 |
Khara Khoto: Usnisavijaya Mandala
|
| |
 |
Khara Khoto: Usnisavijaya Mandala
|
| |
 |
Khara Khoto: Usnisavijaya Mandala
|
| |
 |
Khara Khoto: Usnisavijaya Mandala
|
| |
 |
Khara Khoto: Usnisavijaya Mandala
|
| |
|
Khara Khoto: Usnisavijaya Mandala
CHINA, Inner Mongolia, Alxa; Western Xia period (1032–1227); Ink and color on wood; 111 x 131 cm; State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
Discovered in Khara Khoto, this mandala is kept with another similar artwork in the State Hermitage Museum in Russia. The central figure is the white Usnisavijaya, sitting in lotus position in a red niche within a white stupa. Usnisavijaya is associated with the Usnisavijaya Dharani Sutra. According to the sutra, a heavenly being named Susthita suddenly heard a voice telling him that he had only seven days left to live. After death, the voice went on, he would be reborn as an animal for seven successive lives, before falling into hell to undergo more sufferings. Upon hearing this, Susthita was terrified, so he sought help from Sakra, who in turn related this incident to the Buddha. The Buddha replied by saying, there is a dharani known as the Usnisavijaya. It can purify all evil paths |
