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Although many practices focused on Vairochana were eventually eclipsed in importance by those of other deities, practices related to the All-Knowing Buddha Vairochana have maintained their popularity. This is because of the functional nature of the rituals, which are often used in funerary and consecration ceremonies.
Sarvavid Vairochana Mandala
OriginTibet
Date17th century
Dimensions46 3/8 × 38 3/4 × 2 1/4 in. (estimated)
MediumPigments on cloth
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin
Object numberC2006.66.346
Himalayan Art Resources Number773
Project Himalayan Arthttps://projecthimalayanart.rubinmuseum.org/related/sarvavid-vairochana-mandala/
DescriptionA mandala depicts the palace of a deity populated by his or her retinue. In its most basic form it is a circle inside a square with the main deity at its center. Here Sarvavid Vairochana, white with four faces, is seated in a meditation posture. He is surrounded at the cardinal directions by four buddhas that are specific to this mandala.Although many practices focused on Vairochana were eventually eclipsed in importance by those of other deities, practices related to the All-Knowing Buddha Vairochana have maintained their popularity. This is because of the functional nature of the rituals, which are often used in funerary and consecration ceremonies.
ca. 19th century
14th century
17th century
18th century
19th century
19th century
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18th century
16th century (ca. 1500)
late 18th – early 19th century
16th century
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