ABM 001
Code: ABM 001
Country: Tibet
Style:
Date: 1150 - 1250
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 17.5 x 20.5
Materials: Distemper on paper
Tsakli initiation card
Tsakli are small cards depicting deities that are used in initiation rituals or in the transmission of power. They usually show the representation of the deity on the front, and ritual formulas (mantra) on the reverse. During the visualisation of the mandala, the master shows the images to the practitioners so that they can become familiar with them. These three examples belong to practice cycles of the Nyingma school, more precisely to the tradition of "treasure texts" (terma). The inscriptions on the back of the cards allow the identification of the deities and to place them in their context. The specific graphic style testifies to the great age of these cards.
Tsakli are small cards depicting deities that are used in initiation rituals or in the transmission of power. They usually show the representation of the deity on the front, and ritual formulas (mantra) on the reverse. During the visualisation of the mandala, the master shows the images to the practitioners so that they can become familiar with them. These three examples belong to practice cycles of the Nyingma school, more precisely to the tradition of "treasure texts" (terma). The inscriptions on the back of the cards allow the identification of the deities and to place them in their context. The specific graphic style testifies to the great age of these cards.