Scenes from the Early Life of the Buddha

Panchen Lama rebirth lineage portraits, set of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Senge Dradok, One of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava

Kham Province, Eastern Tibet 18th century

Dorje Drolo, One of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava

Kham Province, Eastern Tibet 19th century

Nyima Oser, One of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava

Tibet 18th century

Loden Chokse, One of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava

Kham Province, Eastern Tibet 19th century

Pema Gyelpo, One of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava

Eastern Tibet early 20th century

Orgyen Dorje Chang, One of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava

Eastern Tibet 19th century

Padmasambhava, Pema Jungne

Kham Province, Eastern Tibet late 18th-19th century

Four Mandalas of the Vajravali Cycle

Ewam Choden Monastery, Tsang region, central Tibet 1429–1456

Blue-skinned, many-armed, cow- and human-headed deity in dynamic pose before fiery nimbus

Vajrabhairava Solitary of Rwa Lotsawa Tradition

Western mural painting in Hevajra Chapel, middle floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476

Two blue-skinned, many-armed deities holding implements, locked in embrace before fiery nimbus

Hevajra

Northern mural painting in Hevajra Chapel, middle floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476

Deity and consort locked in embrace, holding spiritual implements, surrounded by deity portraits

Drenpa Namkha (ca. 8th century)

Amdo Province, Eastern Tibet 19th century

Painting mounted on orange brocade depicting lama seated amidst deity and lama portraits

Bon Lama Sanggye Lingpa (1705-1735)

Gyelrong, Eastern Tibet 19th century

Wrathful deity stands in dynamic pose before fiery nimbus, surrounded by deity portraits

Bon Lama, Rinchen Gyeltsen (1415-1446)

Central Tibet 18th century

Rectangular tea-brown page featuring Tibetan text flanked by printed portraits of wrathful deities

Four-armed Mahakala, left, and Remati, right

Ron Wosel Puk, Tibet 1538

Stirrups belonging to the equestrian set of Yuthok Tashi Dhondup

Tibetan, Derge ca. 1943–1947

Many-armed, blue-skinned deity locked in embrace with orange-skinned deity holds animal pelt behind back

The Buddhist Deities Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi

Tibet (by a Newar artist) ca. 15th century

The "Three Silver Brothers" Manjushri - Avalokiteshvara - Vajrapani (left to right)

Western Tibet, Puhrang area early 13th century

Painting on cloth depicting Buddha seated on lotus pedestal, surrounded by attendants, before mountainous background

Mold for clay image (tsatsa) of Buddha Amitayus

Himalayan region 19th century

Religious implement in vajra shape: two open spheres formed by curved prongs connected by shaft

Attendant Figure to Vaishravana

Tibet 16th century

Bodhisattvas Maitreya and Manjushri in Tushita Pure Realm

Tibet early 20th century

Cup made from human skull mounted on brass tripod, decorated with face of deity, skulls, and garland motif

Chakrasamvara with Consort Vajravarahi

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century

Rectangular ink-stained woodblock incised with dense text and image; lozenge-shaped handle at top

Woodblock for printing prayer flag

Himalayan region ca. 19th–early 20th century

Silver religious implement with turquoise accents; ball and chain attached to rotating cylinder mounted on wooden handle

Frontispiece from The Great Destroyer of the Thousand Foes (Mahasahasrapramardani) Sutra Manuscript

Tibet ca. 13th–14th century

Bodhisattva wearing five-pointed crown and billowing blue sash seated atop lotus pedestal before mountainous landscape

Tara as Protectress from the Eight Fears

Eastern Tibet 19th century

Painting in reds and golds depicting Buddha seated in meditation amidst grid of dozens of miniature portraits

Tara, as a Great Yogini, After a Set of Paintings “Twenty-seven Tantric Deities” designed by Situ Panchen (1700-1774)

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century

Buddha wearing crown and golden necklaces, left hand held in mudra at chest, consort appearing from behind right shoulder

Vairochana, From a Set of Initiation Cards (Taskali)

Tibet ca. 14th century

Bodhisattva holding long-stemmed blossom sits before landscape surrounded by dozens of portraits in grid arrangement

Ratnasambhava, From a Set of Initiation Cards (Tsakali)

Tibet ca. 14th century

Bronze-colored sculpture depicting Bodhisattva seated on lotus pedestal, torso inclined to the right, holding blossoms

Medical Painting of Minor Connecting Blood Vessels or Capillaries, Illustration to the Medical Treatise The Blue Beryl, Chapter 4

Tibet 18th century

12 bronze-colored medical instruments with vajra-tipped handles: scalpels, probes, and hooks

Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyelsten

Tsang region, central Tibet 18th century

Medical chart featuring scenes arranged in registers divided into cells depicting patients in conversation with doctors

Medical Painting on Prophylactics, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Principles, Illustration to the Medical Treatise the Blue Beryl, Chapters 23–28

Central Tibet 19th century

Black and white print depicting woman clasping tree branch under cloud-filled sky amidst buildings and garden

Buddha’s Birth, from a set of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha, Print from a woodblock

Derge Printing House, Kham region, eastern Tibet after 1960

Wrathful deity standing on haunches before fiery nimbus, holding staff in arms and implements in hands

Birth of the Buddha, from a set of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha, after a carved woodblock

Tibet 20th century

Tarnished brass-colored sculpture depicting wrathful deity wearing crown and billowing robes holding staff across body

Buddha Vairochana

China Qing dynasty (1644–1911), ca. 19th century

Painting depicting Bodhisattva wearing flared dhoti and golden belt standing amongst small deity portraits, above rows of attendants

Red Avalokiteshvara or Bunga Dya

Nepal dated by inscription, 1818

Six-armed deity stands in embrace with blue-skinned consort surrounded by deity portraits above sparse landscape

Refuge Field with Machik Labdron (1055–1153)

Tibet early 20th century

Buddha hovers, left hand extended towards ground, above landscape dotted with buildings and groups of figures

Life Story of Buddha Shakyamuni

Tibet 19th century

Tarnished copper sculpture depicting many-armed and -headed deity standing with feet planted firmly apart

Buddha Shakyamuni and Teaching Stories (Avadana)

Central Tibet late 18th–19th century

Siddha holds left hand to back of head as he floats above rocky landscape dotted with buildings and groups of figures

Milarepa and Scenes from His Life

Tibet 18th century

Philosopher seated at left gazes at mountainous landscape dotted with magnificent buildings and groups of figures

Life Story of Tsongkhapa (1357–1419)

Tibet 18th century

Guru wearing saffron robe sits on lotus pedestal, hovering above landscape dotted with buildings and scenes

Padmasambhava and his eight manifestations

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century

Detail of painting depicting Enlightened Teacher in brocade robe tending to head of figure crouching at right

Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye (1813-1899)

Eastern Tibet early 20th century

Rongzom Chokyi Zangpo (1012-1088)

Eastern Tibet 18th century

Gold- and silver-colored sculpture depicting monk wearing pleated robe, holding long-stemmed blossoms in hands

The Fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso (1617–1682) with Previous Incarnations

Central Tibet 18th century

Bronze-colored sculpture depicting four-armed Bodhisattva seated on lotus pedestal; tightly wound textile scroll attached to front left arm

Temple Banner with Seven Symbols of Royal Power and Offerings

Tibet 19th century

Siddha wearing magnificent blue, gold, and red garments seated in pastoral setting, accompanied by consort or deity

Indrabhuti, from a set of the Eight Great Adepts (Mahasiddhas)

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century

Wrathful deity wearing crown of skulls rides on yellow horse before nimbus of green flames

Chabui (r); album leaf from Album of the Bust Portraits of Yuan Empresses (Yuandai hou banshen xiang shou ce 元代后半身像手冊)

probably Daidu (Beijing), China Yuan dynasty (1279–1368)

Pencil drawing depicting two building complexes situated on peak and spur of mountain outcropping

Chakrasamvara and the Footprints of Drigungpa Jikten Sumgon (1143–1217)

Tibet before 1217

Golden statuette depicting two deities locked in embrace and surrounded by sculptural, billowing sashes

Chakrasamvara in Union with Vajravarahi

central Tibet ca. 1386

Teacher seated against landscape, surrounded by clusters of portraits representing his lineage and various deities

Damchen, the Oath-Bound Protector

Gura Sharkha, Minyak, Kham region, eastern Tibet dated 1655

Demon-Binding Against Sickness

Dolpo region, western Nepal ca. 1975

Monochrome woodblock print depicting seated regent gazing below at attendants, surrounded above by deity portraits

Desi Sanggye Gyatso (1653–1705)

Tibet 17th century

Stylized female figure holding planet Earth, beset by flame and flood, in mouth as snake emerges from her pregnant belly

Detail of a nobleman’s robe

Delgerkhaan soum, Khentii Province, Mongolia Mongol Imperial period, 14th century

Painting on rectangular cloth depicting six scenes arranged in two columns and three rows

Bunga Dyo, the Legend of Red Avalokiteshvara

Nepal 1712

Four ladies wearing resplendent robes recline amongst collection of pitchers and other metal vessels

Detail of Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies, from lower right of painting, showing four ladies with a range of vessels including a two-toned, open-top pitcher with spout and handle

Amdo region, eastern Tibet 19th century

Seated Buddha and attendants assembled in circle look upon beasts being slain by two figures

Detail of Morality Tale of Vidura from chapter 76 in the Wish-fulfilling Vine (Bodhisattvavadanakalpalata)

Southern mural painting of the original Main Assembly Hall, ground floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gangto Village, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476

Mural in photorealistic style depicting Lama seated on ornate golden throne above group of lamas and deities

Detail of Mural of Fourteenth Dalai Lama Receiving International Dignitaries

Norbulingka, Lhasa, Tibet 1956

Black and white photograph of tapered structure surrounded at base by registers of decoration and deity statues

Detail of Second Tashi Gomang

Densatil Monastery, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) erected from 1360 for Drakpa Gyeltsen

Rabbit with velvety fur places paw in bowl brimming with white pellets before diaphanous tree branches

Detail of Two Arhats and Heshang with a Woman Washing Daikon

Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China dated 1660

Close view of saffron-robed figure seated with hands posed in mudras before orange nimbus

Detail of Two Indian and Four Tibetan Masters

central Tibet early 13th century

Deity at center of monumental stupa with lotus base surrounded by figures floating above verdant landscape

Ushnishavijaya

Tibet 18th century

Manuscript featuring landscape with stupas, pagodas and clouds at left, text in different languages at right

Detail of Yongle Handscroll, “Delivering the Soul of Ming Taizu,” at Lingusi, Nanjing, with inscriptions in Chinese, Persian, Tay, Tibetan, and Mongolian

China 1407

27 golden Buddha statues, turned away from viewer, mounted in six rows with backsides protruding from blue wall

Do What You Love

2010

Tarnished statuette depicting figure seated with hands clasped at chest and right knee raised

Donor Figure

western Nepal/western Tibet 13th–14th century

Line drawing depicting female deity dancing atop supine figure overlaid with red rectangular grid pattern

Drawing of Vajravarahi

ca. 1687

Patinated bronze hand bell featuring handle decorated with faces and vajra-shaped pommel

Drilbu Bell Claimed to Have Been Discovered by Dorje Lingpa

Thimpu, Bhutan discovered in the 14th century

Red-robed figure uses hammer and chisel on stylized brown and green rock face before attendants and altar

Dungtso Repa Extracting Treasure, detail of a thangka

Gangteng Monastery, Nubding, Bhutan

Orange-red bird with outstretched wings underneath line drawing of horned animal on beige pockmarked rock

Eagle and Wild Herbivore

Zhamar Puk, Tashi Dochung, Lake Namtso, Tibet Protohistoric period (ca. 100–600 CE)

Full view of large drum mounted horizontally on dark stone base in elephant shape

Elephant-skin drum with stone base inside Longguodian (Hall of Dynastic Prosperity)

China Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

Smooth, purple-brown figurine of a sheep featuring curved horn, prominent musculature, and wooly neck

Figurine of a Wild Sheep

closely associated with western Tibet Protohistoric period (ca. 100 BCE to 600 CE)

Rectangular tea-brown page featuring Tibetan text and illumination at left; fragments missing from right side

First Folio from The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa, and detail with Milarepa; Drakkar Taso; 1550–1555; xylographic print on paper; folio 4-1/8 x 20 in. (10.5 x 51 cm); British Library, OPB 19999a3

Drakkar Taso 1550–1555

Tea-brown page with red border featuring Tibetan text and illuminations in color interspersed amongst text

Folios from a Biography of Milarepa

Tibet 17th–18th century

Mandala with blue textile border at top and bottom; panel of yellow textile raised to reveal painting.

Forty-Three-Deity Mandala of Manjuvajra

central Tibet 1375–1380

Saffron-colored painting mounted on orange and yellow brocade depicting seated Lama surrounded by small figures

Fourth Panchen Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570–1662), with previous incarnations

Tsang region, central Tibet mid-17th century

Page featuring four lines of text above illumination depicting four deities in blue squares against red background; bottom right corner of page torn away

Fragmentary page from a Prajnaparamita Sutra manuscript

Toling 11th century

Rectangular page featuring Tibetan text at center flanked by two portraits: Bodhisattva at left; Wrathful deity at right

Frontispiece from the Great Destroyer of the Thousand Foes (Mahasahasrapramardani) Sutra Manuscript

Tibet ca. 13th–14th century

Line drawing on beige paper depicting seated Buddha and retinue amid profusion of elaborate patterns and forms

Frontispiece of the Chinese translation of Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra (Diamond Sutra)

Dunhuang, present-day Gansu Province, China 11 May 868 CE

Monk seated in tree, surrounded by dozens of portraits, which hang like leaves from the branches

Geluk Refuge Field with Tsongkhapa

central Tibet ca. late 18th–early 19th century

Ghantapa as one of the Eight Great Tantric Adepts

Kham region, eastern Tibet 18th century

Six long rectangular pages bearing script and two puncture holes each; top page features deity portrait in center

Pancharaksha (Five Protections) illuminated manuscript

Nepal 1138

Two pencil drawings: at top, man walks on all fours toward base of deity statue; At bottom, man lies supine upon bed of nails

Going on Pilgrimage on All Fours and An Ascetic Sleeping on the Points of a Thousand Wooden Spikes

India ca. 1940

Green-skinned Bodhisattva seated on throne decorated with animals and stupas; Left foot rests on lotus blossom

Green Tara

central Tibet ca. 1260s

Green-skinned goddess seated underneath arched structure bearing deity portraits and floral motifs in light blues

Green Tara

Khara Khoto, Inner Mongolia, China; Western Xia late 12th–13th century

Brasswork featuring etched image of seated Buddha enclosed by arched structure and two patterned, horseshoe-shaped bands

Halo with etched Buddha at Awakening and Attendants

Kashmir ca. 720

Glass cylinder featuring three stone-decorated bands mounted on spindle; green jade handle at right

Handheld Prayer Wheel

Tibet 19th–20th century

Small, green, double-headed drum attached with cord to long tassel embroidered with religious motifs

Handheld Drum (Damaru)

Tibet or Mongolia early 20th century

Gridded square with ten columns and ten rows, each containing plant illustration and accompanying text

Herbal Medicines, Painting 26 of the Tibetan Medical Paintings, Ulan Ude Set

Lhasa, central Tibet early 20th-century copy of original from ca. 1687–1697

Photograph of t-shirt-shaped objects mounted on poles at shore of body of water before mountain range

Installation work in the exhibition Keepers of the Water

Lhasa 1996

Scene featuring dynamically posed nude figures gathering around robed figure and tiered structure within garden setting

Jataka of the Bodhisattva Sonam Tob (Story 90); north wall of the ground-floor circumambulatory passage

Zhalu Monastery; Tsang District, central Tibet 14th century

Mottled copper religious implement in stupa shape with canopy and lotus blossom at top

Kadampa-style Reliquary Stupa

Tibet 13th or 14th century

Lama wearing red brocade robe seated before body of water amidst trees, animals, and attendants

Kagyu Lama with Four Lineage Gurus

Tibet ca. late 16th century

Black and white photograph of mule with elaborately decorated harness, head ornaments, string of bells at neck, and saddle carpet

Kala, Maultier des Postreiters (Kala, mule of the post rider)

Tibet 1938 or 1939

Four illustrations on rectangular beige folio: concentric circles, gridded color fields, and human anatomical illustration

Kalachakra Cosmology Illustrations

Tibet 16th century

Painting mounted on brown damask depicting lama seated before rocky outcropping, flanked by attendants

Karmapa in Cave (Tenth Karmapa, Sixth Gyeltsab, and Kuntu Zangpo)

Tibet or Gyeltang, northern Yunnan 17th century (ca. 1668–1674)

Mottled sepia textile featuring angled footprints standing astride deity seated upon lotus amid floral motifs

Karmapa with His Footprints

central Tibet late 12th–early 13th century

Monarch wearing pea-green robe and black headdress depicted sitting, holding scroll in right hand

King of Lijiang, Mu Zeng (1598–1646; r. 1598–1624/46), Official Portrait

Lijiang, China Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

Lama seated on throne with vajra in left hand, suspended above mountainous landscape, surrounded by portraits

Lama Chogyur Lingpa (1829–1870)

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century

Wind instrument made from human leg bone; shaft covered in copper sheath, joint wrapped with natural material

Leg Bone Trumpet (Kang Ling)

Tibet 18th–19th century

Tarnished, gilded relief sculpture depicting rider on horseback before background featuring figures in miniature

Lhamo

Densatil Monastery, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1407–1408

Black and white photograph of four people, one with umbrella, gathering around camera on tripod

Lhasa Newars with Camera

Lhasa 1940s

Black and white photograph of people inspecting collection of wool bales floating on water at shoreline

Lhasa, der Wollhafen mit Details (Lhasa, wool port with details)

Lhasa 1938 or 1939

Armored men mounted on horseback, carrying spears and standards, assemble at base of mountain range

Lhasa, die große Neujahrsparade (Lhasa, the great New Year’s parade)

Lhasa 1938 or 1939

Silver statuette depicting seated figure with left hand posed in mudra, right hand holding implement

Life Portrait of the Sixth Zhamar, Garwang Chokyi Wangchuk (1584–1630)

Tibet early 17th century (before 1630)

Life Story of Buddha Shakyamuni

Tibet 19th century

Line drawing in ink depicting central circle inscribed with text superimposed atop boar with bristling fur

Livestock Charm

primarily Dolpo region, Nepal since 1975

Major Events of the Buddha's Life

Northeastern India 12th century

Rectangular textile depicting seated Bodhisattva surrounded by eight smaller deities against background of red and gold

Mandala of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in Several Different Aspects: Padmapani, Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, Chintamanichakra Avalokiteshvara, and Amoghapasha at center

Dunhuang, China period of Tibetan rule (ca. 781–848)

Mandala mounted on blue and gold textile border featuring deity portraits at bottom and background landscape

Mandala of Sarvavid Vairocana (Durgatiparisodhana from the Vajradhatu Mandala Series)

Inner Mongolia or Beijing ca. 18th century

Sacred painting composed of geometric forms adorned with symbolic motifs; deep-red with accents in green, blue, yellow, and white

Mandala of the Buddhist Deity Chakrasamvara

Nepal dated 1490

Line drawing featuring Buddha at center surrounded by concentric rings and square frames decorated with symbols and figures

Mandala with the Five Dhyani (Meditation) Buddhas, symbolic of the five cosmic elements, identifiable as Vairochana (center), Amitabha (top), Ratnasambhava (left), Amoghasiddhi (right); and Akshobhya (bottom)

Dunhuang, China ca. 851–900

Man stands behind religious implement in the form of tiered building decorated with red beads

Manip displaying tashi gomang during Buddhist festival

Punakha, Bhutan 1981

Silver statuette of seated, crowned Bodhisattva, left arm raising sword, with sash billowing about shoulders

Manjushri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom

Tibet 11th century

Figure seated before blue nimbus, flanked by attendants and animals, below three scenes depicted amongst clouds

Marpa Lotsawa (1012–1097)

Tibet 17th century

Painting mounted on brocade border depicting seated figure surrounded by small portraits against mountain landscape

Medical Lineage Holders, Painting 80 of the Tibetan Medical Paintings, Lhasa Set

Lhasa, central Tibet early 20th century

Water-damaged mural depicting Yogi wearing white robe, seated with hands posed in mudras

Milarepa (ca. 1028–1111)

"Milarepa's Tower," Sekar Gutok, Lhodrak, southern Tibet 1200–1250

Close view of light-gray earthenware model of stupa featuring clearly demarcated staircases and moldings

Molded Clay Image (Tsatsa) of a Stupa Molded in the Round

Toling Monastery, Ngari region, western Tibet 11th–12th century

Well-defined stupa featuring tiered base and conical tower surrounded by lines of Tibetan text

Molded Clay Image (Tsatsa) of the “Descent from Heaven”

Guge, Ngari region, western Tibet 11th–12th century

Silver pitcher with crown-shaped rim and golden decoration at base and neck; features dragon handle

Monk’s Cap Silver Pitcher

Tibet 19th century

Black and white photograph of monks carrying parasols, billowing in wind, at base of hilltop palace

Monks on the “Golden Procession”

Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet ca. 1936–1950

Three-dimensional golden mandala in the form of palace situated atop four cylinders of decreasing diameter

Mount Meru Palace Mandala

Yachengar Monastery, Kham region, eastern Tibet (present-day Sichuan Province)

Mural depicting wrathful deity with red skin wearing animal and human pelts, standing before flames

Mural of Hayagriva

Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996

Mural depicting seated Guru wearing resplendent robes in blue, saffron patchwork, and red-and-gold brocade

Mural of Padmasambhava

Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996

Mural depicting oracle outlined in flames wearing gold headdress, red and gold robe, and cascading ribbons

Mural of the Nechung Oracle Shakya Yarpel (fl. 1856–1900)

Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996

Mural depicting blue-skinned wrathful deity and his consort locked in embrace; both wear skull crowns

Mural of Yamantaka, one of the Eight Sadhana Teaching Deities

Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996

Mural depicting serpents and three flayed human skins painted to appear to hang from blue timber rafters

Murals of Human Skins

Courtyard, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996

Mural depicting fearsome deity and attendants outlined in flames traveling through green landscape

Murals of Pehar’s Retinue

Courtyard, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996

Monumental porch featuring blue timbered ceiling and red columns covering two large murals flanking ornate portal

Murals of the Red and Black Butchers

Western Entrance, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996

Two lines of arabesques marked with red ink on sepia paper; text and illumination at right

Musical Notations of Mahakala Melodies Written by the Ninth Karmapa (Tib. Mgon po’i dbyangs yig Karma pa dgu pa’i phyag bris), pages 44 and 63

Two philosopher monks seated on water-bound platform underneath vaporous cloud leading to deity portrait

Nagarjuna and Aryadeva, after Situ’s set of The Six Ornaments and Two Excellent Ones

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century

Figure dressed in blue robe decorated with fearsome face leans toward white religious implement decorated with yarn lozenges

Namra Tseku, detail of thangka

Tibet

Red-robed lama sits with hands posed in mudras in natural landscape amidst deities and attendants

Ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1555–1603)

Central Tibet late 16th century

Padmapani Lokeshvara

Tibet 17th century

Copper sculpture featuring open, almond-shaped nimbus supporting seated holy man surrounded by twelve smaller figures

Padmasambhava and His Eight Manifestations

Tibet 16th century

Painting in acid tones depicting white chaitya situated in mountain landscape surrounded by irregular grid of portraits

Painted Scroll of Bhimaratha Ritual

Hāku Bāhāḥ, Kathmandu, Nepal dated by inscription January 1830

Dusky painting depicting stupa structure against landscape and registers of scenes and deity portraits

Painted Scroll of Laksha Chaitya Ritual

Kathmandu, Nepal dated by inscription January 1808

Deity dances upon lotus pedestal, beneath deity portraits, while raising drum in left hand

Painting of Machik Labdron (1055–1153)

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century

Painting depicting bird’s-eye view of prominent palace, temples, and monasteries in green mountain valley

Painting of Temples and Monasteries of Lhasa

Kham region, eastern Tibet 1900–1920

Golden statuette of crowned deity with left palm facing viewer and right hand on hip

Pakpa Lokeshvara (copy of the original in the Potala Palace, Lhasa)

central Tibet 13th–14th century

Polished brown stone sculpture with gold and red pigment depicting grimacing deity before nimbus of flames

Panjaranatha Mahakala

Tibet 15th century

Fearsome deity bearing crown of skulls standing before smoldering nimbus of flames surrounded by floating deity portraits

Panjarnatha Mahakala

Tibet 18th century

Beige and green mural depicting in fine detail various buildings and features of mountainous landscape

Panoramic View of Mount Wutai

Mogao Cave 61, Dunhuang, northwestern Gansu Province, China ca. 948

Mother, father, and son, all dressed in sumptuous brocades, pose for photograph in grove of trees

Phunkhang Yabshi Kung, his wife and son

Tibet 1948

Enlightened teacher holds implement in hands at chest; flanked by attendants and surrounded by portrait border

Portrait of Vanaratna (1384–1468)

central Tibet 15th century

Golden-faced silver statuette depicting seated lama with left hand raised in mudra wearing finely modeled robe

Portrait Sculpture of the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje (1555–1603)

Central Tibet 1598

Rectangular page featuring lines of Tibetan script and illumination depicting deity seated above offerings and kneeling figures

Prajnaparamita with Devotees; folio from a Shatasahasrika Prajnaparamita manuscript (The Perfection of Wisdom)

Toling Monastery, Ngari region, western Tibet 11th century

Loosely arranged string of turquoise beads with carved bone centerpiece and five dark-blue tassels

Prayer Beads (trengwa)

Tibet 19th century

Lama seated on throne with orange cloud-motif backrest amidst portraits of Buddha, wrathful deities, and lamas

Sixth Panchen Lobzang Pelden Yeshe (1738–1780), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Monarch encircled by fluttering scarves sits in forecourt of magnificent building and addresses throng of people

Manjushriyashas (Jampel Drak), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Bearded philosopher sits on riverside porch and recoils from grey-skinned figure at right

Bhaviveka (Lekden Je, ca. 500–ca. 578), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Monk in brilliant orange robe with serpent at left shoulder gestures with left hand against menacing figures at left

Abhayakaragupta (Jigme Jungne Bapa, d. 1125), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Translator wearing sumptuous orange robe sits before pupils at their books beneath towering mountain range

Go Lotsawa Khukpa Lhetse (11th century), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Monk seated on blue throne extends right hand to grey-skinned figure at bottom right

Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyeltsen (1182–1251), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Disciple in tremulous saffron robe inclines head and extends right hand towards monstrous deity at right

Yungton Dorje Pel (1284–1365), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Lama wearing saffron patchwork robe, holding white prayer scarf, gazes at table adorned with implements and blossoms

[First Panchen] Khedrubje Gelek Pelzang (1385–1438), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Lama wearing resplendent saffron robe extends right hand in mudra towards wrathful deity at bottom right

[Second Panchen] Sonam Choklang (1439–1504), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Monk seated at bank of rushing river extends right hand to serpent deities swimming in water

Subhuti (Rabjor), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Lama seated on throne upholstered with red-and-gold brocade above two wrathful deities beneath three portraits

Fourth Panchen Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1567–1662), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Lama wearing pointed headdress sits before group of attendants beside riverbank in mountain landscape

[Third Panchen] Wensapa Lobzang Dondrub (1505–1566), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Lama enthroned outside of building complex on mountain spur, surrounded by deity and lama portraits

Fifth Panchen Lobzang Yeshe (1663–1737), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century

Astrological chart featuring circle surrounded by portraits in top half, circle surrounded by text and scenes in bottom half

Protective Astrological Chart

Tibet late 18th or early 19th century

Four lines of text inscribed in gold on blue background, enclosed in gold frame, positioned underneath thangka

Qianlong as Manjushri-Chakravartin (brought to Lhasa in 1757–1758 at the death of the Seventh Dalai Lama) in front a Qing imperial tablet (brought in 1722 during the enthronement of the Seventh Dalai Lama)

Hall of Victory over Three Realms, Red Palace of the Potala, Lhasa, Tibet

At left, page featuring Chinese script; at right, three-quarter portrait of bearded man; framed and separated by yellow border

Qubilai Khan; album leaf from Album of the Bust Portraits of Yuan Emperors (Yuandai di banshen xiang ce 元代帝半身像冊)

probably Daidu (Beijing), China Yuan dynasty (1279–1368)

Wrathful red- and pink-skinned deities stand locked in embrace atop prone figure and hooved animal before fiery nimbus

Raktayamari

Imperial Workshop, South China Ming Yongle period (r. 1403–1424)

Crowned Buddha seated on lotus throne, surrounded by attendants and deities arranged in registers

Ratnasambhava

central Tibet ca. mid-13th century

Medium view under blue sky of low-slung rust-red temple building featuring stupas at corners of roof

Red Temple (Dukhang)

Toling, western Tibet founded 996

Beaded ritual garment in lattice pattern featuring belt with pointed oblong forms decorated with portraits

Ritual Bone Apron

Tibet/Nepal 18th–19th century

Carving on cracked stone of three stacked rectangles of decreasing width topped by roughly circular form

Rock Carving (petroglyph) of a Ritual Stepped Structure

Kabren Pungri, Rutok, western Tibet Protohistoric period (ca. 100–600 CE)

Photograph of faded image depicting deities painted on white material applied to face of craggy rock

Rock Painting (no longer extant)

Taktsang, Upper Paro Valley, western Bhutan ca. 14th–15th century

Form of a bird outlined in barely suggested rust-red pigment on rough white rock

Rock Painting of a Bird

Che Do, Lake Namtso, Tibet Protohistoric or Early Historic period (ca. 600–1000 CE)

Natural and symbolic motifs painted in red on weathered orange rock face

Rock paintings in red ocher of a conjoined sun and moon, two sunbursts, a tree, and two swastikas

Chukargyam, Rutok, Tibet Iron Age (ca. 700–100 BCE) or Protohistoric period (ca. 100–600 CE)

Tightly rolled scroll of brown paper with Tibetan text wrapped around top quarter of tarnished silver spindle

Roll of Mantras for a Prayer Wheel and Its Spindle

Tibet ca. 12th–13th century

Watercolor in beige and black depicting enthroned Buddha holding hands in mudras at chest

Sarnath Buddha

India ca. 1940

Sarvavid Vairochana Mandala

Tibet 17th century

Seated Bodhisattva

China late 13th–14th century

Intricately detailed brass statuette of enthroned Buddha flanked by five smaller deities

Seated Buddha Flanked by Maitreya and Avalokiteśvara

Palola Shahi Kingdom April 23, 715

Orange leather saddle featuring gold filigree and turquoise decoration at pommel

Set of Saddle Plates

Tibet or China ca. 1400

Buddha in orange robe sits cross-legged on grisaille throne while flanked by two smaller men in patchwork robes

Shakyamuni Flanked by His Main Disciples

Lijiang, Yunnan Province 17th century

Lama seated before altar and attendants at bottom right; text against brown background at top left

Situ Panchen as Patron of The Wish-Granting Vine Series of One Hundred and Eight Morality Tales, twenty-third painting after Situ’s set

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century

Three panels of paper bearing florid, sprawling illustrations outlined in red ink; eight figures in scrollwork roundels at top

Sketches of Floral Patterns and Mythological Creatures, pages from a sketchbook in a folding book (thyasaphu) format

Tibet (and Nepal?) 1435

Side view of cup featuring band of silver decoration depicting animals amongst floral motifs and line of skulls

Skull Cup with Base

Tibet 18th–20th century

Pair of hand- and footprints frame holy man seated against background featuring deity portraits and vegetation

Songtsen Gampo with Handprints and Footprints

Tibet late 17th century

Brass statue of Buddha standing in contrapposto before damaged mandorla

Standing Buddha

Kashmir late 10th to early 11th century

Silver statue depicting seated, crowned Buddha holding small vase in hands positioned in lap

Statue of Amitayus, Dolonnuur style

19th century

View from below of upper body of monumental golden Buddha before densely wrought open nimbus

Statue of Seated Vairochana, East Temple, Level 5 (Bumpa) of the Gyantse Kumbum

Gyantse Kumbum, Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1427–1440

Seated Buddha enclosed in frame of 20 smaller buddhas and flanked by standing bodhisattvas; carved into weathered boulder

Stone carving of twenty-one buddhas and two bodhisattvas

Manthal village of Skardu, Pakistan ca. late 8th century

Ink drawing depicting three stupas in different forms: One larger stupa at left, two smaller stupas at right

Stūpas in Old Carvings

India ca. 1940

Fragment of page featuring vertical lines of Mongolian script framed by black border on light brown paper

Subhasitaratnanidhi (Treasury of Good Sayings) Mongolian translation in phags pa (square script)

Khocho 13th–14th century

Silver- and brass-colored sculpture depicting bodhisattva, holding red blossoms, seated with left foot extended

Tara

Tibet 17th century

Tattered painting on textile depicting extravagant architectural structure covered in deity portraits amidst green landscape

Thangka of Kongpo Bonri, southeast Tibet, represented as the citadel of the tantric divinity

Tsochok Khagying, Nyingtri, Kongpo, Tibet 18th century?

Mural program featuring mandala above lintel and two fearsome deities before fiery nimbuses flanking doorway

The Akshobya Mandala and White and Blue Achala

Segoma Lhakhang, Zhalu Monastery; Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) 14th century

Rectangular, turmeric-yellow page featuring Tibetan text and three illuminations in color depicting fantastical creatures and figures

The Black Treasury Manuscript, Dream of the Four Pillars

Tibet ca. 1475

Sepia textile featuring two faint footprints interspersed with portraits of deities bearing orange nimbuses

The Buddha’s Footprints and Incarnations of Avalokiteshvara

Tibet 10–11th century

Gilded sculpture featuring dynamically posed deity standing atop supine figure before open fiery nimbus

The Dakini Nairatmya

western Nepal/western Tibet 1300–1325

Painting in crimson-red and burnt orange depicting seated Buddha surrounded by profusion of scenes and figures arranged in five registers

The Eight Great Events of the Buddha’s Life

Tibet ca. 13th century

Two handprints and two footprints frame Dalai Lama seated above crowd of attendants and wrathful deity

The Fifth Dalai Lama, with Hand- and Footprints

Tibet late 17th century

Mural depicting five Buddhas with yellow, blue, white, red, and green skin enthroned among deity portraits

The Five Jina Buddhas

Segoma Lhakhang, Zhalu Monastery; Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) 14th century

Elliptical ornament depicting four seated deities and vajra; set in turquoise, orange, blue, and purple stones

The Five Tathagata, or Cosmic Buddhas, Forehead Ornament for a Deity

Newari, for the Nepal or Tibet market 17th–19th century

Red line drawing depicting Buddha at center flanked by two attendants on either side before landscape

The Ninth Karmapa (left) and the Sixth Zhamar (right), editor of the Jang (Lijiang) Kangyur, frontispiece of the catalog (karchak) by the Sixth Zhamar, vol. 109 of the Jang Satham (Lijiang) edition of the Tibetan Kangyur, folio 1a

Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China 1621

Scenes from the Early Life of the Buddha

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