Mahakala Maning Nagpo – "The Non-binary Great Black One" in his celestial abode
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Orientation 1
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ABP 069

 Code: ABP 069

  Country: Tibet

  Style:

  Date: 1500 - 1600

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 64.5 x 111

  Materials: Pigment on cotton

Celestial residence of the protector Maning Nagpo, a specific form of Mahakala 

Maning Nagpo should be understood here as representing "primordial, non-dual wisdom". He is very popular with Nyingma practitioners.

He stands at the center of his palace in union with his consort upon a lotus throne and a sun disc, amidst a mass of blazing wisdom fire. He is surrounded by nine companions and stands on a skull fortress built of human heads in three stages: fresh, rotting and dried. On the middle floor stands a wrathful deity, and above, the primordial Buddha Samantabhadra is pictured.

Fearsome ornaments surround the building, like animal skins and other offerings, while wild animals devour bodies. Two tantric practitioners and their companions are depicted. An altar full of ritual artefacts, musical instruments and wrathful offerings stands before the composition.