| Transcript |
- List of Works
Abbreviations
AGGV Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
NBM New Brunswick Museum
NMC National Museum of Civilization
NGC National Gallery of Canada
ROM Royal Ontario Museum
VM Vancouver Museum
UBCAM U.B.C. Museum of Anthropology
COLOUR PLATES
Padmasambhava (frontispiece)
16th/17th century brass, gilt, ht. 16.3 cm Brian S. McElney Collection
This striking statue of Padmasambhava, with exqui�sitely-rendered fabric designs, shows the 8th- century Indian evangelist seated, holding his recognizable attributes of a vajra and a skull cup. The lotus base of the statue is missing.
Padmasambhava, manifesting in peaceful and wrathful forms, subdued the local demons obstruct�ing the faith and laid the foundation of the Red Hat sect. He is one of the most popular subjects represented in the Buddhist art of both Tibet and Bhutan.
I Phakspa
17th century
gouache on cotton, 82.3 x 51 cm Gift of Mrs. W. W. Ritchie AGGV 65.68
Phakspa (1235-80), nephew of Sakya Pandita and the new leader of the Sakya sect, was invited for an interview by the great Mongol ruler, Kublai Khan, in 1253. In 1260 Kublai Khan gave Phakspa the title of Imperial Preceptor, thus making him supreme head of the Buddhist church in Kublai�s empire, including China proper. As spiritual guru, Phakspa took a seat higher than the throne of the emperor himself. This rank was granted to him for religious affairs, but in secular matters he took a seat of equal height.
In this rare and spectacular thanka, we see a large image of Phakspa seated in audience above Kublai Khan and his wife. Phakspa displays the gesture of argument. The clothing of Phakspa, the offerings on the table and the architectural features all show exceptional detail, revealing the tremendous skill of the artist.
II Avalokitesvara
19th century
gouache on cotton, 49.3 x 33 cm Gift of Marie Schilder
AGGV 83.77.7
At the centre, seated in front of a palace structure, is the tantric form of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. The original hands are against the breast in namahkara (prayer) mudra. The other two hands hold the rosary and the lotus. There are four bod�hisattva attendants seated within the walled area. Eight buddhas with different gestures are depicted at top and bottom of the thanka. A guardian deity stands at the lower centre. The Avatamsaka sutra mentions a mountain called Potala and tradition associates it with Avalokitesvara. Therefore, this bodhisattva is usually placed on a hilltop. Avaloki�tesvara is supposed to have been incarnated in the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, as well as in the Dalai Lama lineage. This explains why he is the principal tutelary deity of Tibet and also why the palace of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa is called Potala.
III Naro Khachoma
18th/19th century
gouache on cotton, 64 x 44 cm Private Collection
The dakini, Naro Khachoma, surrounded by flames and standing in front of a palace, is represented here stepping to the left on two figures�one blue, one red �symbolizing ignorance and delusion, and drinking the blood of demons from a skull cup in her left hand. Her right hand holds a ritual chopper and she balances the magic stick (khatvanga) on her left shoulder. She has a third eye in her forehead, wears a crown of skulls, and a long garland of heads. Naro Khachoma is the patroness of the Sakya sect. She is flanked by two red dakinis and six more red figures
30
|
|---|
