Khara Khoto: Medicine Buddha and Attendants

CHINA, Inner Mongolia, Alxa; Western Xia period

This thangka portrays the Medicine Buddha seated in the full lotus position on a lotus throne with colorful petals. The right hand forms the varada (wish-granting) mudra and the left hand holds a black bowl in front of the abdomen. The Buddha wears a red robe decorated with images of the eight auspicious symbols. The red Suryaprabha Bodhisattva stands on the left. A sun disc containing a black rooster rests on top of the lotus. The white Candraprabha Bodhisattva is on the right. Upon the lotus, there is a moon disc containing an image of a hare preparing the elixir of immortality next to a laurel tree. Both Bodhisattvas have high topknots, wear ornate headdresses and ornaments, and hold lotuses.
Seven small images of the Medicine Buddha, each forming a different mudra, line the top of the thangka. In the bottom corners, there are two lamas with nimbuses seated on cushions. The lama on the left is Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa, wearing a black hat. The lama on the right wears a yellow hat and is accompanied by a man dressed in Chinese clothing, who stands behind the lama with his palms joined. Seated figures holding weapons or musical instruments are painted at the bottom of the image. Along the sides, there are images of Bodhisattvas and lamas sitting in lotus position. The thangka is colorful and has a balanced, symmetrical composition. The Bodhisattvas are depicted in the style of the Pala period (circa 8–12th century).