Phajoding Monastery: Vaisravana and Heavenly Beings
Ink and color on cotton
Phajoding Monastery: Vaisravana and Heavenly Beings
BHUTAN, Thimphu
Painted between the 16th and 17th centuries, this colorful thangka is kept in Phajoding Monastery. The central figure, Vaisravana, the Heavenly King of the North, is associated with worldly success and wealth. Dressed in decorative armor, Vaisravana sits astride a snow lion. He has wide eyes and a stern expression, and wears a tall trefoil crown. His green nimbus is surrounded by flames. In his right hand he carries a victory banner, and his left hand grasps the neck of the jewel-spitting mongoose, a symbol of wealth. Vaisravana is surrounded by the Eight Masters of the Horse and their attendants. The king and queen of Khotan, both with green nimbuses, can be seen to the left of Vaisravana’s head.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting P-Z, page 741.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Youlu and Wilson, Graham and Manho and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting P-Z},
pages = 741,
title = {{Phajoding Monastery: Vaisravana and Heavenly Beings}},
volume = 16,
year = {2016}}