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075
Mandala of Peaceful Deities of the Bardo (The "Interval" Between Death and Rebirth)

Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
21.0 x 27.0 inches
Central Tibet
Ca. 17th century?
Indeterminate style

This painting is a mandala encompassing all of the forty-two peaceful Bardo deities. The central figure is the Adi Buddha, Samantabhadra, who is shown in union with his prajna. The paired deity is the progenitor of the mandala and the source from whom the remaining deities emanate. Realization of the Bardo deities during the moments of death, or the time immediately after death, leads to particular levels of rebirth, or to liberation.

Cathleen Cummings

Bardo Essay

Mandala Essay

 

Museum #: 97.071

Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1075