Buddhist Ritual Instruction Card (Tsakali) c. 13th century

This small Buddhist Ritual Instruction Card, or Tsakali, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, presents a seated Buddha figure rendered in muted earth tones on a reddish ground. The composition is deceptively simple. Notice how the anonymous artist employed a limited palette, focusing on variations of red and contrasting it with greens and whites to define the figure against the background. Lines are used sparingly but effectively to outline forms. This emphasizes the two-dimensionality of the piece, typical of many traditional Buddhist paintings, and flattens space. The symmetry of the seated Buddha, framed by the arc of the mandorla, brings balance. Yet, this formal structure supports the card’s ritual function. The card acts as a focal point for meditation and instruction, providing a framework for contemplation on larger philosophical ideas about impermanence and enlightenment. The artist uses formal elements not just for aesthetic purposes but to structure spiritual and intellectual engagement. The painting invites viewers to decode its visual language and reflect upon the layers of meaning embedded within its simple form.