Accession Number
1985/2.49

Title
Guru Dragpo Votive Plaque, in the shape of a lotus petal

Artist(s)

Object Creation Date
18th century

Medium & Support
bone

Dimensions
11 13/16 in. x 7 1/2 in. x 3 1/2 in. ( 30 cm x 19 cm x 8.9 cm )

Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund

Label copy
March 28 2009
Wrathful or fierce deities are characteristic of the art of Tantric Buddhism. Terrifying in appearance, these ferocious beings are actually positive forces that help the faithful combat both external and internal obstacles to enlightenment. External threats to salvation include demons and disease; inner states that keep one from enlightenment include anger, ignorance, sloth, and lust.
Guru Dragpo (“wrathful teacher” in Tibetan), a representation of the famed eighth-century Tantric Buddhist master, Padmasambhava, can be identified by the nine-headed scorpion he holds. Invited to Tibet by King Trisong Detsen (ruled 755–797) to subdue the fierce native deities that were preventing Buddhism from becoming established, Padmasambhava transformed these demon adversaries into protectors of the Buddhist religion. Dorje Legpa, displayed nearby, is one of these “oath-bound” protectors.
(Label for UMMA Buddhist Gallery Opening Rotation, March 2009)

Subject matter
An incised image of Vajrapâni, the "Thunderbolt-bearer," an important bodhisattva in the Tibetan Buddhist faith, depicted in his wrathful form. He has a third eye, and his hair is depicted sweeping up and back as though on fire. He wears an elephant skin on his back (the elephant's head is just visible behond his right knee) and a tiger skin around his loins. He carries a vajra ("thunderbolt"—a pronged scepter) in his right hand. He stands in a dramatic pose (known as the "alida" stance, or "powerful kick"), often seen in wrathful deites, trampling underneath two figures that represent variously enemies of the faith or ignorance and greed.

Physical Description
A bas-relief carving made of bone and in the shape of a lotus petal, depicting a wrathful guardian of the Tibetan Buddhist faith. At the base of the "petal" are the tops of mountains, with the waves of the sea visible between them; in the rounded part of the "petal," a border of flames encircles a dynamic image of the bodhisattva Vajrapani in his wrathful form. The background behind Vajrapani is incised with closely spaced wavy lines, again suggesting flames.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
carving

Additional Object Classification(s)
Ritual Object

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Buddhism
Himalayan
Vajrayana
bodhisattva
bone (material)
flames
lotus (motif)