There are striking similarities between the Tibetan sculptures of the female goddess Tara and the Hindu deity Manasa.
Kashmira, known as the daughter of the Himalayas and Parvati, is revered by Hindus and Buddhist alike. Many of the characteristics of this sculpture were adopted by artists in parts of Tibet and the Western Himalayas.
The Hindu goddess Durga defeated the demigod Mahisha with her 16 arms. In Nepal, Durga is worshiped by many different groups during the Autumnal festival, as she is the goddess of the harvest season.
Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, is known to rescue the faithful from the eight fears, as they are depicted in this work: fear of fire, drowning, lions, wild elephants, bandits, ghosts, snakes, and false imprisonment.
This painting of Shantarakshita’s spiritual journey represents a change in Tibetan art””from Hindu to Chinese-inspired aesthetics, as seen in the dramatic landscapes, detailed ornaments, and rich color palette.
Depicting the mythical kingdom of Shambhala, artist Situ Panchen revived an old Tibetan painting tradition, placing large figures in vacant landscapes. Situ’s compositions continue to be influential to this day.
The 10th Karmapa is well known for combining a wide spectrum of influences in his artworks, ranging from Kashmir to China. This painting depicts the 13th Karmapa, who, like many other Tibetan artists, revered the 10th Karmapa for his artistic abilities.
Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, was worshiped by the Mongols, as he symbolized the hope for a new age in which they would renew their past empyreal glory.
This illustrated manuscript reveals the intricate calculations that characterize the Tibetan system of elemental divination. It predicts future events based on relationships formed between the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.