This rare and well-preserved 13th-century Tibetan thangka details the historico-mythical transmission of Buddhism from India, its country of origin, to Tibet. Esoteric in nature, a thangka is an iconographical distillation of Buddhist teachings, or dharma, as well as an important teaching tool and guide for contemplative practice. In this magnificent painting on cloth, each figure illustrates the distinct lineage of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism as it was passed down from guru to disciple. Known as the Four Founding Kagyu Masters, the individuals portrayed in this work played a crucial role in ensuring the purity and direct verbal transmission of Buddhist principles across the centuries.
The Richard R. & Magdalena Ernst Collection of Himalayan Art
22 March | New York