Monk

CHINA, Tibet

This painting from central Tibet or eastern India shows a monk who is believed to be a lama of the Kadam school. The head is turned to one side, revealing a strong jaw and large ear. The monk wears Tibetan monastic clothing including a sleeveless vest, a dark red robe, and a mantle decorated with circular floral patterns. Seated in full lotus position on a raised dais, the monk forms the Dharmacakra (Dharma wheel) mudra and holds prayer beads. A cloth with a checkered pattern is draped over the middle of the dais and flanked by images of auspicious creatures. Two Bodhisattvas with joined palms sit in the upper corners.
The Kadam school was founded by Atisa, an Indian monk who traveled to Tibet to teach the Dharma. He had an extensive knowledge of Indian Pala period (circa 8th–12th century) art, and introduced new guidelines for the depiction of Buddhist figures in murals and thangkas. This style flourished during the 11th and 12th centuries, and can be seen in the layout and coloring of this cloth-painted picture.