Mouseover Zoom loading...
Lot 53
Potalaka - The "Pure Land of Avalokiteshvara"
Estimated Value:
3.000 € - 5.000 €
Schätzpreis:
11.000 €
Description:
Tibet, Kham, 18th c-62,5 x 41 cm (113,5 x 66,5 cm)
The "Pure Land of Avalokiteshvara" rises high from the primeval ocean, on whose summit the three-story Potala Palace stands. Its real counterpart is the government palace of the Dalai Lamas in Lhasa, with the same name - Potala. The island on which the paradise of Avalokiteshvara is founded is surrounded by high rocks and rich in tree stands and green mats. Fortunate clouds waft around the summit and a cosmic rainbow radiation spans the palace. A solid wall surrounds the palace precinct with several gold-roofed gateways. In the sacrum of the temple resides, on a white moonlit lotus, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara as an emanation of the white-colored Padmapani. Two wrathful deities, and two bodhisattvas, surround Padmapani. He is the "lotus bearer", one of 108 emanations of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Undoubtedly, this bodhisattva, along with Buddha, is the most popular and revered deity of Tibet. In the ornamental body of the Samboghakaya, as the active, active wisdom of Buddha Amitabha, he shows himself in royal appearance, precious adorned. Every visible part of his sublime appearance is a sign of his, manifold virtues. Thus his sixfold adornment stands for devotion, morality, patience, strength, contemplation, and insight. The gazelle skin over his left shoulder illustrates the inclusion of animals in his compassion. He holds his right hand open outwardly granting wishes. With his left hand Padmapani holds the lotus stalk, symbol of purity and wisdom - because the lotus grows out of the mud and dirt, and blossoms in purity. Numerous personalities, such as the king Songtsen Gampo, lamas and laymen, crouch on cushions in the forecourt of the palace. On the second floor of the temple, Avalokitesvara appears in the emanation of Shadakshari, the "Lord of the Six Syllables" - om ma ni pad me hum. The "Bodhisattva of Compassion" is accompanied by two other Bodhisattvas (?). In the uppermost chapel of his palace, covered by a golden roof, another image of the Bodhisattva Padmapani appears in a casual sitting posture. In the cosmic circles surrounding the upper floors of the temple appear the Five Tathagatas, and the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Above the clouded top of the gold-roofed temple, celestial beings present sound offerings and gifts of honor. To the left and right, patriarchs and scholars of the Sakya school of Tibet present themselves. In the vast airspace, two lamas with flowing robes fly weightlessly, freed from all earthly bonds. At the foot of the Potala mountain, which is surrounded by the primeval ocean, one recognizes the world kings dressed in armor, who receive those seeking refuge at Padmapani. The ocean is bustling with activity. Many beings take all kinds of efforts to reach the Potala, swimming, by ship or on imaginary energy bridges. Helpers come to meet you, such as Green Tara, who swims on water towards a boat made of leather. Padmapani appears in person, partly on the green mats in front, partly on white clouds. The energetic equivalent of Avalokiteshvara, as the highly wrathful Hayagriva, also appears on an offshore floodplain. His almost chilling flaming energy, however, is not personally directed against the arrivals, but has a cleansing and healing effect on their accumulated karmic burdens, and ingrained obstacles. All these scenes promise help and salvation from various hardships of life. Thus, this Potala Palace of the "Bodhisattva of Compassion" Avalokiteshvara, represents a place of longing, for peace and salvation, in a serene happy atmosphere. Tempera and gold on cotton fabric. Original costly brown brocade border, with protective cloth and rods.
Important German private collection, collected in the 1970s and 80s, mostly acquired at Schoettle Ostasiatica, Stuttgart
Minor wear and traces of age
