a blue background with "Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies
Dr. Karl Debreczeny and Dr. Beth Harris examine a masterfully made appliqué depicting a Tibetan female protector deity
Himalayan Art Up Close
split image of a detail of Padmasambhava, his eight manifestations, and scenes from his life on the left and a blue background with "Padmasambhava, His Eight Manifestations, and Scenes from His Life" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Padmasambhava and His Eight Manifestations
Rubin Museum Senior Curator Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker explain the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava through a painting of the Indian Buddhist master
Himalayan Art Up Close
split image of a sculpture of Parvati on the left and a blue background with "Kashmira" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Kashmira
Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker look at a beautiful sculpture of the Hindu goddess Kashmira
Himalayan Art Up Close
split image of a detail of Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the Bardo on the left and a blue background with "Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the Bardo" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the Bardo
Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Dr. Steven Zucker explore the Buddhist concept of the bardo—the state in between death and rebirth
Himalayan Art Up Close
Namkhai Nyingpo Performing a Long-Life Ritual
Mindfulness Meditation with Lavina Shamdasani
Theme: Loving Future
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
split image of a detail of Kalachakra Cosmology Illustration on the left and a blue background with "Kalachakra Cosmology Illustration" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Kalachakra Cosmology Illustration
Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Dr. Beth Harris explore the Buddhist cosmological view expressed in the texts and practices of the Kalachakra Tantra
Himalayan Art Up Close
split image of a sculpture of Drenpa Namkha on the left and a blue background with "Drenpa Namkha" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Drenpa Namkha, Bon Teacher
Dr. Karl Debreczeny and Dr. Beth Harris contextualize a sculpture depicting Bon master Drenpa Namkha
Himalayan Art Up Close
split image of map on the left and a blue background with "Pilgrimage Map of Mt. Wutai" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Pilgrimage Map of Mt. Wutai
Dr. Karl Debreczeny and Dr. Beth Harris chart a map of a sacred mountain believed to be the earthly abode of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom Manjushri
Himalayan Art Up Close
split image of a saddle on the left and a blue background with the word "Saddle" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Saddle, Tibetan or Mongolian
Dr. Karl Debreczeny and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker examine a richly decorated Himalayan saddle
Himalayan Art Up Close
Stupa
Mindfulness Meditation with Tracy Cochran
Theme: Loving Future
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
A man behind a torma against a black background
Making a Torma
Watch how a Tibetan Buddhist ritual sculpture is created
Traditional Himalayan Art
child focused on an art project with colorful markers
March 1, 2026 1:00–3:00 PM Pier 57 West 15th Street New York, NY Holi Family Celebration
Learn about Holi traditions and welcome spring with read-alouds, dance workshops, artmaking activities, and more!
News & Events
Monks in Nepal consecrate an altar with assorted tormas during the Mani Rimdu festival
What Are Tormas?
These ritual objects made of dough are offerings, forms of protection, receptacles for the divine, and more
BuddhismTraditional Himalayan Art
Buddha’s Birth, from a Set of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha
Mindfulness Meditation with Kimberly Brown
Theme: New Beginnings
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
colorful painting of the deity Mahakala on a reflective gold surface
January 23, 2026 Spiral Magazine 2026 Explores Wrath
Issue 10 of Spiral magazine explores the concept of wrath as an energy wielded with intention, skill, and compassion to offer protection or remove obstacles
News & Events
Wrathful Wisdom: Vajrabhairava
This terrifying deity is armed with the skillful means to transform
Traditional Himalayan ArtArt InteractivesMagazine
Bold, dramatic statue or tableau of the Hindu goddess Kali in a dynamic pose.
The Divine Wrath of Hindu Goddesses
Kali and Durga possesses transformative powers
Scholarly PerspectivesHinduismMagazine
What My Rage Showed Me
An activist and filmmaker learned how to access her anger to heal and overturned some long-held beliefs about the relationship between rage and love along the way
Personal PerspectivesHealingMagazine
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