Yamari, Rakta (Buddhist Deity)
(item no. 87206), Greyscaled & Numbered

Tibet

1600 - 1699

Uncertain Lineage

87.70x62cm (34.53x24.41in)

Ground Mineral Pigment, Black Background on Cotton

Collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

(acc.# 07.307, Gift of Edward W. Forbes)

 
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   Greyscaled & Numbered


Rakta Yamari (Tibetan: shin je she mar. English: the Red Enemy of Death). An emanation of the bodhisattva of wisdom Manjushri, he embraces the consort Vajra Vetali.

Sanskrit: Rakta Yamari Tibetan: Shin je she mar

"... Bhagavan Krodha Yamari with a body red in colour, one face and two hands. The right hand holds aloft a white stick marked with a fresh yellow head. The left holds a blood filled skullcup embracing the Vidya of natural light [Vajra Vetali]; mouth with bared fangs and tongue curled, possessing three round red eyes, yellow mustache, eyebrows and hair flowing upward, wearing a lower garment of tiger skin, adorned with the eight great nagas and a necklace of half a hundred dripping heads and a crown of five dry skulls. Frightful with the resources of a yamari standing above a red buffalo in a manner with the right leg bent and left straight in the middle of a blazing fire of pristine awareness." (Thartse Panchen Namka Palzang, 18th century).

At the top center is the primordial buddha Vajradhara accompanied by Vajrasattva, mahasiddhas (Indian adepts) and Tibetan lamas of the lineage. At the middle left and right are the meditational deities Akshobhyavajra Guhyasamaja and Mahamaya.

At the bottom center is Heruka Vajrabhairava with Krishna Yamari at the left and 'Secret Accomplishment' Hayagriva on the right.

The Main Indian Lineage: Vajradhara, Manjushri Yamari, Jnanadakini, mahasiddha Virupa, Dombi Heruka, Viratipa, Matigarbha, Gambhiramati, Vajrasana Ashokashri, Nishkalangka Devi, Revendra Prabha, Chag Lotsawa Choje Pal (the first Tibetan in the lineage), etc. There were many lineages of Rakta Yamari to enter Tibet and most are traced back to the mahasiddha Virupa.

Jeff Watt 4-2001 [updated 12-2009]

Numbered List:
Yellow Numbers -
1. Vajradhara
2. Dombi Heruka
3. Vajrasattva
4. Kunkyen Pagpa O
5. Dorje Drag
6. ?
7. Dorje Chang Kyenrabje
8. Virupa
9. Brahmin Paldzin
10. Marpa Lotsawa
11. Tsurton Wanggi Dorje

White Numbers -
1. Rakta Yamari
2. Akshobhyavajra Guhyasamaja
3. Mahamaya
4. Vajrabhairava Heruka
5. Krishna Yamari
6. Hayagriva 'Secret Accomplishment'


View other items in:
Thematic Set
Collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Painting Type: Black Ground
Buddhist Deity: Yamari, Rakta
Tradition: Shalu/Bulug Main Page
Subject: Greyscale - Figurative & General Composition
Buddhist Deity: Yamari, Rakta (Masterworks)



Copyright © 2012 Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation.
Photographed Image Courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Reproduced with permission. © 2004 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.