TIBET - 19th century
TIBET - 19th century Thangka, tempera on canvas, Abhayakaragupta (Jigme Jungne Bapa, died in 1125), seated and surrounded by a serpent. He performs the gesture of fearlessness (abhaya mudra), flanked by Ratnasambhava, Vajra Yogini, and Mahakala Panjarnata. (Signs of wear, creases). Dimensions: 67 x 44 cm Abhayakaragupta was the abbot of Vikramasila Monastery, the famous Vajrayana Buddhist monastery located in present-day Bihar. In the traditional sequence of the Narthang series, Abhayakaragupta is the fourth figure. He is considered the last historical Indian figure in the lineage of the Panchen Lamas, his spiritual successor being the Tibetan Go Lotsawa Khugpa Lhatse. The traditional account explains the serpent as a miracle: Abhayakaragupta is said to have caused a gigantic serpent to appear in order to subdue adversaries who were practicing human sacrifice. It is said that he dreamed of Vajra Yogini (top left) and subdued Mahakala (bottom right). Reference: a thangka on the same subject housed at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, no. B60D58 Expert: Cabinet PORTIER et Associés
[ translate ]TIBET - 19th century Thangka, tempera on canvas, Abhayakaragupta (Jigme Jungne Bapa, died in 1125), seated and surrounded by a serpent. He performs the gesture of fearlessness (abhaya mudra), flanked by Ratnasambhava, Vajra Yogini, and Mahakala Panjarnata. (Signs of wear, creases). Dimensions: 67 x 44 cm Abhayakaragupta was the abbot of Vikramasila Monastery, the famous Vajrayana Buddhist monastery located in present-day Bihar. In the traditional sequence of the Narthang series, Abhayakaragupta is the fourth figure. He is considered the last historical Indian figure in the lineage of the Panchen Lamas, his spiritual successor being the Tibetan Go Lotsawa Khugpa Lhatse. The traditional account explains the serpent as a miracle: Abhayakaragupta is said to have caused a gigantic serpent to appear in order to subdue adversaries who were practicing human sacrifice. It is said that he dreamed of Vajra Yogini (top left) and subdued Mahakala (bottom right). Reference: a thangka on the same subject housed at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, no. B60D58 Expert: Cabinet PORTIER et Associés
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