Indian and Himalayan Art Sakya, Early 15th century Artist/maker
unknown, Central Tibetan Colors on cloth; cloth mounting
Currently not on view 1994-148-634Stella Kramrisch Collection,
1994 LabelThis thangka (scroll painting) depicts Adibuddha, a
peaceful deity and the primordial or quintessential Buddha. The
intense blue of Adibuddha's body signifies ultimate reality and
eternal truth. Seated in ritual meditation, he holds a bell and
a vajra (the stylized double thunderbolt or diamond scepter that
is the symbol of indestructibility from which Vajrayana Buddhism
derives its name). The bell and the vajra represent wisdom and
compassion, respectively; they coalesce as the path to
enlightenment. Adibuddha's elaborate throne is composed of a
host of mythical creatures. Important leaders of the Sakya order
of Vajrayana Buddhism mark the upper corners of the inner
rectangle, while other buddhas and deities fill the remaining
spaces. This painting was once part of a large set of thangkas
depicting deities important t