Ratnasambhava Buddha

CHINA, Tibet

In the center of this Newar-style thangka from central Tibet, Ratnasambhava Buddha sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne with colorful petals. The Buddha wears intricate jewelry and a tall crown. Geometric patterns cover the tight lower garment. The red-palmed right hand is held out, forming the varada (wish-granting) mudra. The left hand is placed in front of the abdomen facing upwards. Ratnasambhava is surrounded by an ornate arch decorated with scrolling patterns and images of auspicious creatures arranged in columns. The red Manjusri Bodhisattva and the white Sarvanivarana Viskambhin Bodhisattva stand beside the throne, wearing crowns and holding lotuses. Red rectangles in the upper corners contain the seated figures of the Seven Buddhas of the Past and Maitreya Buddha, all wearing monastic robes and forming different mudras. Seated on each side beneath these rectangles are groups of Bodhisattvas: Samantabhadra and Ksitigarbha are above Avalokitesvara on the left, and Vajrapani and Maitreya are above Akasagarbha on the right. In the lower register, there is a row of seven figures with red mandorlas. From left to right, Green Tara, Hayagriva, Amoghapasa, Avalokitesvara, Bhrkuti, Ekajati, and Marici are depicted.