Tabo Monastery Central Hall: Bodhisattvas

INDIA, Himachal Pradesh

Along the ambulatory around the inner shrine of the central hall, two rows of 32 Bodhisattvas are painted in the middle register. They are arranged according to their skin color, resulting in four groups of eight figures colored in blue, white, red, and green. All 32 Bodhisattvas are seated in half lotus position and either hold an object or form a mudra. They are adorned with ornaments and wear pointed crowns decorated with flowers and ribbons that hang down onto their shoulders. Their fine eyebrows arch above long, narrowed eyes, and they have small noses and mouths. Besides the earrings on the earlobes, the Bodhisattvas also have earrings on the scapha of their ears. Like many of the other figures in the Tabo Monastery murals, they have broad shoulders and slim waists. Their lotus thrones are uniquely depicted from a top-down perspective, making the Bodhisattvas appear as if they are hovering in the air. Each figure has a petal-shaped nimbus and an oval mandorla, both outlined with flame patterns. The short lower garments are richly patterned and appear to be light and thin. They are rather different from the clothing traditionally worn in the Himalayas, suggesting the influence of Indian art from Gujarat and Rajasthan.