Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Sitatapatra (Buddhist Deity) - (One face, two hands)

གདུགས་དཀར། ནང་ལྷ། 大白伞盖佛母(佛教本尊)
(item no. 68850)
Origin Location Mongolia
Date Range 1700 - 1799
Lineages Buddhist
Collection Anna Maria Rossi & Fabio Rossi
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Deity

Appearance: Peaceful

Gender: Female

Interpretation / Description

Sitatapatra with one Face and Two Hands (The White Parasol Goddess).

"Above a lotus, moon and sun seat is Sitatapatra with one face and two hands. The right hand is [in the gesture of] a wheel. The left hand holds a white umbrella. Seated with the legs in vajra posture, [she] wears heavenly garments and is adorned with jewelry, in a slightly peaceful and slightly wrathful appearance."

It is said that the 1000 faced and 1000 armed Sitatapatra was introduced into Tibet by Shantarakshita in the 8th century with the texts of Chandrgomi being the most popular. The practice, with numerous additional, variations was again introduced into Tibet and the Himalayan regions through the students of Vajrasana the Elder and Younger in the 11th and early 12th century.

Jeff Watt 2-2014

Secondary Images
Related Items
Thematic Sets
Sculpture: Zanabazar Style (Peaceful Appearance)
Buddhist Deity: Sitatapatra (Two Hands)
Collection of Anna Maria Rossi & Fabio Rossi
Sculpture: Zanabazar Style (Mongolia)
Buddhist Deity: Sitatapatra (Masterworks)
Collection: Christie's. Jan. 28, 2014
Sculpture: Zanabazar Style (Female Figures)
Buddhist Deity: Sitatapatra Iconography
Buddhist Deity: Sitatapatra Religious Context