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Lot 57
A RARE AND FINE SILK APPLICATION THANGKA DEPICTING PADMASAMBHAVA
Estimated Value:
8.000 € - 12.000 €
Schätzpreis:
28.000 €
Description:
Bhutan, 18th c.61 x 50 cm (130 x 85 cm mit Montierung)
Brocades, silk satin, embroidery with gold threads; original silk satin border, with bija, protective cloth of batiked silk. Guru Padmasambhava (8th-9th century AD) or the "Precious Guru", as the great Indian scholar and magician is also called by the Tibetans, is considered in the tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, as the second Buddha of our present age. He is worshipped, according to the Trikaya teachings, as an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha and the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Under the Tibetan king Thrisong Detsen (844-790 B.C.), Padmasambhava brought to completion the introduction of Buddhism in the snow country, which had already been begun by the famous Indian scholar Shantarakshita (725-788 A.D.). Padmasambhava, especially due to his magical abilities, made possible the foundation of the first Buddhist monastery Samye, and the first monastic community of Tibet, which had previously been repeatedly hindered by demons. Because Padmasambhava was far ahead of his time in his abilities and knowledge, he kept his teachings as spiritual treasures (gTer ma) in secret places. These were found generations later by the so-called treasure discoverers (ter-tön) and made accessible to the faithful. One of these teachings, about the after-death state, has become known far beyond the borders of Tibet to the West under the title: "The Tibetan Book of the Dead". In this thangka, Padmasambhava is shown in his most iconographically common mode of representation. In his various emanations, Padmasambhava wears different hats. Along with the royal brocade cloak, he received from the king of the land the hat known as padma-mthong-sgrol, with which he is generally depicted, as in this picture. The name of the hat derives from the idea of being redeemed by merely looking at it. Consisting of five pieces of fabric, it symbolizes a lotus flower, which is why it is also called "possessing five leaves". The outside of the hat is equated with the visual meditation stage, and the inner hollow with the accomplished meditation stage. Its three leaves pointing upward represent the trikaya. The five-colored rim of the hat indicates its action as the embodiment of the Five Buddha Families. On the front lotus leaf of the hat, a sun and a crescent moon are depicted, representing his realization of "method"
(crescent moon) and "Supreme Knowledge" (sun). The blue ribbon is considered a symbol of his countless vows, and the half vajra located on the tip of the hat as a sign of the steadfastness of his meditation. The vulture feathers pinned on the vajra indicate that he has attained the highest goal of the atiyoga exercises, and the highest realization. In front of his heart Padmasambhava holds the diamond scepter in a threatening finger posture (to ward off negative influences), and in his lap the skull bowl. In the crook of his left arm leans the mythical staff, Khatvanga, composed of: Trident - which symbolically destroys the three roots of all evil: avarice, hatred, and pride; the three skulls of the three times; golden water of life vase; double vajra and silk ribbons. The symbolic ritual staff is emblematic of the unity of bliss and emptiness, and represents the loving union (yab-yum) with the spiritual partner. In the diamond seat he is enthroned on a moon lotus growing up from the primeval ocean, as an indication of the purity of his spirit nature. To the left and right are his two disciples, Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal. His head is surrounded by a green radiant gloriole. The aura of the guru is formed by allegorical animals symbolizing the virtues of a world ruler. Above the guru appears Buddha Amitabha, between the sun and the moon. In the upper left corner, the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara-Padmapani is enthroned on his lunar lotus, holding a lotus stem in his right hand. Opposite him appears the first king of Bhutan Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (?) (born 594 in Lhasa/Tibet, died: 1651 in Punakha/Bhutan). Below left a Tsan demon appears, enveloped by blazing flames, and opposite, wrapped in black smoke and riding on a mule, the powerful protector Palden Lhamo (?), here holding bow and arrow. In the center below, a patriarch of the Drugpa school of Bhutan is enthroned on an altar table. This thangka is an extraordinary monastic work!
Important German private collection, collected in the 1970s and 80s, mainly acquired at Schoettle Ostasiatica, Stuttgart.
Cf. Therese Tse Bartholomew and John Johnston, The Dragons Gift, The sacred arts of Bhutan; Serindia, 2008, No. 87 - Bhutan - Sacred Art from the Himalayas, Museum Rietberg, Zurich, 2010, No. 6, pp. 28-29
Very minor traces of age
