Indian scholar (Atisha? (982-1054) with two disciples
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Orientation 2
Display 2

ABP 029

 Code: ABP 029

  Country: Tibet

  Style:

  Date: 1250 - 1350

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 10.2 x 12.8

  Materials: Gouache on wood

Indian scholar (Atisha? (982-1054) with two disciples

This painting represents a monastic master seated legs crossed in meditation on a multicolor lotus, his hands joined in his lap in contemplation. Dressed in the monastic garment and wearing the red pandita hat of the scholars, his bare feet and his right shoulder uncovered designate him as Indian. Surrounding him are two Tibetan monks recognizable to the upper garment visible under their shawl.

Without inscriptions, one may think of the famous Bengali master Atisha (982-1054) who played a major role in the Second Spread of Buddhism in Tibet in the early 11th century. However, Atisha is almost always represented with his hands in the teaching gesture (see ABP 030) and surrounded by his foremost disciple Dromtönpa (1004-1064), a lay man who never took the monastic vows, founder of the Kadam school of the Tibetan Buddhism.