1919,0101,0.18

Description

Scope and content : Ch. xxii. 0015. Drawing on silk with Tib. inscr., forming Buddhist magic diagram or charm. Plan same as in *Ch. 00190, etc., but only inner square and parts of two outer squares remain. In centre, within many-petalled lotus, is seated fig. of Avalokiteśvara with worshipper. Avalok. ‘Indian’ in style, seated in attitude of ‘royal ease’ with R. hand hanging over raised R. knee, and L. hand on ground behind thigh holding long-stemmed lotus; head bent over R. shoulder; oval halo and vesica. Worshipper Chinese, as in silk paintings *Ch. 00102, etc., wearing wide-brimmed hat and belted coat, and carrying censer. Round lotus are six concentric rings of Tib. writing containing prayer; spandrels of inner square, Vajra-bordered, filled with flaming jewels floating on waters of Sukhāvatī, from which rise lotuses. Outer squares, so far as preserved, filled with seated Bodhisattvas interspersed with Buddhist emblems and lotuses. Among former are noteworthy: above, in inner of two rows, Bodhisattvas of Sun and Moon on their respective goose and horse Vāhanas; below, Bodhisattva with lute; on all four sides, so far as preserved, two Nāga divinities with vesicas of serpent heads. Tib. inscr. transl. by Dr. Barnett; see App. K.