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- 25 Sakyamuni Buddha
late 19th/early 20th century (Sino-Tibetan) embroidered silk, 103 x 55.2 cm From the collection of Rev. James M. Menzies lent by his daughter Marion Menzies Hummel and her son, James Menzies Hummel
In this embroidered thanka, Gautama Buddha is seated on a lotus throne with both hands in the dhyana or meditation mudra holding a begging bowl (patra). His nose is realistically padded in slight relief. Behind him are a nimbus and an aureole, and above him are three disciples. Embroidered thankas of this type were made in central Tibet and in Chinese lamaseries. This particular thanka re�portedly comes from the Xi�an area.
The art of making appliqued and embroidered Buddhist hangings has been practised in Tibet for centuries. Some of these hangings were of a large size, several storeys high, and were meant to be displayed in the open air in the courtyard of the lamasery or stretched out on a hilltop once or twice a year in an event referred to as �sunning the Buddha.�
26 Rahula
20th century
woodblock print, 52.1 x 37.1 cm Gift of Douglas Gordon-Hill Henderson
AGGV 76.188
In this wrathful form, Rahula is enveloped in flames and is particularly ferocious. He has nine heads (with third eyes) topped by a raven�s head. His upper body is covered with eyes and an enormous demon face, while his lower body ends in a serpent�s tail. The large mouth on his belly consumes enemies of the faith. Furthermore, this fearful protector and yidam wears a cloak of human skin.
27 Wrathful Form of Padmasambhava
20th century
woodblock print, 30.5 x 22.8 cm
Gift of Women�s Committee Cultural Fund
AGGV 74.12
This image shows the wrathful form of Guru Rin- poche holding a vajra symbolizing power in his right hand and a scorpion, which destroys spiritual materialism, in his left hand.
28 Milarepa
20th century
woodblock print, 37.5 x 29.1 cm Gift of Douglas Gordon-Hill Henderson
AGGV 76.191
The most beloved of all Tibet�s ascetic yogis is Milarepa (1040-1123), who is revered by all sects and is well-known for his poetical songs. He was a pupil of Marpa, the founder of the Kagyupa sect. Milarepa is usually depicted clad in white cotton- cloth, cupping his right hand to his ear listening to his inner voice on how to promulgate the Buddhist
teachings in simple, clear words. In this print, he is depicted in a secluded cave with a deer, a bitch and a hunter known as Cirarepa by his side.
29 Printing Block and Print of The Wheel of Life
early/mid-20th century
woodblock, 66 x 49.5 cm
James A. Currie Collection
(back cover) print, 63.2 x 47.2 cm
Women�s Committee Cultural Fund Purchase
AGGV 74.8
The Wheel of Life (Bhavacakra) is held by Yama, Lord of the Underworld. In the centre of the wheel are three animals symbolic of the three cardinal sins: lust (cock), hatred (snake) and ignorance (pig). The next ring symbolizes the descent to hell on the right and the beings headed for Nirvana on the left. The six compartments of the next ring represent the superior and inferior worlds in which one may be reborn. The outer rim symbolizes the twelve interdependent causes of rebirth.
This subject, which was formulated by Buddha, occurs in Tibetan thankas and woodblocks, as well as on wall murals at the entrance to temples. It graphically serves to instruct the illiterate to all the manifestations of the phenomenal world.
The Buddha figure in the upper right corner of the print points to the path of salvation.
30 Printing Block of Choten
early/mid 20th-century
wood, 57.5 x 40.8 cm James A. Currie Collection
This well-carved woodblock depicts a choten or stupa surrounded by various deities and containing the image of Ushnishavijaya (Goddess of Victory), a very popular goddess both in Tibet and Mongolia, who is looked upon as the deification of the Buddha�s ushnisha (cranial protuberance). The choten is the most prominent symbol of Buddhism. Although it has various symbolic meanings, it usually symbolizes the mind of the Buddha. For more information on the choten see no. 58.
31 Book Covers 18th century or earlier wood, gilt
a) 29.7 x 72.8 cm Private Collection
b) 28.6 x 74.4 cm
Bequest of Mrs. H. R. Gale AGGV 67.219
c) 25.6 x 69.5 cm
Bequest of Mrs. H. R. Gale AGGV 67.219.1
These elaborately carved wood book covers show the great esteem held by the Tibetans for their sacred scriptures.
Book covers (a) and (b) have a petal design framing a scene of three large Buddhist deities in
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