047
The Adi Buddha, Mahottama ("Greatest-Best") Heruka of the Nyingma
Tradition
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
31.5 x 42.5 inches
Southern Tibet or Nepal Himalaya
Ca. 17th century
Folk tradition
Heruka deities are enlightened beings that adopt fierce forms to express
their liberation from the world of ignorance. The central paired-deity,
Mahottama ("Greatest-Best") Heruka and his prajna, are a peaceful/wrathful
manifestation of enlightenment and a form of the Adi Buddha Samantabhadra.
Mahottama Heruka may also serve as a personal protective deity. Despite
the fierce appearence, the practitioner recognizes that it is the peaceful
nature of Mahottama Heruka that serves as a guide and protector. The wrathful,
dynamic appearence is merely to motivate a devotee to follow the right path.
Sonal Patel
Museum #: 92.066
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1036