This week’s meditation session is led by Rebecca Li and the theme is Illumination. The guided meditation begins at  21:49.

The Buddhist goddess, Marichi appears in many forms. This sculpture presents her as an attendant to the goddess, Tara. Marichi holds a vajra in her right hand and a branch of the ashoka tree in her left hand. This figure was most likely placed to the right of a sculpture of Tara, which would have stood at the head of a set of twenty-one sculptures representing Tara’s various forms. It may have been part of the collection of the Bogdo Khan Palace Museum in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

This sculpture is attributed to the exceptional Mongolian artist, Zanabazar who lived from 1635 until 1723 and his workshop. Characteristics of Zanabazar’s work include the patterned etching on Marichi’s garments, the warm patina of the gilding, Marichi’s round face and her “bee-stung” lips. Zanabazar was Mongolia’s first incarnate lama and the leader of Mongolian Buddhism. His sculptural style continues to have a profound influence to this day. 

As the Goddess of the Dawn, Marichi is known for removing obstacles with her radiant light. She illuminates our path. As we behold Marichi, let’s envision our path becoming smooth and free of obstructions.