9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje with Black Crown rendered in perfect detail
The superb Himalayan Art website recently posted this beautiful new image of an 18th Century thangka of the 9th Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (click on images to enlarge).
All ‘Buddhist Iconography’ posts
Painting of 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje
Monday, October 18th, 2010
FollowStatues in our London Buddhist Centre
Friday, October 15th, 2010
Diamond Mind and Loving Eyes Statues in the London Diamond Way Buddhist Centre
We’d like to share some impressions from the filling and blessing of the beautiful Buddha statues in our London Buddhist Centre. The filling took place back in February (19-21) 2010 when we had the privilege to host our great friends from Germany – Dagmar, Steffi and Sebastian – who are trained in the traditional art of statue filling. The statues are of Loving Eyes (Tib.Chenrezig), Diamond Mind (Tib. Dorje Sempa), and Green Liberatrice (Skt. Tara), as well as one of the 16th Karmapa holding the Black Crown.
(more…)
The legend of Tara, female Buddha of Compassion
Thursday, October 7th, 2010
Green Tara
The legend of Tara, as recounted by lamas such as Taranatha (1575–1634), explains that countless eons ago, during the life of a former historical Buddha, there was a princess called Wisdom Moon (Tib. Yeshe Dawa). She received instructions from the Buddha on developing bodhicitta, the intention to reach enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, and first took the Bodhisattva Promise in his presence.
“Sculptural Perfection!” – statue of Red Wisdom
Saturday, October 2nd, 2010
Close-up of Red Wisdom's face
The Himalayan Art website has just posted this blog entry aptly entitled “Sculptural Perfection”:
This Vajravarahi sculpture, for its time and type, is surely one of the finest ever created. Also view the five detail images. The face is beautiful although likely re-painted in the recent past. The body proportions and movement are excellent. The ornamentation is precise and detailed, also textually accurate. The elaborate scarf (not part of the textual description) is beautifully excessive with studded semi-precious stones – likely original to the piece – framing the central figure and bringing the entire sculpture to a fullness that is greater than the sum of the parts. Sculptural perfection – art and iconography!
Stupa?
Sunday, July 25th, 2010
Light Stupa
The beautiful picture (click to enlarge) was sent to us from a friend in the London Sangha. It was taken by her friend who was in Great Carrs in the British Lake District at a sunrise at, while searching for a ridge known as Broad Slack, the crash site of a Halifax Bomber which crashed in 1944 on a night exercise from Topcliff in Yorkshire while descending through thick cloud.
We rather fancy it looks like a stupa…
Renovation of Swayambhu Stupa, Kathmandu
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has re-opened
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Phurba (ritual dagger) at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
This image is of a Phurba, a ritual dagger used in rites of subjugation of hostile forces, associated with certain cycles of tantric teachings. Its three edges symbolise cutting through the three main disturbing emotions of ignorance, anger and attachment. It was made in Tibet in the 13th or 14th century. Its handle is carved from wood and painted, with gilding and ivory details. Further details can be seen here.
Early Karma Kagyu Refuge Tree
Sunday, June 27th, 2010
Early Karma Kagyu Refuge Tree
This beautiful image, from the superb Himalayan Art Resource, is apparently of the earliest known Karma Kagyu Refuge Tree paintings. (more…)
