tempera, painting
tempera
painting
asian-art
figuration
geometric pattern
geometric
miniature
Dimensions 16 5/16 x 15 1/2 in. (41.43 x 39.37 cm) (image)
This is an anonymous painting on cloth of a Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi Mandala. The composition is dominated by concentric geometric forms and the symmetrical arrangement of figures. Notice the vibrant reds, blues, and greens; these bold choices create a pulsating visual field that draws the eye inward. This mandala uses structure and form to symbolize complex spiritual ideas. The square, a grounding element, represents the structured cosmos, while the inner circle signifies the dynamic, boundless nature of enlightenment. The figures arranged in a pattern around the central deities are not merely decorative; they form a matrix of symbolic relationships. The mandala can be seen as a structured system of signs. The geometric shapes and figures function within a symbolic framework, which suggests a deeply coded representation of Buddhist philosophy, a guide for meditation and spiritual transformation.
Comments
The sacred diagram of the cosmos and resplendent deities painted on this thangka were intended to serve as a meditation device for a tantric practitioner. The practitioner would have read an associated text and then visualized in three dimensions the palatial structure depicted here, which is seen from above with a single gateway at its bottom. At the center, the god Chakramsavara embraces his red consort, Vajravarahi. The surrounding circle contains Cosmic Buddhas, dancing Dakinis (demi-goddesses), and the Shakyamuni Buddha, while the upper and lower registers contain protective and auspicious deities and lineage teachers.
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