In Himalayan cultures most objects are created with a specific purpose, often in the context of religious practices or special occasions marking life events, but also as part of everyday secular activities. These images and objects function as part of living practices, whether individual, familial, professional, or communal.
In Himalayan cultures religious merit is the overarching reason for creating, commissioning, dedicating, and using religious works of art. Tied closely to the concept of karma, merit is an investment in the future that can bring about results in this lifetime or future ones.
The creation of religious objects, including paintings and sculptures, is a meritorious activity dedicated to the benefit of all. Sometimes paintings are commissioned and dedicated to ensure a fortunate rebirth for deceased loved ones; other times they are intended to increase the odds of a living person leading a long life free of sickness and obstacles. Merit is also accumulated just by looking at sacred objects and praying to the deity or buddha represented.
In daily life ritual objects called prayer wheels are used for the “virtual” recitation of invocations (mantras). These objects range in size from handheld to giant. The act of rotating them is said to equal the reading of a mantra, allowing practitioners to accumulate thousands of recitations. Turning prayer wheels and walking around symbolic representations of the Buddha’s mind (stupas) are the most common Buddhist practices believed to bring great merit.
Ritual informs the structure of religious life in the Himalayas, defining the daily routine of practitioners and shaping a range of community-based activities.
SC2012.7.2 Rubin Museum of Art Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin
Prayer wheels are ritual implements containing written prayers and mantras. They can be as large as buildings or, like this one, fit in the palm of a hand. In this example the cylinder that houses mantras is turned clockwise with the help of the counterweight. This process is believed to release the mantras and benefit the person turning the wheel, all living beings, and the environment. The cylinder is called the relics depository because mantras are considered a sacred material that powers the wheel. In Tibetan Buddhist traditions, mantras are believed to be part of the Buddha’s teachings, and by extension, considered sacred dharma relics. Tibetan Buddhist images of deities are usually consecrated by writing mantras on the reverse of the painting or inserting them into the sculpture. This consecration ritual establishes the deity in the image.
Rubin Museum of Art, "Handheld Prayer Wheel - A Video Analysis from Smarthistory and the Rubin Museum," YouTube, April 5, 2024, 6:32, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS8rUGVV-8Y.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Cum nihil placeat pariatur deserunt eius ullam incidunt maxime sunt ipsam. Ipsa, provident, laudantium, rem assumenda laboriosam veniam autem voluptas sint officia distinctio enim aut explicabo fuga animi voluptatum earum recusandae excepturi atque dignissimos iste? Exercitationem, praesentium eum. Harum ut maiores expedita exercitationem perspiciatis soluta aperiam dolores natus unde, sequi vitae debitis ex aliquam quas eum reprehenderit esse. Cumque amet et earum necessitatibus, repellendus ullam ducimus corporis architecto culpa placeat eum odit cum iure illo vitae rerum! Ullam et suscipit culpa? Eos voluptatum laudantium iste vero impedit adipisci maxime magni natus voluptatibus.
Sign up for our emails
Get the latest news and stories from the Rubin, plus occasional information on how to support our work.
