Untitled

Unknown

12th century · Stone with polychrome · Asian Art

Mahakala, a fierce manifestation of the compassionate bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, is the supreme guardian of the Buddhist dharma (teachings) for the Sakya monastic order. His wrathful nature destroys all negative forces impeding spiritual awakening. Here Mahakala is seated on a prostrate corpse, symbolizing the ignorance he destroys and displaying the tools he uses to achieve this end.

Artist

Unknown

Date

12th century

Medium

Stone with polychrome

Culture

Tibet

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015