Chanbaling Monastery: Three-Headed, Six-Armed Sitatapatra

CHINA, Tibet, Qamdo

The sculpture was created during the 17th to 18th century and represents the protective Sitapatara Aparajita. The name signifies the undefeatable goddess of the white parasol, but the form here emphasizes her connection with the Dhyani Buddha Vairocana by placing his attribute of a flaming wheel in her principal right hand. Her other hands, starting from the lower right hand, are holding a bow, a elephant goad, a missing umbrella, a noose, and a vajra. Her three faces, all wearing three-leaf crowns, are clustered about an elaborate usnisa tipped with a jewel. The main face, with its vertical third eye, is frowning, while the two others are more benign. The body is adorned with a light stole and a long flower-patterned skirt of thin material that aligns closely to the body.