Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Guhyasamaja (Buddhist Deity) - Akshobhyavajra

གསང་བ་འདུས་པ། ནང་ལྷ། 密集金刚(佛教本尊)
(item no. 625)
Origin Location Tibet
Date Range 1700 - 1799
Lineages Gelug
Size 82.55x57.15cm (32.50x22.50in)
Material Ground Mineral Pigment, Fine Gold Line on Cotton
Collection Rubin Museum of Art
Catalogue # acc.# F1998.8.1
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Deity

Appearance: Semi-Peaceful

Gender: Male

TBRC: bdr:W25350

Interpretation / Description

Guhyasamaja (Secret Assembly) Akshobhyavajra in consort is seated central surrounded by the thirty-two deities of the mandala. The deity has three faces and six hands, is blue-black in colour peaceful with a slightly fierce expression seated in vajra posture.

Guhyasamaja has two main traditions, the Arya (Nagarjuna) Lineage and the Jnana (Jnanapada) Lineage. The subject of this painting is the Arya Lineage. Of the three types of Anuttarayoga Tantra this is the chief of the 'Method' (Father) class. Ascending above the central deity are an unidentified Gelugpa Lama, Je Tsongkapa and Vajradhara. At the top center are several lamas and mahasiddhas. At the bottom center is Shadbhuja Mahakala.

Jeff Watt 4-98

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Tradition: Gelug Deity Paintings
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Painting Gallery 3
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Iconography: Iconographic Programs
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Buddhist Deity: Guhyasamaja - Akshobhyavajra (Deity & Retinue)