cir. 18th century
origin: Tibet

This image of a wrathful protector of Buddhism would have been an awesome presence in the dimly lit interior of a Tibetan monastery. Yamantaka is a violent aspect of the Bodhisattva Manjushri, who assumes this form to vanquish Yama, the god of death. By defeating Yama, the cycle of rebirths (samsara) that prevents enlightenment is broken. Yamantaka, who shares many attributes with Mahakala, is identified by his blue skin and the array of attributes displayed here. He is encircled by five smaller manifestations, each a Yama-conqueror riding a buffalo. An inscription on the reverse indicates the work was commissioned in honor of the donor’s lama. Flanking the uppermost Yama-conqueror are two pairs of lamas, tentatively identified as the Panchen Lama (left) and Atisha accompanied by attending lamas.