Description

Yellow Jambhala with Medicine Buddha Thangka is hand-painted on Cotton Canvas in Kathmandu, Nepal. In Hindushim, it is also called Kubera. It is painted Jambhala Thangka is the god of prosperity in Buddhism and helps to eradicate poverty.

Yellow Jambhala is presented at the center of the thangka. Shakyamuni Buddha is presented at the top left corner of the Yellow Jambhala in the thangka. Vajrasattva is presented at the top of the Yellow Jambhala in the thangka.

Medicine Buddha is presented at the top right corner of the Yellow Jambhala in the thangka. Two standing goddesses are presented at the bottom left and bottom right corner of the Yellow Jambhala in the thangka.

Iconography of Yellow Jambhala

Yellow Jambhala is considered the most popular and powerful Wealth of God. He is the emanation of Buddha Ratnasambhava. He can remove poverty within the six realms, increasing virtues, life span, and wisdom.

He is also said to be an emanation of Vaisravana, one of the “Four Great World-protecting Heavenly Kings”. He is the guardian of light in Buddhism, a great charitable deity who grants fortune and protection. Lord Vaisravana lives in the northern region under the Four Heavens, at the northern crystal palace on the fourth level of Mount Sumeru.

According to the commentary on Lotus Sutra, this heavenly king is extremely knowledgeable as his perpetual protection of the Buddhas has enabled him to receive many teachings. Yellow Jambhala has a yellow-colored body, he sits in the vajra position with his right leg in the panhandle, his right foot is above a snail and lotus flower, and his left leg is kinked. He has one face and two arms. His left-hand holds a mongoose named Nehulay which spews forth precious jewels from its mouth, while his right hand holds gems-shaped fruit and leaf of a lotus.

An ordinary image of Lord Vaisravana is one that holds a precious pagoda in the left, which pours out various treasures. In Tibetan Tantric images, the precious pagoda is replaced by the treasure-emitting mongoose. Yellow Jambhala sits on a lotus, sun disk, and moon disk.

Mantra of Yellow Jambhala

The mantra of Yellow Jambhala is Om Jambhala Jalendraye Svaha.

Iconograpy of Shakyamuni

Shakyamuni Buddha is presented at the top left corner of the Yellow Jambhala in the thangka. His left hand is in the lap holding a begging bowl while the right arm is extended across the leg with the fingers touching the earth.

His skin is golden in color, the eyes partially closed and the hair piled with a gold ornament adorning the top of the head.

A dot (bindi or “urna”) between the eyebrows and the earlobes is elongated and pierced. The shoulders are covered with an orange and red robe wrapped around the torso and legs and tied at the waist with a green sash.

Mantra of Shakyamuni

The mantra of Shakyamuni is Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Soha.

Iconography of Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva is presented at the top of the Yellow Jambhala in the thangka. Vajrasattva is pure white in color and is sometimes known as the Prince of Purity. His name means “Adamantine Being”, or more poetically “Embodying Reality”.

He is a member of the Vajra family of Aksobhya which also includes Vajrapani. He is depicted as a young man in the prime of life, with all the silks and jewels of a wealthy prince.

In his right hand, he delicately balances a vajra at his heart. In his left hand, he holds a bell at his waist. The vajra represents Reality, and Compassion; while the bell represents Wisdom.

Vajrasattva is said to have been originated from the seed syllable Hum and is generally invoked for removal of obscuration of Kleshavarana and Jneya Avarana.

His hundred syllable mantra is very efficacious in purifying our defilements through confession practice. It is said if confession is done with the four opponent powers, then non-virtuous actions or obscurations will be purified.

Mantra of Vajrasattva

The mantra of Vajrasattva is Om Vajrasattva Hum.

Iconography of Medicine Buddha

Medicine Buddha is presented at the top right corner of the Yellow Jambhala in the thangka. Medicine Buddha is the popular term for Bhaisajyaguru and refers to healing blue light transmitted by his representation and conception. Bhaisajyaguru means “Master of Blue Light”.

His healing energy is transmitted through a blue light wavelength called Vaydurya light. Medicine Buddha radiates this healing energy. Think of the light as internal chakra energy.