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Mandala of the Medicine Buddha
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Mandala of the Medicine Buddha
CHINA; Qing dynasty (1644–1911); Gilt copper alloy; H: 16 cm; State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
This mandala originally consisted of 52 pieces, but only 49 pieces have been recovered. Inscriptions on eleven of the pieces state where they stand in relation to the central Medicine Buddha.
There are three concentric circles around the Medicine Buddha. The figurines in the first circle, together with the central figure, constitute the Eight Medicine Buddhas. Each wears a robe and sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne, performing a different mudra. The second circle consists of sixteen Bodhisattvas. The third circle would normally contain Twelve Heavenly Beings and the Twelve Yaksa Generals, but three are missing. The Twelve Yaksa Generals are disciples of the Medicine Buddha and protect his practitioners. The four Heavenly Kings are stationed at the four gates of the mandala. |
