Mandala of Bodhisattva Monju
18th century
Bodhisattva Monju, deity of wisdom, sits at the center of this mandala and is surrounded by his eight attendants. Unusually, Monju is represented with eight arms, each holding an accoutrement. Among them, the sword and sutra are his identifying attributes. A mandala like this is used in the rite for the avoidance of natural disasters in Japan. Each motif is meticulously depicted with sumptuous materials, reflecting a core belief of Japanese esoteric Buddhism: meritorious image-making and ornamentation of ritual space.
Gold, ink and color on silk
74 x 45 in. (118 x 114.3 cm)
Gift of Maren Monsen and Jeffry Grainger in honor of Joseph and Elaine Monsen
2020.27.2
Provenance: Joseph (1931-2019) and Elaine Monsen (1935-2014), Seattle, Washington, by 1961-1962; to their daughter, Maren Monsen, Seattle, Washington; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2020
