058
Set of Offerings to The Benefactor, Mahakala ("Great Black/Time")
Xylograph on silk
Silk and printing ink
13.0 x 22.5 inches
Indeterminate region
Ca. 19th century
Indeterminate style
Such works, showing propitiation offerings, are
known as gyan tshok ("host of ornaments"), or kangja ("materials
for the banquet"). Specifically, this object portrays the attributes
and attire of Mahakala which are to be used by the practitioner during the
realization process. Through meditation, the practitioner realizes that
he or she is identical with Mahakala and offers these attributes to him
or herself to use as the deity. Sets of attributes for various forms of
Mahakala are included in the print, suggesting that a devotee may choose
any particular form to meditate on.
Chad Sawyer
Offerings to Mahakala
Essay
Museum #: 92.061
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1061