051
The Heruka Buddha, Yamantaka ("Yama-Destroyer") or Vajrabhairava
("Adamantine Rage") and other Heruka Deities
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
Size?
Indeterminate region
Ca. 19th century
Indeterminate style
The central figure, Vajrabhairava ("Adamantine
Rage") and his prajna Vajravetalya ("Adamantine-graveyard-ghost"),
is the wrathful manifestation of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. To
the paired-deity's left is Cakrasamvara with Vajravarahi, and on the right
is Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra with Sparshavajri. These deities represent
three of the main Tantric systems practiced by the Gelug sect. At the top
center, is Tsongkhapa, the founder of the school, flanked by his two principle
disciples. BelowVajrabhairava are a group of protective deities whose rituals
are performed by the Gelug order.
Cathleen Cummings
Museum #:97.276
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1039