In Focus

Asura

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
In 1181, the Buddhist king Jayavarman VII drove the Cham from Khmer territory and established his rule over Angkor, the city that had been the seat of the Khmer since the 9th century.

Palden Lhamo

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Palden Lhamo is modeled here in her most popular form as the Glorious Queen Magzor (also known as Palden Remati). She also appears in Indian and Tibetan sacred art in her other forms such as the four-armed Dudsolma. She rides her mule over an ocean of blood in this fine partial gilt bronze. She is joined by her two aco­lytes, Makaravaktra (seamonster-headed goddess) and Simhavaktra (lion-headed goddess).

Kadampa Stupa

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The stupa is a physical embodiment of the Buddhist faith. The large masonry stupas of the ancient world enshrined the remains of Buddha Shakyamuni and other important figures in Buddhist history. Smaller stupas such as this example from the Kadampa school of Tibetan Buddhism are meant for placement on altars.

Green Tara (Syamatara)

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Tibetan bronze images of Buddhist dei­ties and stupas are cast hollow so that the required scrolls of mantras and prayers can be inserted together with sacred sub­stances and relics. Once this is done, the bottom is sealed by a copper plate marked with a double vajra symbolizing the im­mutable state of enlightenment. Bronze images are gilded with pure gold and orna­mented with jewels such as the turquoise insets seen here.

Vajrabhairava

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Vajrabhairava Tantra is attributed to Shakyamuni Buddha (6th century BCE). It is part of his transmission of the Tantras, which are complex esoteric teachings meant for the rare disciples capable of understanding and practicing them.

Mahottara Heruka and the Nyingmapa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Mahottara Heruka, known in Tibetan as Chemchok Heruka (che mchog he ru ka), is the wrathful form of Buddha Samantabhadra who is the primordial buddha for some lineages. The esoteric tradition reveals how each aspect of Mahottara Heruka represents a transformation of the inner channels, winds, and essences that are primary subjects of Tantric practice.
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