Akshobhya Buddha

Object Details

• Label

  Akshobhya (Unshakable) Buddha is the celestial Buddha of the idyllic eastern paradise Abhirati. His right hand extends down in the “earth-witness gesture” and also delicately holds a lotus stalk on which rests his emblem, a vajra (diamond thunderbolt scepter).

  The bronze is consistent in style and quality with others made at Densatil monastery, which was founded in 1198 and destroyed in 1966. The sculptural style and iconographic programs of Densatil monastery had a deep impact on Tibetan sculpture for some two and a half centuries. The Akshobhya represents the Densatil idiom of the 14th-15th century: the slim, lithe body follows Nepalese tradition and the jewelry, base, and decorative details are both finely worked and creatively realized. Of particular note are the scarf that forms a halo behind the Buddha’s head, the ruby-tipped earrings that flare out above his shoulders, the delicately realized double-lotus seat and the unusually detailed base, which features a vase of plenty (from which vines scroll outwards) in the central cartouche and elaborately adorned elephants to either side.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room (March 12, 2022 - ongoing)

  Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia (October 14, 2017 to February 6, 2022)

  Doorway to an Enlightened World: The Tibetan Shrine from the Alice S. Kandell Collection (March 19 to November 27, 2016)

  Golden Visions of Densatil: A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery (February 9 to May 18, 2014)

  The Tibetan Shrine from the Alice S. Kandell Collection (March 13, 2010 to November 27, 2016)

• Origin

  Densatil, Central Tibet

• Credit Line

  The Alice S. Kandell Collection

• Type

  Sculpture

• On View

  Sackler Gallery 26a: The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1400s, 1300s

• Name

  buddha

• Place

  Densatil, Tibet

• Topic

  Gilding, Bronze, South Asian and Himalayan Art, Art, Inlay (process), Sculpture, Alice S. Kandell Collection, Akshobhya Buddha, Metal-work

• Culture

  Buddhists, Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Sculpture

• On View

  Yes