News

This article was originally published as Chapter 8 of the catalogue published by the Rubin Museum: Karl Debreczeny, (with contributions by Ian A. Alsop, David P. Jackson and Irmgard Mengele) The Black Hat Eccentric : Artistic Visions of the Tenth Karmapa, 2012, Rubin Museum of Art, NY. This online version is the same as that found in the printed version with the exception of a few minor corrections to the text and a few additions to footnotes, as well as addition of detail images. Any updated versions of this article will be clearly so described, and this original version will remain on these pages as is for the record. [See asianart.com].

The Lotus Mandala below was originally created to depict the Hevajra Nine Deity Mandala. The central figure of Hevajra embracing the consort Vajra Nairatmya is missing and presumed lost. The small sculpture below on the right was located and is almost a perfect match for the two missing figures at the center of the mandala. However, although the figures are correct in size for the center, the round base of the Hevajra figure is slightly too large to fit into the recessed circular slot of the mandala.


The very slight difference in size makes it clear that the two pieces, mandala and Hevajra, do not belong together but observing the eight inner figures of the retinue that are attached to the mandala and observing the facial features, body characteristics and attributes, then it is very likely and reasonable to assume that these two objects could have been made in the very same workshop and by the same craftsmen. (See other Lotus Mandalas).

The artistic convention of placing four lineage teachers in each composition - register based - of a multi-painting set is found almost exclusively within the Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and most popular in the 15th and 16th centuries. Register based compositions almost completely disappear after the 17th century with the introduction of the Floating Figure composition which remains popular right up to the present time. No examples of four figure composition lineage painting sets for the Nyingma, Kagyu or Gelug traditions could be found in the HAR database. Of course it is possible that other and perhaps earlier examples will be discovered that will change our understanding of the subject.

A gallery for Medicine Buddha Retinue Figures, painting, sculpture and textile, has been added to the Masterworks Page.

A gallery for Medicine Buddha Paintings has been added to the Masterworks Page.

The eight images in this gallery depict the Eight Medicine Buddhas. The full set likely contained nine compositions in total. The missing image is of the personification of the Prajnaparamita Sutra as a female deity.

1. Bhaishajyaguru, Vaidurya Prabha Raja (blue)

2. Ashokattamshri (pink)

3. Suvarnabhadra Vimala (white)

4. Abhijnaraja (pink)

5. Shakyamuni (golden)

6. Suparakirtita Namashri (yellow)

7. Nirghosharaja

8. Dharmakirti Sagara

9. Prajnaparamita (yellow)

The Avadana Main Page has been updated with additional images including a list of painting sets and collections.

A gallery highlighting three unusual images of Hevajra has been added to the HAR site. These three paintings are not related to each other except for the subject of Hevajra and Nairatmya. The three paintings are each unusual because of their iconography, composition or rarity.

A gallery for Vajra Nairatmya has been added to the Masterworks Page.

A gallery for Chaturbhuja Mahakala has been added to the Masterworks Page.

The meditation practice and mandala of the Tigle Chu Drug contains sixteen levels of deities and teachers progressing from the inside to the outside. The central figure is Avalokiteshvara. Believed by some to have originated with the Kadampa Tradition of Jowo Atisha, this system of practice remains controversial with many scholars considering it to be a mandala and meditation practice of Tibetan origin. Regardless of the controversy, the art associated with the Tigle Chu Drug is unique in composition and design.

1. Jinasagara Avalokiteshvara.
2. Namnang Gangchen Tso.
3. Jinasagara Avalokiteshvara.
4. Avalokiteshvara, one face, two hands.
5. Prajnaparamita.
6. Tubpa Dudul (Buddha?).
7. Chaturbhuja Avalokiteshvara.
8. Green Tara.
9. Krodha Tara.
10. Achala.
11. Atisha.
12. Dromton.
13. Maitreya.
14. Manjushri.
15. Vajradhara.
16. Dharmakaya.

Additional images of Machen Pomra (Amnye Machen) have been added. Machen Pomra is the most popular mountain god of Eastern Tibet. (See Mountain Gods & Local Deities).

Humans with Animal Attributes: There are at least three human figures that are depicted with animal characteristics. The first is Nagarjuna who is typically shown with five or seven snakes above the head. The second is Gyalwa Chogyang, a student of Padmasambhava, that is typically depicted with a green horse head atop his own head. The third is Shridhara, an Indian teacher sometimes included in sets of the Eighty-four Mahasiddhas. Shridhara is associated with the Chakrasamvara, Vajrabhairava and Yamari teaching lineages.

A gallery for Amitayus Buddha has been added to the Masterworks Page.

A gallery for Amitabha Buddha has been added to the Masterworks Page.

The Marichi Main Page has been updated with additional images and information.

The Goddess of the Dawn (Tibetan: ozer chen ma. Sanskrit: Marichi) is depicted in many different forms. Sometimes she rides a white horse through the sky, banishing the darkness and driving back the night with the orb of the sun in the outstretched right hand. More commonly, Marichi is yellow or red in colour, with three or more faces and six to twelve arms, seated on a chariot drawn by seven pigs, or horses, removing all obstacles to happiness and well-being. Her mood can be either peaceful or wrathful. The metaphor for spiritual practice and meditation is light, light overcoming darkness.

A gallery for the worldly protector Shangpa Karpo, has been added to the Masterworks Page.

A gallery for the worldly protector Vaishravana, King of the North, has been added to the Masterworks Page.

A gallery for the worldly protector and wealth deity  Vaishravana Riding a Lion has been added to the Masterworks Page.

Dorje Lingpa (1346-1405) life story murals from Buli Monastery, Bhutan.

Also see the Dorje Lingpa Main Page. The images have been added to the Ariana Maki Photographic Archive.