About Acintya

Acintya, also Atintya, also Tunggal is the Supreme God of Indonesian Hinduism, especially on the island of Bali. Acintya is equivalent to the metaphysical concept of Brahman of Indian Hinduism, and is the Supreme God in traditional wayang theatre. Acintya is also known as Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, also Sanghyang Widi Wasa. All gods, goddesses and existence are believed to be the manifestation of the Acintya in Balinese Hinduism.

Kathmandu, The Land of Bhairava

Oct

2021

Buddhism, Culture, Hinduism Sambid Bilas Pant Leave a Comment

In popular lore, the god of time and death, Kaal Bhairava was considered to be the judge, jury, and executioner in ancient times. Anyone accused of the crime was made to stand before Kaal Bhairava for judgment. Bhairava in the Indra Jatra festival Under sunny skies, huge crowds packed the Durbar square in Kathmandu to witness the Indra Jatra festival. Among the many dazzling attractions, is a religious practice of the chariot procession of .

Hand-Painted Bhavachakra Wheel of Life Tibetan Thangka Art

Bhavachakra: Wheel of Life in Tibetan Art

Oct

2021

Art, Himalayan Art Pratima Leave a Comment

The wheel of life has also termed the Wheel of becoming or the Bhava chakra. The wheel of life is the mandala which represents the complex pictures of Buddhist views of the universe. Buddhists believe that the existence of the cycle of our life, death, rebirth, and sufferings seeks to escape together as a whole. According to Buddhism, the wheel of life is divided into five or six states or realms, into which a .

A brief introduction to Black Jambhala featuring Thangka and Statue collections

Sep

2021

Deities, Jambhala Samiksha Leave a Comment

Jambhala, Black (Tibetan: dzam bha la, nag po), a wealthy deity popularized in Tibet by Bari Lotsawa and the Kashmiri teacher Shakyashri Bhadra. Black Jambhala is known by Kubera in Hinduism. Kuber is the god of wealth. Originating in ancient India, he appeared from the river’s waters and passed on the ability to generate wealth to a monarch whose realm was experiencing severe financial troubles at the time. He also helps the impoverished and .

All about Applique Thangkas

Sep

2021

Art, Mandala, Thangka sadiksha Leave a Comment

Applique Thangkas is Known as göchen thangka in Tibet. The Huns of Central Asia were the first to use applique to decorate saddle blankets. It traveled eastward along the Silk Road, and Tibetans accepted it as a holy art form. Fabric thangkas were created in the 15th century utilizing an indigenous applique method. These thangkas, which are lavishly embroidered and appliqued, immediately became popular in Tibet. Because of its excellent quality materials, durability, suppleness, .

Applique Thangka of Vajrapani

Jul

2021

Art, Deities, Vajrapani sadiksha Leave a Comment

The applique thangka of vajrapani is created using hundreds of hand-cut and embroidered pieces of satin and brocade silk, stitched together with Mongolian horsetail. This applique is handmade by following traditional methods of strictly adhering to the proportions of deities as they are laid down in Buddhist scripture. About the Applique Vajrapani is revered as the embodiment of power and the keeper of the Buddha’s tantric teachings. He was given the mission of vanquishing .

Appearances and Identifications of Vajrapani

Jul

2021

Deities, Vajrapani sadiksha Leave a Comment

Vajrapani is one of the earliest and most recognizable characters of Buddhist art. He is known for carrying a vajra scepter and being a close attendant to the historical Buddha according to the Mahayana Sutras. In Vajrayana, Buddhism Vajrapani is entrusted to safeguard all of the Tantra literature and in this regard, he is known as Guhyapati – the Lord of Secrets. Different Forms of Vajrapani Vajrapani manifests in a variety of forms and looks, ranging .

1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa Thangka Painting

1st Karmapa Lama – Dusum Kyenpa

Jul

2021

1st Karmapa - Dusum Kyenpa, Karmapa Samiksha Leave a Comment

Dusum Khyenpa is known as the 1st Karmapa. Dusum Khyenpa is the founder of the Karma (Kamtsang) branch of the Kagyu Tradition. Dusum Khyenpa was born in Kham He served as Abbot of Daklha Gampo monastery after Gampopa and founded the Tsurphu monastery. He is becoming the seat of the incarnate Karmapa lamas. Dusum Khyenpa was the founder of the Karma Kagyu school and of its three main monasteries: Kampo Nenang Gon in 1164, .

The Vajrakilaya Mantra Banner

Jun

2021

Mandala, Mantra Samiksha Leave a Comment

Vajrakilaya (Dorje Phurpa), also known as Vajrakumara (Dorje Zhonu, Youthful Vajra), is a wrathful Heruka god who represents all the Buddhas’ enlightened action. Vajrakilaya is one of the Nyingma tantras’ eight Heruka deities. Guru Padmasambhava’s personal meditational deity is Vajrakilaya. When several hurdles appeared in his path, he engaged in meditation on Vajrakilaya. Who is Vajrakilaya? Vajrakilaya is the Buddha Vajrasattva’s wrathful form. He is distinguished by the fact that he wields the phurba .

Goddess of Wealth and Abundance – Vasudhara

Jun

2021

Art, Buddhism, Himalayan Art, Mandala Samiksha Leave a Comment

Vasudhara is named Shiskar Apa in Lahul and Spiti. She is comparable to the Earth goddesses Phra Mae Thorani in Theravada and Tai folk religion and Bhumidevi and Prithvi in Hinduism. She is also known as Goddess of Wealth and Abundance. Who is Vasudhara? Vasudhara (Tib. Norgyunma), the Buddhist bodhisattva of money, prosperity, and abundance, is a Buddhist bodhisattva of riches, prosperity, and abundance. She is revered in many Buddhist countries and is depicted in Buddhist art .

The Amitabha Buddha Mantra Banner

Jun

2021

Mantra Samiksha Leave a Comment

In Pure Land Buddhism, a form of East Asian Buddhism, Amitabha is the most important buddha. Amitabha is distinguished in Vajrayana Buddhism for his longevity, which attracts Western characteristics such as discernment, pure perception, and purification of the aggregates, as well as a deep awareness of the emptiness of all occurrences. Who is Amitabha Buddha? Amitabha Buddha is also known as Amitayus Buddha. According to Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, Amitabha Buddha is a celestial buddha. .