Buddha images from Tibet

Thangkas, literally, “rolled up cloth”

These Buddhist paingings portray Rathnasambhava, one of the five Transcendent (supreme) Buddhas, seated on a stylized lotus throne. His right hand makes a gesture of bestowing gifts; his left, the gesture of meditation.  Rathnasambhava means ‘The source of precious things,’ or ‘he who is born of the jewel’ He represents the element fire.  In Tibetan representations Rathnasambhava is portrayed as a crowned and bejeweled figure.  Arranged around him are bodhisattvas (enlightened beings who have deferred their ultimate goal of nirvana-freedom from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth- in order to help others attain that goal.)  The Buddha, being the most important of the holy personages depicted, dominates the painting as the largest figure.  He faces straight front, in a pose of tranquility, while the others around him sit or stand in relaxed poses.