Chakrasamvara and consort Vajravarahi

Central Tibet

Not on view

This powerful depiction of Chakrasamvara embracing his yogini consort Vajravarahi is a highly energized visualization, such as would have been experienced by an advanced tantric master. These are key deities in the Vajrayana system, uniting two of the most powerful ideas in esoteric Buddhism, wisdom, embodied in Vajravarahi, and compassion, the essence of Chakrasamvara. His name, which translates as Circle of Bliss, embodies the powerful union of these two fundamentals tenets of Buddhism. This is arguably one of the finest representations of this subject to have survived from medieval Tibet.

Chakrasamvara and consort Vajravarahi, Distemper on cotton cloth, Central Tibet

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