Himalayan Buddhist Art 101 - Who Created The Hindu Gods - Tricycle - The Buddhist Review

7/13/2021 Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Who Created the Hindu Gods?
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TRIKE DA I LY
HIMAL AYA N B U D DHIST ART 101
Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Who Created the

Hindu Gods?
By Jeff Watt
F EB 1 4 , 2 0 1 3
B uddhist practice and Buddhist art have been inseparable in the Himalayas ever
since Buddhism arrived to the region in the eighth century. But for the casual observer it
can be difficult to make sense of the complex iconography. Not to worry—Himalayan art
scholar Jeff Watt is here to help. In this “Himalayan Buddhist Art ” series, Jeff is making
sense of this rich artistic tradition by presenting weekly images from the Himalayan Art Resources
archives and explaining their roles in the Buddhist tradition.
Who Created the Hindu Gods?
Avalokiteshvara – Rakta Lokeshvara

(Red Lord of the World). Tibet,
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1800–1899. Gelug
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lineage.70.49×45.72cm. Ground
mineral
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Collection of Rubin Museum of Art.
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7/13/2021 Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Who Created the Hindu Gods? - Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
This might seem like a strange question when looking at

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Buddhist art but it has its place. According to one
Mahayana Buddhist text, the Karandavyuha Sutra, at least
nine of the well-known Hindu gods are created from the
compassionate activity of Avalokiteshvara. The sutra,
dating from the th or th century, was translated from
Sanskrit into both Tibetan and Chinese.
The iconography depicting Avalokiteshvara creating the

Hindu gods appears in both Nepalese and Tibetan art.
Known depictions all follow the same basic iconography
and composition, where the central figure is a standing red
Avalokiteshvara with one face and two hands. The left
hand points downward in a gesture of generosity, holding a
flower blossom. The right arm points down in the same gesture, also sometimes holding
the stem of a flower blossom. The figure is peaceful and beautiful in appearance, wearing
lavish jewelery and heavenly garments. Draped over his left shoulder is the obligatory
krishnasara deer skin.
Avalokiteshvara – Rakta Lokeshvara

(Red
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Lord of the $6.99 aNepal,
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1800–1899. 72.39×54.61cm. Ground
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Collection of Rubin Museum of Art.
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Surrounding the large central figure of Avalokiteshvara are the Hindu gods, emanations
originating from specific locations on the body of Avalokiteshvara. In some paintings a ray
of light extends outward and the god manifests on a lotus seat; in others it is a trail of white
clouds. The resulting composition consists of the large central subject of Avalokiteshvara
with many small figures of gods surrounding and framing him.
The Karandavyuha Sutra (Tibetan translation) reads,
From the eyes are the sun [Surya] and moon [Chandra], from the forehead
Maheshvara [Shiva], from the shoulder Brahma, from the heart the Great
Powerful One [Vishnu], from the teeth the Goddess Sarasvati, from the mouth all
of the wind is born [Vayu], from the feet earth [Bhudevi], and from the belly arises
the Water God [Varuna].
Avalokiteshvara – Rakta
Lokeshvara (Red Lord of the
World). Nepal, 1700–1799.
85.09×67.31cm. Ground mineral
pigment on cotton. Collection of
Rubin Museum of Art.
Although consistent in composition, the paintings vary in their respective iconographies for
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each of the Hindu gods. Variations include the colors of the gods, the numbers of arms, and
the attributes held in the hands. Additional gods are also sometimes added to the original
nine mentioned in the sutra. The placement of the gods in the composition can also vary
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slightly, with some artists, for example, placing Shiva higher in the hierarchy, closer to the
head of Avalokiteshvara, and other gods lower.
Regardless of the minor iconographic differences, the overall theme and composition of
the paintings is clear and consistent, based in the Karandavyuha Sutra, where
Avalokiteshvara is the creator and progenitor of the Hindu Gods.
Learn more about this form of Avalokiteshvara and explore source literature and text references
at Himalayan Art Resources, here.
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7/13/2021 Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Who Created the Hindu Gods?

- Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

Donate Online Courses Log In S U B SCRIBE

Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Who Created the

Who Created the Hindu Gods?

Avalokiteshvara – Rakta Lokeshvara

This might seem like a strange question when looking at

The iconography depicting Avalokiteshvara creating the

Avalokiteshvara – Rakta Lokeshvara

The Karandavyuha Sutra (Tibetan translation) reads,

Get Daily Dharma in your email

Your email here Sign Up

VIEW COMMENTS S U B SCRIBE

2. Dharma Centers Reopen Their Doors

3. Patience With Self

4. Six Small Meditations on Desire

5. The Noble Eightfold Path

Concern without Panic

1. The Seven Factors of Awakening

2. Living and Dying: Navigating the Bardos

4. Feeling Secure in an Unstable World

5. Aging as a Spiritual Practice

May All Beings Be Happy

Breathe In. Breathe Out. Now Watch Watchmen.

Your email here Sign Up

Copyright 2021. Tricycle. All rights reserved. Design by Point Five.

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