Item: Vajradhara Buddha
| Origin Location | Tibet |
|---|---|
| Date Range | 1700 - 1799 |
| Size | 78.41x53.34cm (30.87x21in) |
| Material | Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton |
| Collection | The Brooklyn Museum of Art |
| Catalogue # | acc. #BMA 81.279, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Stanislaw J. Czuma |
| Painting School | Karma Gardri |
Classification: Deity
Vajradhara, Buddha (Tibetan: dor je chang, sang gye. English: the Vajra Holder, Enlightened One). The primordial Buddha, personification of the dharmakaya - truth body of enlightenment and progenitor of the Vajrayana system of Buddhism.
"Master of all-pervasive pristine awareness, unmoving great bliss of dharmata, unsurpassed treasure of wishing jewels; homage to the great Vajradhara." (Nyingma liturgical verse).
According to the Nyingmapa School Vajradhara is an activity emanation of Buddha Samantabhadra. The Sarma schools (Sakya, Kagyu, Gelug) hold Vajradhara as the secret form of Shakyamuni Buddha and the combined essence of all the buddhas of the ten directions and three periods of time gathered as one. It is from Vajradhara that such tutelary deities as Guhyasamaja, Shri Hevajra and Chakrasamvara arise.
Jeff Watt 3-2002
Buddhist Deity: Vajradhara Main Page
Painting Style: Kham Region (Kham-ri)
Collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art
Buddhist Deity: Vajradhara, Solitary
Buddhist Deity: Vajradhara (Lineage Sets)
Collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art (Deities)
Collection of Brooklyn Museum of Art (Masterworks)