Acala, The Buddhist Protector

Acala, The Buddhist Protector

Acala, The Buddhist Protector. Culture: Nepal, Kathmandu Valley. Dimensions: Overall: 32 x 26 1/2 in. (81.3 x 67.3 cm). Date: 15th century. Acala (literally, "immovable") is a wrathful manifestation of Manjushri. He wields a sword to dispatch ignorance and a noose to snare disbelievers. His enflamed wide eyes and a facial grimace exposing teeth express his fearsome aspect. He kneels with one knee on the ground, evoking his role as a protector of the earth. He is set in a flaming aureole, his knowledge field, and is honored with an elaborate archway (torana) topped by Garuda fighting two nagas. Numerous protective emanations surround him in a series of registers; in the lower register, a Vajracharya priest performs rituals for the benefit of the donor family seated opposite.

Distemper and gold on cloth

early Malla period

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

Album / Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY

Model: No - Property: No
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3479 x 4074 px | 40.6 MB

29.5 x 34.5 cm | 11.6 x 13.6 in (300 dpi)