Illustrated with a plethora of deities in attendance, Vairochana is central in this composition as he was primary in the Tattvasamgraha (Sarvadurgati Parishodhana) Tantra, masterpiece scroll of 1,037 deities. Vairochana is Lord of the Five Buddha Families and is central to Vajrayana Buddhism, also known as Tantric Buddhism, which offers an accelerated path to enlightenment and the attainment of Buddhahood.
In that the work of art here is Mongolian of origin, it should be noted that Kublai (Khubilai) Khan was known to be in the company of scholars who contributed original works on Vajrayana philosophy and were thus of the order to exert considerable power over ones thoughts. One such missionary, the Sa-skya-pa abbot 'Phags-pa (1235-80) initiated Kublai Khan into the Vajrayana fold and being both grateful and the founder of the YY¬an (Mongol Dynasty in China) Phags-pa was in turn appointed the Chinese "Imperial Preceptor", and charged to govern Tibet, though under the control of the Mongol court.
Type: Colored Background Style: Men-ri (Old) Region: Mongolia Primary Iconography: Vairochana Tibetan: nam par nang dze English: Central deity of the Vajradhatu MandalaPeriod: 19th Century
Collection: Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts Photo: Glenn H. Mullin and B. Batbold Catalog no.: 50007
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