A mandala is a cosmic diagram used by Tibetan Buddhist practitioners in their religious practice. This mandala belonging to the Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism is for the visualization of the protective deity Chanda Maharosana. Shown in the center as a two-armed blue figure, he clasps his female partner and holds a sword and a noose. The Buddha Akshobhya surmounts the mandala. Seated in the upper right-hand corner is Milarepa (1052–1135), an important saint of the Kagyu Order; he is identified by his typical pose: holding his right hand close to his ear. Opposite Milarepa is his student, Rechungpa (1084–?), holding aloft and rattling a hand drum.
On the bottom of the mandala are various wrathful guardians of the faith (from right to left): Penden Lhamo riding her mule, Hayagriva with the head of a horse emerging from his hair, a six-armed version of Mahakala, Vajrapani holding a thunderbolt, and a version of Mahakala as a Brahman.
Details
- Title : Mandala of the Buddhist deity Chandamaharoshana
- Year : 1800-1900
- Classification : Thangka
- Medium : Ink and colors on cotton
- Dimension : H. 25 1/2 in x W. 16 1/4 in, H. 64.8 cm x W. 41.3 cm (image); H. 45 1/4 in x W. 24 3/8 in, H. 115 cm x W. 62 cm (overall)
- Accession No : B60D9+
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Collection : Asian Art Museum
- Credit Line : The Avery Brundage Collection
- Status : Not on display
- Department : Himalayan Art
- Exhibition History : "Mandala: The Architecture of Enlightenment", Tibet House and Berkeley Art Museum, 7/19/2000-9/17/2000 "Mysteries of the Mandala" Rotation, Asian Art Museum, 2/6/2012