063
The Benefactor, Mahapandaka Mahakala (T. Gonpo Maning, "Genderless
[or] Eunuch Angry One")
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
20.25 x 29.75 inches
Eastern Tibet
Ca. 18th century
Indeterminate style
Mahapandaka is a two-armed form of Mahakala known as the "Genderless" or "Eunuch" who is venerated by the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The deity holds a lance or banner in his right hand. In his left hand he holds the tulip-shaped heart and kidneys of an enemy. Surrounding the central image are seven other inscribed forms of Mahakala. Directly above Mahapandaka is the Adi Buddha, Samantabhadra, who is the Nyingma manifestation of the Absolute Reality.
Tom Suchan
Museum #: 95.012
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1065