Tibetan Tantric Buddhist temple painting, showing Mahakala, the Great Power of Time

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This Tibetan Tantric Buddhist temple painting depicts the god Mahakala, the Great Power of Time, one of the protectors of Buddhism. He is shown wrathful at the enemies of Buddhism and at the forces hindering Buddhists from achieving nirvana.

The painting shows Mahakala, sitting on a human body, on a lotus throne. He drinks blood from a human skull cup, and before him are skull cups with other human parts. Around him are various divine, semi-divine and historical beings important to Buddhism.

Tibetan Tantric Buddhism involves lengthy meditation on temple paintings, which are full of complex symbolism. Through this worshippers gain insights into the principles and approaches of Buddhism.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-792-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1946.949
• Date: Mid 20th century
  
• Material: Painting / deity / flame / human / lotus throne / saint
  
• Dimensions: 66.00" x 63.00"
  
• What: Painting / deity / flame / human / lotus throne / saint
  
• Subject: Tankas
  
• Who:
• Where: Tibet
  
• Event:
• Description: Temple painting of a monstrous blue-skinned deity surrounded by flames seated on a human victim on a lotus throne and surrounded by deities and saints, in distemper colours on calico: Tibetan
  
• References:
• Translations:
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