Inscriptions: There are several categories of inscriptions that can appear on the back of a painting. In order of occurrence there are three standard elements included and two elements relating to the subject of the painting and the wishes of the donor:
1. Three Syllables: OM, AH, HUM (standard) 2. Auspicious Mantras (standard) 3. Auspicious Verses (standard) 4. Miscellaneous Extra Verses (donor added) 5. Dedicatory Verses (donor added)
Examples of Standard Dharani and Verses:
- om, ah, hum, hrih, tram
- om bhrum svaha
- Om sarva vidya svaha
- Om vajra ayushe svaha
- Om supra tishtha vajraya [vajraye] svaha
- Sarva mangalamYe Dharma Formula: - Om ye dharma hetu prabhava hetum tesham tathagato hyavadat tesham cha yo nirodha evam vadi maha shramana svaha
Translation: "All phenomena arise from causes; Those causes have been taught by the Tathagata, And their cessation too has been proclaimed by the Great Shramana." (Rigpa Shedra translation).Patience Verse: "Patience for hardships is noble patience, [Leading to] supreme liberation, the Buddha has said. With respect to others, Monks should do no harm or cause distress."
Jeff Watt 4-2013 [updated 9-2017] Bibliography:
The Consecration of Images and Stupas in Indo-Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. Yael Bentor. Leiden, 1996.
Sutra Style Consecrations. Yael Bentor.
Consecration of a Buddha Image. Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen. Translated by Yael Bentor.