painting;
mandala;
繪畫(Chinese);
曼陀羅(Chinese)
- Museum number
- 1919,0101,0.174
- Description
-
Painted diagram, inscriptions identifying various parts of an altar, prepared for recitation of the Uṣṇīṣavijaya dhāraṇī. The circular bowls on the altar are for incense and water, and there are also lamps and vases. An image of the Buddha is placed at the centre. The officiatiant is seated at the south side of the altar (the bottom of the diagram) with another incense burner (or burners) behind him. Ink on paper.
- Production date
- 9thC-10thC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 68.70 centimetres (Image in mount)
-
Height: 44 centimetres (Image)
-
Width: 51 centimetres (Image in mount)
-
Width: 30.70 centimetres (Image)
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Zwalf 1985
Reciting this spell was believed to destroy the effects of evil ‘karma’; in the ‘Uṣṇīṣavijayā dhāraṇī sūtra’, translated into Chinese c. AD 676, the Buddha teaches it to the King of the heaven of the Thirty-three Gods to prevent his descent into hell. The circular bowls on the altar are for incense and water, and there are also lamps and vases. An image of the Buddha is placed at the centre. Inclusion of the names Bhaiṣajyarāja, Bhaiṣajyasamudgata, Bodhisattvas of Healing, together with Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta, suggests that the diagram was more likely intended for the recitation of a ‘dhāraṇī’ connected with meditation on the first two Bodhisattvas. The officiating Tantrist is seated at the south side of the altar (the bottom of the diagram) with another incense burner (or burners) behind him.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2016 7 May-4 Sep, Los Angeles, Getty Research Institute, Cave Temples of Dunhuang: Buddhist Art on China's Silk Road
- Associated titles
Associated Title: Uṣṇīṣavijaya dhāraṇī
- Acquisition date
- 1919
- Acquisition notes
- For full acquisition history, see 1919,0101,0.1.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1919,0101,0.174
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: Ch.00186 (Stein no.)
