British Museum Top 20 Buddhism 13 Mahakala

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British Museum Top 20 Buddhism 13 Mahakala [17 of 26]

13. Mahakala – Tibet, 17C AD. This stone stele shows the dharmapala (protective figure) Mahakala as Lord of the Tent, an appropriate role given the nomadic lifestyle of many Tibetans. The garland of skulls, his fierce expression and the prone male figure being trampled underfoot all add to his terrifying appearance. These symbolize his ability to destroy all impediments to enlightenment. Mahakala holds in the crooks of his arms the long wooden sounding board used to summon monks to assembly. The half-bird, half-man figure of the Hindu deity Garuda is shown alongside Mahakala. In Mahakala's head-dress is his parent Buddha, Akshobhya, the Tathagata Meditation Buddha of the East.

British Museum Top 20 Buddhism 13 Mahakala 13. Mahakala – Tibet, 17C AD. This stone stele shows the dharmapala (protective figure) Mahakala as Lord of the Tent, an appropriate role given the nomadic lifestyle of many Tibetans. The garland of skulls, his fierce expression and the prone male figure being trampled underfoot all add to his terrifying appearance. These symbolize his ability to destroy all impediments to enlightenment. Mahakala holds in the crooks of his arms the long wooden sounding board used to summon monks to assembly. The half-bird, half-man figure of the Hindu deity Garuda is shown alongside Mahakala. In Mahakala's head-dress is his parent Buddha, Akshobhya, the Tathagata Meditation Buddha of the East.

DATE: 2006-07-26 15:55