This painting visualizes the cosmos from the perspective of Tibetan Buddhism. Various deities depicted outside of the painting’s central form represent the chaos of the world. Successive circles contain motifs that may guide some viewers toward understanding the place of people within the cosmos. Moving inward, these circles represent eight mental states to be overcome; stylized flames in five sacred colors, which burn ignorance; the edges of diamonds, symbolizing illumination; and lotus petals, signifying spiritual rebirth. A pair of overlapping equilateral triangles represents the female (down-pointing) and male (up-pointing) principles. In the center, Vajravarahi, a female expression of enlightened awareness, dances alone.
Details
- Title : A mandala of the Buddhist deity Vajravarahi
- Year : dated 1869
- Classification : Thangka
- Medium : Colors on cotton
- Dimension : H. 21 1/2 in x W. 16 1/2 in, H. 54.6 cm x W. 41.9 cm (image); H. 47 7/8 in x W. 28 7/8 in, H. 121.6 cm x W. 73.3 cm (overall)
- Accession No : B60D11+
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Culture : Buddhism
- Collection : Asian Art Museum
- Credit Line : The Avery Brundage Collection
- Status : Not on display
- Department : Himalayan Art
- Inscriptions : N.S. 989 (1869)
- Exhibition History : "The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditational Art", LACMA, 10/5/2003-1/9/2004, Columbus Museum of Art, 2/8/2004-5/9/2004 "Phantoms of Asia: Contemporary Awakens the Past", Asian Art Museum, 5/18/2012-9/2/2012