15 C Tibetan Manuscript Cover -- The Buddha Shakyamuni with Symbols from the Stupa

This cover was executed with remarkable detail, showing an excellent control of the medium with elaborate woodwork both along the borders and in the central panel. In appreciation of the artist's work and teachers message, one studying its intricate abundance of iconography, might hardly know where to begin.

Viewing just one element in this complex work one finds the crescent moon and sun together in one symbol. Alone the sun stands for "Wisdom," personified as a female deity, and the moon "Method," which translates from the Sanskrit "upaya'" as "skillful means." Thus, both celestial bodies are illustrated in many tangkas above the primary deity's left and right, which concerns the union of Method and Wisdom, a practice that transforms the impure body, speech, and mind into the pure body, speech, and mind of the Buddha. This corresponds with the tradition of placing the sun and crescent moon, as one combined symbol, at the spire (chhatraveli) of the Stupa. A Tibetan style Stupa (chorten), though originally designed to enshrine relics, is now constructed for a multitude of auspicious purposes, as the three parts of its construction: the base, dome and spire are symbolic of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha.

This item authenticated by Glenn H. Mullin, Tibetologist, Writer, Lama.

Provenance
Tibetan Museum Society

Condition
Wear including surface abrasion, age cracks in grain, severely chipped edges with loss to border carving.

Measurements
Approximately 10" height X 29" width