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- 37 Standing Padmapani
11th/13th century
brass, ht. 10.2 cm
Gift of Max Tanenbaum, Toronto, 1980 NGC 26695
In this very early bronze sculpture, probably from Western Tibet, Padmapani (the lotus-bearer) stands on a simple domed lotus base. His garments as well as his aureole and nimbus are crudely rendered. His right hand is in the gesture of protection and his left hand rests on his thigh holding the stem of a lotus flower above his left shoulder. Padmapani is a non- Tantric form of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
38 Avalokitesvara
19th century
copper, gilt, pigment, ht. 44 cm Private Collection
Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is depicted here with eleven heads (nine bodhisattva heads in pyramidal formation, surmounted by the fierce head of Mahakala, which is in turn topped by the head of Amitabha Buddha), and eight arms in various gestures with each palm having an eye. The numerous heads concentrate on saving all beings and the numerous eyes see in all directions for those in need of help.
Avalokitesvara is the central figure of Mahayana Buddhism and is the patron of Tibet. For a depiction of Avalokitesvara with 1,000 hands see thanka (5).
39 Green Tara (?)
12th/13th century brass, ht. 7 cm
Gift of Max Tanenbaum, Toronto, 1980 NGC 26696
The figure here is seen gracefully sitting in the royal posture (lalitasana) with the right hand in the gesture of charity and the left hand holding the stem of a lotus flower which rises above the left shoulder. The nimbus behind is a simple circle. Although the vitarka and varada mudras and the lalitasana posture are typical of Green Tara, this early statue might be Padmapani.
40 Green Tara
early 20th century
brass, inlay of turquoise, ht. 51.5 cm James A. Currie Collection
In this bronze statue done in Nepalese style, the Green Tara is depicted sitting in the royal posture, relaxing her right foot on a lotus cushion. Her right hand makes the gesture of charity. In her hands, she holds the stems of two lotus flowers which reach to her shoulders. She is a popular deity in Tibet and represents the active and energetic aspect of compassion. The Nepalese princess of the seventh- century Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo, is con�sidered as an incarnation of the Green Tara.
41 White Tara
18th century
hammered copper, gilt, ht. 30.3 cm Mary Hummel Collection
This graceful statue, made from hammered copper, depicts the White Tara seated on a lotus base with her right hand in the charity mudra and her left hand in the mudra of the �three jewels.� The usual lotus above her left shoulder is missing.
For more information on the White Tara, see thanka 6.
42 Samantabhadra and Manjusri
18th century, (Sino-Tibetan)
brass, gilt and pigments, ht. 15.4 cm George Crofts Collection
ROM 918.39.12, 918.39.13
This pair of statues depicts the bodhisattvas � Samantabhadra and Manjusri. Samantabhadra, the bodhisattva of Universal Kindness, is seated on his mount�an elephant. His right hand is in the charity {vara) mudra, and the left one displays the argument {vitarka) mudra. Both hands hold the stems of lotus flowers which support his special symbols. Manjusri, the bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, is seated on his vehicle �the lion. His hands display the dharmacakra (turning the Wheel of Law) mudra and hold the ends of lotus flowers, which support his attributes: the sword and a book. The sword symbolizes the cleaving asunder of the Clouds of Ignorance and the book is the Prajnaparamita, Treatise on Transcendent Wisdom. Both animals stand on lotus bases.
43 Vajrabhairava form of Yamantaka
16th/17th century
brass, ht. 21.6 cm
Gift of Max Tanenbaum, Toronto, 1980 NGC 26711
This metal statue depicts the powerful yidam of the Yellow Hat sect, Vajrabhairava, in the form of Yamantaka, a wrathful emanation of Manjusri. In this form he has sixteen legs, thirty-four arms holding various attributes, and nine heads, one of which is a buffalo�s head and the one at the summit being that of Manjusri. Here, he is seen trampling on Hindu deities, demons, animals and birds. Although somewhat weathered, this immensely complex statue reveals the exceptional skill of Tibet�s early metalworkers.
This figure is also depicted in thanka 14.
44 Cakra-Samvara in Yab-Yum
a) 18th century (Nepalese) brass, gilt, ht. 29 cm
Mrs. Marjorie Finlayson Collection
b) 18th century (Tibetan)
base silver with turquoise, ht. 21 cm Gift of Max Tanenbaum, Toronto, 1980 NGC 26725
Cakra-Samvara is an important yidam (god- protector), a special form of Heruka, and belongs to
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