Rubin Museum of Art

Bhutan

Bhutan’s earliest Buddhist temples were built in the 7th century, around the same time Buddhism was introduced in Tibet. In the 17th century, Mongol-backed Geluk authorities drove many Kagyu teachers from Tibet to Bhutanese areas. The Drukpa Kagyu teacher Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594–1651) unified these regions and established a system of government.

Art 12

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594–1651) with a Brief Lineage

Bhutan, 19th century

Vajra, Bell and Case

Bhutan, 20th century

Raven-headed Mahakala

Bhutan, early to mid-19th century

Padma Karpo (1527-1592) and Scenes from His Life

Bhutan, 18th century

Bhutan, 19th century

Pelden Lhamo Dusolma

Bhutan, 19th century

Bhutan, c. 19th century

Green Tara as Protectress from the Eight Fears

Bhutan, 19th century

Bhutan, 19th century

Faceted Metal Prayer Beads

Bhutan, ca. 1800

Buddha Amitayus

Bhutan, late 19th or early 20th century

Buddha Shakyamuni

Bhutan, 19th century