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Title

Heruka and a partner

18th century-19th century

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Other Title
    Heruka and partner
    Place where the work was made
    Tibet
    Date
    18th century-19th century
    Media category
    Painting
    Materials used
    pigment on cloth
    Dimensions
    133.0 x 90.4 cm
    Credit
    Gift of Dr John Yu and Dr George Soutter 2006
    Location
    South Building, lower level 1, Asian Lantern galleries
    Accession number
    261.2006
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    This Tibetan 'thangka' shows Heruka embracing his partner. The terrifying aspects of the painting indicate the force necessary to defeat the powers of evil and ignorance. Deities have many heads, arms, and eyes because of their universal, all-encompassing nature and the extensiveness of their abilities. In Tantric Buddhism, the combination of male and female divinities shows that truth cannot be divided. The combination of wisdom (associated with the female) and compassion (associated with the male) is essential to reach Buddhist enlightenment. Some images, like 'Heruka and a partner', show sexual union, which symbolises the amalgamation of these two forms of knowledge, as well as the non-duality of truth.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, December 2011

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    Tibet

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 2 exhibitions