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alb3667268

Mandala of Monju Bosatsu

Mandala of Monju Bosatsu. Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 52 3/4 × 42 3/8 in. (134 × 107.6 cm) Overall with mounting: 85 1/4 × 51 1/2 in. (216.5 × 130.8 cm) Overall with knobs: 85 1/4 × 54 in. (216.5 × 137.2 cm). Date: 13th century. At the center of this mandala, which was used in rites to prevent natural calamities, is an orb framing Monju Bosatsu (Sanskrit: Bodhisattva Manjushri) surrounded by eight tiny Sanskrit seed syllables and eight attendants, each on the lion mount associated with the bodhisattva. Seed syllables are derived from mantras (sacred Buddhist formulas) or, as in this case, the first syllable of a particular deity's Sanskrit name. Representing wisdom, Monju holds his identifying attributes: the sword and sutra. His hair, bundled in eight knots, symbolizes his childlike purity and detachment. The Four Guardians of the Buddhist Law protect the corners of the inner square, and the outer band is filled with his retinue of eight bodhisattvas and devas, superhuman beings in Buddhist cosmology.
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Title:
Mandala of Monju Bosatsu
Caption:
Mandala of Monju Bosatsu. Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 52 3/4 × 42 3/8 in. (134 × 107.6 cm) Overall with mounting: 85 1/4 × 51 1/2 in. (216.5 × 130.8 cm) Overall with knobs: 85 1/4 × 54 in. (216.5 × 137.2 cm). Date: 13th century. At the center of this mandala, which was used in rites to prevent natural calamities, is an orb framing Monju Bosatsu (Sanskrit: Bodhisattva Manjushri) surrounded by eight tiny Sanskrit seed syllables and eight attendants, each on the lion mount associated with the bodhisattva. Seed syllables are derived from mantras (sacred Buddhist formulas) or, as in this case, the first syllable of a particular deity's Sanskrit name. Representing wisdom, Monju holds his identifying attributes: the sword and sutra. His hair, bundled in eight knots, symbolizes his childlike purity and detachment. The Four Guardians of the Buddhist Law protect the corners of the inner square, and the outer band is filled with his retinue of eight bodhisattvas and devas, superhuman beings in Buddhist cosmology.
Technique/material:
Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Period:
Kamakura period (1185-1333)
Museum:
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Credit:
Album / Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Releases:
? Model Release: No - ? Property Release: No
Rights questions?
Image size:
3151 x 4200 px | 37.9 MB
Print size:
26.7 x 35.6 cm | 10.5 x 14.0 in (300 dpi)
Keywords: