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Awakening the Lotus Mind
Awakening the Lotus Mind
Awakening the Lotus Mind

Awakening the Lotus Mind

Artist Dhawa Dhondup
MediumAcrylic, canvas
Dimensions924 x 633 x 24 in. (2347 x 1607.8 x 61 cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineSeattle City Light 1% for Art Portable Works Collection
I am a Tibetan thangka painter. Thangkas are wall-hanging paintings. More than mere decoration, thangka paintings portray Tibetan Buddhist meditational deities, spiritual masters, and enlightened beings such as the Buddha and bodhisattvas. These figures are adorned with identifying and glorifying spiritual symbols. The consecrated thangkas generate blessings and protection to the patron and his family, not only in this life, but in the next life as well. Depending on the type of a deity, thangkas are also painted for the whole society to counteract karmic diseases, earthquakes, famine and so on. They help subdue impure, evil energies and generate pure, spiritual energies.
The Sanskrit names and representations of the deities in this painting are stated below:
1: Avalokiteshvara represents genuine compassion for all beings.
2. Manjushri represents eternal wisdom.
3. Vajrapani represents indestructible ultimate power.
4. Tara represents the mother of all bodhisattavas*.
5. Dakinis are celestial females or goddesses.
6. The “seven precious ones” represent the interdependent harmony of all beings. The lotuses here represent the true nature of mind which is pure as a vibrant sky free of all illusory negatives.

* Bodhisattavas are the compassionate and fully enlightened deities.
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