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Drak Lhalupuk Cave: Princess Bhrkuti
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Drak Lhalupuk Cave: Princess Bhrkuti
CHINA, Tibet, Lhasa; Tibetan Empire (circa 7th-9th century); Clay; H: 140 cm
This sculpture of Princess Bhrkuti is located in Drak Lhalupuk, Songtsan Gampo’s meditation cave. Bhrkuti, popularly believed to be a manifestation of Green Tara, was a Nepalese princess married to Songtsan Gampo (reigned 629–650) during the early 7th century. When she came to Tibet, she brought with her a sacred statue of Jowo Mikyo Dorje, and subsequently Jokhang Temple was constructed to house it. Along with the Chinese Princess Wencheng, she helped introduce Buddhism to Tibet.
The seated Bhrkuti forms the anjali (reverence) mudra. She has slender eyes, a high nose, and full lips. Her hair is modestly covered in the hood of her flower-patterned dress, its orange coloring contrasting with the green cross-over blouse beneath. The princess wears long ear ornaments that dangle the length of her neck. |
