Buddhists believe that the mind has the power to trap us or to liberate us [...]
Vajrapani is the tantric deity who holds the vajra, the indestructible thunderbolt and short scepter, the implement of actively compassionate methods [...]
Vajrayogini is omniscient buddhahood in female form. She is associated with wisdom, which is usually considered a feminine force in Buddhism. Although the [...]
A key political moment—as understood by later Tibetans and Asian emperors—is depicted in this portrait of Phakpa (1235–1280) empowering [...]
Tibet’s most beloved buddha, Tara represents a more peaceful and outwardly benevolent aspect of female power than the fierce goddesses likeDurga or Vajrayogini [...]
Dharma protectors are often invoked not only to wield their power aggressively but also to resist and repel other powers defensively [...]
The vajra is the essential symbol of the secret tantric path in Buddhism, which is known as the Vajrayana, the vajra vehicle [...]
__large-original-ratio.jpg)
Lotus mandalas count among the most fascinating objects of Esoteric Buddhist art. These three-dimensional representations of deity palaces typically feature [...]
Tibet’s history has been shaped by its national patron deity Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion [...]
Blessings spread and disseminate around the world through physical contact with sacred Buddhist objects such as relics and prayer wheels. The interactive work Metamorphy (2014), created by [...]
Although lamas’ footprints often appear on Tibetan paintings, the large size and elongated toes of the footprints in this artwork suggest that they represent footprints made by the Buddha Shakyamuni [...]
The Tibetan prayer wheel contains positive intentions in the form of mantras, and relies on the power of touch to activate these intentions [...]