Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Vairochana Buddha - Vajradhatu (Tattvasamgraha Tantra)

ཀུན་རིག་རྣམ་པར་སྣང་མཛད། 普明大日如来(佛教本尊)
(item no. 90914)
Origin Location Western Tibet
Date Range 1200 - 1299
Lineages Kadam
Material Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton
Collection Carolyn and Wesley Halpert
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Deity

Interpretation / Description

Vajradhatu Vairochana (Tibetan: dor je ying, nam par nang dze): the central figure from the 53-deity mandala; Yoga class of Tantra.

Peaceful in appearance, white of colour, he has four faces, white, yellow, green and red. With eight hands the first pair perform a mudra (gesture) at the heart, the second perform the mudra of meditation in the lap. The remaining two right hands hold a mala (prayer beads) and an arrow. The left two hold a Dharma wheel and a bow. Adorned with a crown of gold and jewels, round earrings studded with gems, necklaces, bracelets and anklets, the lower body is wrapped with a skirt of various colours. The legs are folded in vajra posture with the right over left atop a moon disc and multi-coloured lotus seat placed above a lion supported throne further decorated with an elaborate backrest (Sanskrit: torana).

Along the top and upper sides are 16 buddha figures, identical in appearance, with one face and two hands, red robes, the right arm bare and seated in vajra posture. They each perform their own unique mudras (hand gestures). At the right and left sides of the central figure are two groups of six bodhisattvas, well adorned with jewels and silks, performing mudras and seated in relaxed casual postures.

At the bottom from left to right is the Mother of all Conquerors - Prajnaparamita, Buddha Amitayus, Arapachana Manjushri, Shadaksari Avalokiteshvara, Guhyapati Vajrapani and Syama (green) Tara.

Jeff Watt 4-2000

Related Items
Publications
Publication: Leaves from the Bodhi Tree

Thematic Sets
Collection of Caroline & Wesley Halpert
Painting Style: Western Tibetan
Buddhist Deity: Vairochana (Tattvasamgraha Tantra)
Subject: Yoga Tantra
Buddhist Deity: Vajradhatu
Buddhist Deity: Vairochana, Trailokyavijaya (Tattvasamgraha Tantra)
Painting Style: Indian (11th to 13th century)
Subject: Yoga Tantra Main Page
Buddhist Subject: Tattvasamgraha Tantra