AMNH Hall of Asian Peoples: Tibet
TIBET: THE BUDDHIST TRADITION
TSon-k'a-pa (the man from Onionland)
The Tibetan reformer who founded the Gelugpa (the so-called Yellow Hat) sect lived from 1357 to 1419. Considered an incarnation of the bodhisattva, Manjusri, he is depicted with the same attributes--the Sword of Truth and Book of Wisdom. The Yellow Hat sect has been dominant in Northern Buddhism and in Tibet since the 17th century. Called rJe-rin-po-c'e, the Precious Lord, TSon-k'a-pa is greatly revered and serves as a meditation deity.
MANJUSRI
The Buddhist embodiment of wisdom, he holds one of the highest positions in the Buddhist pantheon, although he entered it relatively late. It is believed that Manjusri came from China, where he was a great saint. He was also an engineer and architect and is credited with bringing civilization to Nepal. He may have been a deified culture hero of one of the northern Asian tribes, especially of the Manchus. The Manchu emperors of China (who were followers of Tibetan Buddhism) regarded him as their special deity.
VAJRADHARA
The Supreme Buddha of the Yellow Hat sect, he is the integrating Buddha, representing the sum total of buddha qualities. His attributes, the bell and sacred thunderbolt, held in his hands crossed over his breast, symbolize the essential nature of Tantric Buddhism--the union of wisdom and compassion.
TIBETAN SACRED TEXTS
The religious texts introduced with Buddhism into Tibet were written in Sanskrit, the ancient Hindu language. Most texts were translated into Tibetan, although mantras and some prayers remained in Sanskrit. The Tibetans had no writing until the 7th century, when they adopted an alphabet based on the Indian one then in use. Tibetan books are hand lettered or block printed on both sides of long strips of paper, and usually kept between hard covers of wood.
TSon-k'a-pa holds a book in his lap; both he and Manjusri support books on lotuses at their shoulders.
The Tibetan book shown here contains the text of the Kalacakra Tantra.
AMNH Hall of Asian Peoples: Tibet
TIBET: THE BUDDHIST TRADITION
TSon-k'a-pa (the man from Onionland)
The Tibetan reformer who founded the Gelugpa (the so-called Yellow Hat) sect lived from 1357 to 1419. Considered an incarnation of the bodhisattva, Manjusri, he is depicted with the same attributes--the Sword of Truth and Book of Wisdom. The Yellow Hat sect has been dominant in Northern Buddhism and in Tibet since the 17th century. Called rJe-rin-po-c'e, the Precious Lord, TSon-k'a-pa is greatly revered and serves as a meditation deity.
MANJUSRI
The Buddhist embodiment of wisdom, he holds one of the highest positions in the Buddhist pantheon, although he entered it relatively late. It is believed that Manjusri came from China, where he was a great saint. He was also an engineer and architect and is credited with bringing civilization to Nepal. He may have been a deified culture hero of one of the northern Asian tribes, especially of the Manchus. The Manchu emperors of China (who were followers of Tibetan Buddhism) regarded him as their special deity.
VAJRADHARA
The Supreme Buddha of the Yellow Hat sect, he is the integrating Buddha, representing the sum total of buddha qualities. His attributes, the bell and sacred thunderbolt, held in his hands crossed over his breast, symbolize the essential nature of Tantric Buddhism--the union of wisdom and compassion.
TIBETAN SACRED TEXTS
The religious texts introduced with Buddhism into Tibet were written in Sanskrit, the ancient Hindu language. Most texts were translated into Tibetan, although mantras and some prayers remained in Sanskrit. The Tibetans had no writing until the 7th century, when they adopted an alphabet based on the Indian one then in use. Tibetan books are hand lettered or block printed on both sides of long strips of paper, and usually kept between hard covers of wood.
TSon-k'a-pa holds a book in his lap; both he and Manjusri support books on lotuses at their shoulders.
The Tibetan book shown here contains the text of the Kalacakra Tantra.