Cakravala, the Buddhist World System, 17th century ::

Details

Other Titles: Cosmological painting
Map of the Buddhist cosmos
Place where the work was made: Tibet
Date: 17th century
Media category: Painting
Materials used: distemper on cotton
Dimensions: 110.5 cm x 85.0 cm
Credit: Purchased 2011
Location: Not on display
Accession number: 319.2011
Copyright: Reproduction requests
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About

This painting of the cakravala (world system) represents the Buddhist view of the world as expressed in Buddhist texts. The image shows Mount Meru at the centre of the universe surrounded by mountain ranges, oceans, continents, celestial bodies (e.g. sun and moon), and heavens in great detail. Many of the locations on this cosmological map are actual places. Eastern Tibet and Sichuan province in China are shown in the most thorough and accurate manner, suggesting the region from which this painting originated.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 2011

Places

Where the work was made

Tibet

Exhibition history

Shown in 2 exhibitions

One hundred flowers (2011), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 01 Sep 2011–15 Jan 2012
Under the Stars, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 21 Mar 2020–07 Feb 2021