Mandala of
Chakrasamvara
(item no. 346)

Himalayan Region

1800 - 1899

Kagyu and Buddhist Lineages

45.72x38.10cm (18x15in)

Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton

Collection of Rubin Museum of Art

(acc.# F1997.26.2)

 


Chakrasamvara Thirteen Deity Mandala according to the tradition of Maitripa (Tibetan: khor lo dem chog lha chu sum gyi kyil kor. English: the Wheel of Supreme Bliss) with lineage teachers at the top and retinue figures and protectors below. This form of Chakrasamvara originates from the Abhidhana Uttaratantra [TOH 369].

At the top center wearing a white garment is the famous Tibetan yogi Milarepa with Padmasambhava on his right and Tilopa on the left. To the viewers left are Vajradhara, Nagarjuna, Saraha, Shavaripa and two unidentified Indian siddhas. Below that are Rechungpa and Pagmodrupa. To the viewers right are Vajrayogini, Virupa, Ghantapa, Naropa, Marpa and an unidentified siddha. Below that are Gampopa and Ling Repa.

At the lower left is a three-faced sic armed form of Chakrasamvara, an unidentified Kagyu teacher and the wealth deity Black Jambhala. At the lower right is Sahaja Heruka Chakrasamvara, what is likely to be Avalokiteshvara and a small image of Sarasvati holding a vina.

In the bottom right corner is Chaturbhuja Mahakala the special protector for the Chakrasamvara cycle of Tantras and Tantric practice. Standing next to Chaturbhuja is Panjarnata Mahakala associated with the Hevajra Tantra. To the left are six retinue figures belonging to the internal yoga practices related to the central mandala above.

For a drawing of this mandala please see HAR #58254.

Jeff Watt 10-2008


View other items in:
Thematic Set
Mandala Paintings
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Painting Gallery II
Buddhist Deity: Chakrasamvara
Painting Style: Tibet (Balri)
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Mandala
Buddhist Deity: Chakrasamvara Mandala



Copyright © 2009 Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation.
Photographed Image Copyright © 2004 Rubin Museum of Art