previous image | The Miniature Paintings of Mongolian Buddhism main article | next image

The Miniature Paintings of Mongolian Buddhism:
Tsaklis, Thangkas and Burhany Zurags

by Stevan Davies
Professor of Religious Studies, Misericordia University

Avalokitesvara (Sanscrit) / Janraiseg (Mongolian)
Mongolian
6.5 x 5.5 cm
Painted on Cloth
Mid-19th To Early 20th Century

Eleven headed, “ekadasamukha,” Avalokitesvara has heads arranged in the order three, three, three, one and one with the highest head that of Amitabha from whom Avalokitesvara emanates. Below Amitabha’s head is that of Mahakala, a wrathful protector deity. Although comparatively difficult to draw, the popularity of this icon is such that inexpensive forms of it are remarkably common in the data-base.


previous image | The Miniature Paintings of Mongolian Buddhism main article | next image