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18th century

Padmasambhava, at the center of this image, is an 8th-century teacher who was summoned from India by Tibetan king Trisong Detsen to help establish Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. The great teacher is seated on a Chinese-style throne, which has white lions with green manes on the base and dragons at the sides. His hands make the “turning the wheel of the law” mudra, symbolic for preaching the Buddhist doctrine. Lotus blossoms at his shoulders support a vajra and a bell. The background portrays eleven episodes from his fabled life. Scenes are minutely depicted in rich colors accented with gold, interspersed with trees, foliage, and clouds, resulting in a dense composition.

Tempera on cloth

Overall h.: 67 3/4 in.

Overall w.: 37 1/2 in.

Image h.: 34 3/4 in.

Image w.: 23 1/4 in.

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

50.158

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Luminous: The Art of Asia", October 13, 2011 - January 8, 2012

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