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- in the form of a tantric protector. He holds a vajra in his right hand and his left hand forms the gesture of admonition (tarjanimudra).
At the top of thanka (a) are the bodhisattvas: Vajrasattva to the right and Avalokitesvara to the left. At the bottom of the thanka is a group of symbols�a mirror at the centre, flanked by a pair of cymbals, the liquid in the conch-shell, the peaches and the piece of material representing the five different objects that stimulate the senses. In thanka (b) a small garuda rests on his left hand, identifying the figure as Vajrapani-Acarya, symbolizing Vajrapani as Pro�tector of the nagas against the garudas.
8 Vajrapani as Garuda
19th century
gouache on cotton, 26.6 x 19.7 cm Gift of Max Tanenbaum, Toronto, 1980 NGC 26885
The mythological semi-human Garuda depicted here has mighty outstretched wings, and a crowned bird�s head. It threads on a serpent divinity (naga) and holds a snake in its beak and claws. Above its head sits Sakyamuni Buddha. This particular garuda is an emanation of Vajrapani. Legends relate how Vajrapani sometimes takes the garuda form in order to protect the nagas from their enemies, the garudas. Usually there is a small image of Akshobhya Buddha, Vajrapani�s spiritual father, above the garuda, but in this case it is that of Sakyamuni Buddha.
9 The Dakini Simhavaktra (the Lion-headed One)
17th century
gouache on cotton, 47.6 x 35.9 cm Gift of Max Tanenbaum, Toronto, 1980 NBC 26834
Represented at the centre is the dakini Simhavaktra with a blue body holding a chopper, a skull cup, and a khatvanga (ritual wand) resting on her left arm. The hair on her white lion-head is erect and she wears a skull crown. Her two emanations or atten�dants are: the witch Vyaghravaktra (the Tiger�headed One) at lower left and the witch Rkshavaktra (the Bear-headed One) at lower right. These three female figures, depicted in dancing pose and holding the same symbols, are known as the �Special Protectors� as well as the �Dakinis of the Three Places.� Their fierce aspect is reflected by the skull crown and the garland of human heads they wear. A rare form of Mahakala� Mahakala Brah- manarupa, is depicted at the bottom centre. At the top of the thanka are three historical persons in deified form: Tsong Khapa at centre, flanked by Padmasambhava to the left and Atisa, an Indian priest who came to Tibet around A.D. 1040 and founded the Kadampa sect, to the right.
10 Kalachakra
a) 19th century
gouache on cotton, 75.2 x 58.2 cm Gift of Max Tanenbaum, Toronto, 1980 NGC 26854
b) mid 20th century
gouache on cotton, 14.8 x 11.5 cm J. P. E. Klaverwyden Bequest
AGGV 69.52
The yidam Kalacakra is four-faced, has twenty-four arms in three colours (blue, red and white), and holds various Buddhist symbols in his hands. H/s sakti (of orange colour), which he holds in yab-yum, has eight arms. Kalacakra is usualy represented in dark blue, wears a tiger skin and steps to the left on prostrate personages. Kalacakra is the presiding deity of the Kalacakratantra and represents a Tantric embodiment of the Wheel of Time.
The central figure of thanka (a) is surrounded by Buddhas, monks and mahasiddhas at the top, and has depictions of various guardian deities at the bottom. There is a detailed scene of a monk seated near an elaborate altar at lower left.
11 Mahakala
a) 19th century
gold on cotton, 47.5 x 35.7 cm Gift of Mrs. E. Burnett AGGV
b) mid-20th century
gouache on cotton, 30.6 x 23.4 cm J. P. E. Klaverwyden Bequest
AGGV 67.94
Mahakala, �the Great Black One� is the protector of the Buddha�s teachings and the tutelary god of Mongolia. This popular guardian (dharmapala) has six arms which hold a rosary of skulls, a drum, a chopper, a skull cup, a noose and a trident. Holding an elephant skin and encircled by flames, he steps to the right on the elephant-headed god, the demon Vinataka (Hindu god, Ganesha). This is the most popular form of the seventy-five manifestations of this great protector of the Faith. Tsong Khapa is directly above him flanked by two protectors, one being Jinamitra. The bottom row shows two of Mahakala�s ministers �Kshetrapala riding a bear, flanked by Trakshad to the left and Palden Lhamo, the great Protectress of Religion to the right. The cult of Mahakala was brought to Tibet from Bodhgaya by the great Rinchen Sangpo, and is venerated by all the different religious orders of Tibet.
Thanka (a) is an example of a type of Buddhist painting peculiar to Tibet. Known as gser thang in Tibetan, these thankas are painted entirely in linear technique, usually executed in gold on a black background. Apparently, these thankas were used in special chapels for protective deities known as gonkhang.
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