from temple in Tibet

Tibetan Buddhist temple painting (detail), showing Yama, Lord of the Dead

This detail is from a Tibetan Tantric Buddhist temple painting depicting Buddha, seated on a lotus throne, surrounded by other divine beings including Yama, Lord of the Dead. Yama judges people and can decide how their life-essence will be reincarnated.

This detail from the painting shows Yama as a wrathful blue god, standing on his buffalo and wielding his skull staff, symbolising the power of death. Human heads hang from his waist, and he wears a crown of skulls. The buffalo tramples a human figure.

Tibetan Buddhist temple paintings are made for lengthy contemplation, and are full of complex symbolism. By meditating on Yama, Tantric Buddhists can focus on overcoming their fear of death and on avoiding having to face Yama after their own death.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-180-000-784-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2 Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1954.334
Date:	Around 1900
Material:
Dimensions:	14.00" x 11.50" painting; 21.75" x 18.00" frame
What:	Thanka / painting / Buddha / throne / deity
Subject:	Tankas
Who:	Buddha
Where:	Tibet
Event:	Tibet Mission
Description:	Temple painting showing Buddha seated cross-legged on a lotus throne surrounded by smaller deities, in colours on prepared cloth, framed and glazed: Tibet, obtained by the donor on the 1903 - 1904
References:	Sheridan, J A (ed). Heaven and Hell and Other Worlds of the Dead. Edinburgh: National Museum of Scotland, 2000.
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