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Guardians of the Sacred Word

Lower cover from an unidentified manuscript
carved and painted wood , Tibet , circa 1200 , 26x73.5 cm

There is no obvious precedent for the joyful design at the centre of this Tibetan book cover. Each figure seems at first glance to kneel. However, simultaneously their torsos are adjoined with each others' legs and they are transformed into flying beings, horizontally displayed. This imagery suggests the fundamental Buddhist notion of both continuity and perpetual movement. It could be said that the composition combines opposites to produce harmony. The kneeling figures' posture is associated with Acala ('The Immovable'), yet the two figures are simultaneously static and flying. The 'fear-not' gesture (abhaya mudra) of their right hands suggests safeguard and protection while the karana and the tarjani gestures of their left hands are mesmeric and threatening. Their heads are shaved like a monk's, their bodies naked but for loincloths, and they are placed within a classic foliate scroll with hanging flower buds against a red and gold background.

text and images © Rossi & Rossi

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