045
Mandala of The Bodhisattva, Rakta Shadakshari ("Red, Six-Syllabled")
Avalokiteshvara
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
18.75 x 21.5 inches
Tsang District
Ca. 15th or 16th century
Menri of the Sakya pa style
Rakta ("red") Shadakshari ("Six
Syllabled") Avalokiteshvara is the central progenitor Buddha of the
mandala. He also appears four additional times in the position of the jinas
in the cardinal directions. In each of these four directional representations
he is depicted in union with his corresponding female aspect. This is a
direct statement of the enlightened state of Avalokiteshvara and his identity
as the five Buddhas. The four female aspects: Panduravasini, Lochana, Mamaki,
and Shyama Tara, are repeated in the intermediary points of the inner eight-petaled
lotus.
Chaya Chandrasekhar & Ariana Maki
Rakta Shadakshari Avalokiteshvara Essay
Museum #: 96.018
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1052