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Photograph by Bruce M. White, Rubin Museum of Art, 2009
Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the Bardo
Photograph by Bruce M. White, Rubin Museum of Art, 2009
Photograph by Bruce M. White, Rubin Museum of Art, 2009

Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the Bardo

OriginTibet
Date19th century
Dimensions38 3/4 x 29 1/8 x 2 1/4 in. (98.4 x 74 x 5.7 cm)
MediumGround mineral pigments on cotton
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin
Object numberC2006.66.539
Himalayan Art Resources Number1015
Project Himalayan Arthttps://projecthimalayanart.rubinmuseum.org/essays/lukhang-murals/
DescriptionThis fine painting portrays 113 apparitional deities arranged by categories. The innermost circle enshrines the Supreme Heruka together with the Five Transcendental Herukas, all paired with their consorts. The two large concentric circles complete the 58 deities that characterize the wrathful hallucinations of the Bardo Thodrol. The figures outside the circles comprise the canonical 42 peaceful deities complemented by other figures, like those of the Four Gatekeepers, the wrathful figures paired on each side of the central circles. At top center Samantabhadra and his consort preside over the whole assembly of deities, which is closed at the bottom center by the Five Awarenessholders also standing with their consorts.
Not on view