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Manuscript Cover with Prajnaparamita Flanked by Buddha Shakyamuni or the Jina Buddha Akshobhya (left) and Amitayus, the Buddha of Eternal Life (right), From a Prajnaparamita (The Perfection of Wisdom)14th century

On view:
Resnick Pavilion, floor 1
Carved wooden panel with dense scrollwork border and recessed central field featuring two seated meditating figures in arched niches flanking a multi-armed central figure amid swirling foliage
Rectangular wooden manuscript cover with deep relief carving; three seated deity figures amid dense scrolling foliage, the central figure beneath an arched throne canopy flanked by makara dragons, surrounded by a border of continuous foliate scrollwork; warm reddish-brown patina throughout.
Carved wooden architectural panel with deep relief work in dark brown tones; a crowned multi-armed deity seated in lotus position occupies a central niche, flanked by scrolling foliage, crouching lion figures, and a multi-headed figure above; traces of red pigment visible; beaded borders frame the composition.
Carved wooden architectural panel, dark brown with aged patina, featuring a seated figure in meditation posture within a pointed arch niche, surrounded by dense scrolling acanthus-like foliage in high relief, with beaded border bands above and below.
Carved wooden panel with deep relief work; a crowned deity seated in meditation within a pointed arch niche at center, surrounded by dense scrolling foliate carvings; bordered by beaded molding at top and bottom; dark brown patinated wood.
Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Manuscript Cover with Prajnaparamita Flanked by Buddha Shakyamuni or the Jina Buddha Akshobhya (left) and Amitayus, the Buddha of Eternal Life (right), From a Prajnaparamita (The Perfection of Wisdom)
Place Made
Western Tibet (?)
Date Made
14th century
Medium
Wood with traces of opaque watercolor and gold
Dimensions
10 1/2 x 28 1/8 x 1 1/8 in.; 26.7 x 71.4 x 2.9 cm
Credit Line
Gift of Paul F. Walter
Accession Number
M.86.345.12
Classification
Manuscripts
Collecting Area
South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes

Prajnaparamita texts constitute an important genre of Mahayana literature. They describe various perfections (paramitas) associated with the bodhisattva path to Buddhahood, including the extraordinary insights constituting the perfection of wisdom (prajna). The perfection of wisdom came to personified as a goddess, who is enthroned in the center of this manuscript cover. She is flanked on the left by Buddha Shakyamuni calling the earth to witness his right to achieve Enlightenment or the Jina Buddha Akshobhya, and on the right by Amitayus, the Buddha of Eternal Life. The figures are set against a dense background of scrolling foliage enlivened with leaping leogryphs.

The exterior of the cover was originally painted in gold with red and black highlights.


Selected Bibliography
  • Little, Stephen, Tushara Bindu Gude, Karina Romero Blanco, Silvia Seligson, Marco Antonio Karam. Las Huellas de Buda. Ciudad de México : Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, 2018.