Unknown Artist
- Title
- The Medicine Buddha (Bhaishãjuaguru)
- Other titles:
- Bhaishajyaguru, the Medicine Buddha
The Medicine Buddha (Bhaishajyaguru) - Place of origin
-
Tibet
- Cultural origin
- Menri style
- Year
- 19th century
- Media category
- Painting
- Materials used
- distemper and gold on sized cotton
- Dimensions
-
66.0 x 43.0cm image; 125.0 x 69.0cm mount
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- D G Wilson Bequest Fund 1999
- Accession number
- 67.1999
- Location
- Upper Asian gallery
- Further information
This 'thangka' is distinctive for its use of rich and intense colour, predominantly blue, gold and green. The central deity holds a begging bowl containing a sprig of the medicinal myrobalan plant. Seated on a lotus pedestal supported on a lion throne, the Medicine Buddha wears the patched robes of a monk and is accompanied by his disciples and the 18 'arhats' or 'saints' of Tibetan Buddhism. Directly above the Buddha's head is Tsong Khapa, an important reformer of Buddhism in Tibet and the founder of the Gelukpa or 'Yellow Hat' order of monks. A 'thangka' such as this may have been commissioned to commemorate a significant occasion or life ceremony, to accrue merit for the donor or as homage to the abbot. The dedication of an image of the Medicine Buddha may suggest that it was commissioned at a time of illness, or perhaps as a wish for good health.
Interestingly, this 'thangka' bears an inscription which indicates that it was painted at the Tsedong monastery in Tsang, Central Tibet, for Ride Gdong Sprul Sku, who was the reincarnated abbot ('lama') of that monastery. Although it is not known who commissioned it and what their relationship was to the abbot, it is not unusual to find 'thangkas' with dedications or inscriptions recording the names of donors and the circumstances surrounding the commission. This inscription reminds us of the 'thangka's' donative function, as works created as a tribute designed to bring merit to oneself and others.
The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.64.
- Bibliography (8)
-
'Buddha: Radiant awakening' by Adam Geczy, pg. 29-31., Art Asia Pacific [Issue 35] Jul 2002-Sep 2002, Jul 2002-Sep 2002, 29, 30 (colour illus.), 31.
'Buddha rules' by Jill Sykes, pg. 13., Look Sep 2001, Sep 2001, 13 (colour illus.).
'A landmark for the city' by Judith White, pg. 16-19., Look Apr 2001, Apr 2001, 18 (colour illus.). The image appearing in this publication is a detail of the work.
The arts of Buddhism 2001, 2001, front cover (colour illus.). The image that appears in this publication is a detail of this work.
Jackie Menzies (Australia) (Editor), Buddha: Radiant awakening, Sydney, 2001, 126, 127 (colour illus.),187. cat.no. 92
'Thanks to a generous benefactor', by Michael Wardell, pg. 14-15., Look Nov 2003, Nov 2003, 14 (colour illus.), 15.
'New Dimensions', by Jackie Menzies, pg. 54-63., Arts of Asia Nov 2003-Dec 2003, Nov 2003-Dec 2003, 63 (colour illus.). no.21
The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 2003, 64-65 (colour illus.). The colour illus. on page 65 is a detail of this work.
- Exhibition history (2)
-
6th Semi Annual New York Arts of Pacific Asia Show, The 26th Street Armory at Lexington Avenue, 24 Mar 1999–28 Mar 1999.
Buddha: Radiant awakening, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 10 Nov 2001–24 Feb 2002.
