Illustrated Manuscript of the Pancaraksa Sutra

NEPAL; Malla dynasty

This Nepali palm leaf manuscript of the Pancaraksa Sutra was made during the Malla dynasty (circa 1200–1768). The Pancaraksa Sutra is a collection of five dharanis spoken by the Buddha. By chanting the dharanis, one can avoid the calamities brought by the earth, water, fire, wind, and space. Around the 7th or 8th century, the Pancaraksa Sutra was integrated with the Five Dhyani Buddhas by relating them to the five Pankaraksa deities: Mahapratisara, Mahasahasrapramardini, Mahamayuri, Mahasitavati, and Mahamantranusarini.
The illustrations depict, from top to bottom, the figures in pairs: Mahapratisara and Vairocana Buddha, Mahasitavati and Amoghasiddhi Buddha, and Mahamayuri and Ratnasambhava Buddha. Each figure sits on a lotus throne and has a gold ring around the outside of the mandorla. The Buddhas are painted against blue backgrounds and have red mandorlas, while the deities have white mandorlas painted on red backgrounds. Vairocana and the eight-armed Mahapratisara have white bodies and form the Dharmacakra (Dharma wheel) mudra. Amoghasiddhi and the six-armed Mahasitavati are green and form the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra with their right hands. Both the yellow Ratnasambhava and the eight-armed Mahamayuri display the varada (wish-granting) mudra.