22
Apr
2020
Interpreting Buddhist Invincible God Ajita
Ajita is the 2nd arhat from the set of 16 great arhats. Ajita is known as ma Pham in Tibet, Sthavira Ajita in Sanskrit.
Table of Contents
The Life of the Ajita
Ajita had all the signs of great virtue. He and the daughter of King Prasenajit fell in love and, even though he was a commoner, Ajita gradually proved his worthiness to the king and they were married.
The Buddha explained that in a past life they had made offerings to the Buddha Vipashyin who predicted that in a future life they would marry and then be attracted to the religious life. Ajita and his wife cut-off all worldly attachment and joined the Sangha. Ajita became celebrated as the most meritorious of the Buddha’s disciples.
He now dwells on Drang-song (the hermit-sage mountain), with 100 arhats. Seeing Ajita with his hands in the meditation mudra gives the ability to enter into meditation with moral perfection, and he grants protection and steadfast devotion to practice.
In this section, we are going to learn about the life of the Ajita and we will learn about the short etymological description of the word Ajita itself.
Iconography of the Ajita
In the iconography, we are going to learn about body posture, hand, and leg gestures and different representations of the Ajita in thangka and statue.
Posture of the Ajita
Ajita is handsome in appearance. The results of an accumulation of virtue. Ajita gazes forward in a mood of tranquility. The two hands of Ajita are well placed in the lap performing the mudra (gesture) of meditation.
Ajita is wearing the orange and red robes of a monk; the upper in the style of prolonged meditation covers the head and shoulders. On a cushioned mat, he sits at the entrance of a retreat cave beneath the sharp jagged peaks of Rishi Mountain, the home to numerous nesting birds. Ajita is hanging at the right is a bag of supplies and below is a cooking pot.
Kneeling in front two monks offer precious jewels as a family of rhinoceros stand at the side. On the Rishi mountain in Crystal Forest is the noble elder Ajita. Ajita is surrounded by 100 arhats; an homage to the One with the two hands placed in meditation.
Previously, we learn about the life of Ajita and the iconography of the Ajita. Now we are going to learn about Depicting Buddhist Elder Ajita Thangka.
Depicting Buddhist Elder Ajita Thangka
The thangka of Ajita is Eastern Tibet. It was made in between 1700 AD to 1799 AD. Ajita is from Drukpa (Kagyu) and Buddhist lineage. The size of the painting is 53.98×38.74cm. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Presently, this painting is in the Rubin Museum of Art.
By depicting this thangka we will learn about the presentation of Ajita with Tibetan teacher, Vajrayogini, and wrathful Worldly Protector.
Tibetan teacher
Tibetan teacher is at the top center of the Ajita in the thangka. Tibetan teacher is wearing monastic robes and a red cap of the Drugpa Kagyu School. The right hand of Ajita is held to the heart in the gesture (mudra) of blessing and the left supports a begging bowl in the lap.
Vajrayogini
Vajrayogini is at the right of the Ajita in the thangka. Vajrayogini meditational deity. Vajrayogini is also known as Varahi who is red in color with one face and two hands holding upraised a curved knife and skullcup to the heart. Vajrayogini is standing in a dancing posture.
Wrathful Worldly Protector
Wrathful Worldly Protector is at the bottom left of the Ajita in the thangka. Wrathful Worldly Protector is dark in color, with one face and two hands holding a bow and arrow aimed at a running figure and riding a dark blue horse. The Sixteen Great Arhats are generally painted as a set.
Previously, we learn about the life of Ajita, the iconography of the Ajita, and Depicting Buddhist Elder Ajita Thangka. Now we are going to learn about the presentation of Ajita with Mahasiddha Vinapa.
Ajita with Mahasiddha Vinapa Thangka
The thangka of Ajita is Tibet. It was made in between 1700 AD to 1799 AD. Ajita is from Buddhist lineage. The size of the painting is 91.44×58.42cm. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Presently, this painting is in the Rubin Museum of Art.
By depicting this thangka we will learn about the presentation of Ajita with Dark-Skinned Mahasiddha, Buddha Shuradatta, and Brahma, etc.
In the thangka, Aijita is wearing the robes of a fully ordained monk and a white cloth over the head. Ajita sits in Meditation posture with the hands folded in the lap. The Arhat Ajita typically wears a head covering.
On the right side of the thangka, there is the Mahasiddha Vinapa in the typical dress of an Indian who is holding a vina and stringed instrument in the lap.
Dark-Skinned Mahasiddha
Dark-Skinned Mahasiddha is at t the right of the thangka. At the right of the thangka, there is a is wearing bone ornaments and a tiger skin skirt.
Buddha Shuradatta and Brahma
Buddha Shuradatta is at the top left of the thangka on the right Brahma. Both Buddhas are from the set of Thirty-five Confession Buddhas.
Previously, we learn about the life of Ajita, the iconography of the Ajita, Depicting Buddhist Elder Ajita Thangka, and the presentation of Ajita with Mahasiddha Vinapa. Now we are going to learn about Ajita with Sakyamuni Buddha Thangka.
Ajita with Sakyamuni Buddha Thangka
The thangka of Ajita with Sakyamuni Buddha is from Tibet. It was made in between 1800 AD to 1899 AD. Ajita is from Gelug and Buddhist lineage. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. The thangka of Ajita with Sakyamuni Buddha is from a private collection.
By depicting this thangka we will learn about the presentation of Ajita.
Ajita is known as the 2nd elder from the set of Sixteen Great Elders. Ajita sits on the Rishi Mountain and in Crystal Forest is the Noble elder Ajita. Ajita is surrounded by 100 arhats.
The Elder Ajita is most commonly portrayed with the hands placed in the mudra of meditation. However, there are several different and varying traditions graphically depicting the arhats. The Sixteen Great Arhats are generally painted as a set.
Typically the full group would include the buddha Shakyamuni, the 16 arhats, the attendant Dharmatala, the patron Hvashang and the Four Guardians of the Directions: Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dhritarashtra, and Virudhaka.
Previously, we learn about the life of Ajita, the iconography of the Ajita, Depicting Buddhist Elder Ajita Thangka, and the presentation of Ajita with Mahasiddha Vinapa. At last, we learn about the representation of Ajita with Sakyamuni Buddha Thangka.
Vajradhara Thangka Painting
Vajradhara Thangka Painting is hand-painted by a thangka artist in Nepal. Vajradhara is also known as primordial Buddha.
