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Exhibition

Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet

Through January 12, 2025
Now on view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Galleries 963–965
Free with Museum admission
Plan Your VisitAll exhibitions
OverviewExhibition Objects

A mandala is a diagram of the universe—a map of true reality that in Tibet is used to conceptualize a rapid path to enlightenment. This exhibition explores the imagery of the Himalayan Buddhist devotional art through over 100 paintings, sculptures, textiles, instruments, and an array of ritual objects, mostly dating between the 12th and 15th centuries. This dazzling visual experience provides a roadmap for understanding Himalayan Buddhist worship through early masterworks, juxtaposed with a newly commissioned contemporary installation by Tibetan artist Tenzing Rigdol.

The exhibition is made possible by the Placido Arango Fund and Lilly Endowment Inc.

Additional support is provided by the Florence and Herbert Irving Fund for Asian Art Exhibitions and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.

The catalogue is made possible by the Florence and Herbert Irving Fund for Asian Art Publications.

Events

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A group of visitors sit inside a gallery facing a Met educator who is pointing to a painting out of our view.

Met Escapes—Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet

October 22 2:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
A man who is blind or partially sighted feels the texture of an etched object.

Seeing Through Drawing—Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet

October 26 11:00 AMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Two visitors sit at a table inside of a studio classroom at The Met. They are working together on a wire sculpture.

Discoveries (Ages 5–13)—Marvelous Mandalas

October 27 11:00 AMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Two visitors sit at a table inside of a studio classroom at The Met. They are working together on a wire sculpture.

Discoveries (Ages 14–22)—Marvelous Mandalas

October 27 11:00 AMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Two visitors sit at a table inside of a studio classroom at The Met. They are working together on a wire sculpture.

Discoveries (Ages 23+)—Marvelous Mandalas

October 27 2:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Hands of artist Bil Donovan creating a fashion illustration

Open Studio—Making Mandalas

November 9 1:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
A snapshot of an expert talk. Surrounded by an exhibition, a speaker engages a small group.

Met Expert Talks—Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet

November 19 3:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Portrait of a seated person in the center. This figure is surrounded by a diverse array of smaller characters.

Art History Study Group—Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet

December 16 3:00 PMOnline
A snapshot of an expert talk. Surrounded by an exhibition, a speaker engages a small group.

Met Expert Talks—Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet

January 9, 2025 3:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Marquee: Chemchok Heruka Mandala (detail), Tibet, second half 12th century, mineral pigments on cotton, 38 × 32 in. (96.5 × 81.3 cm), Michael J. and Beata McCormick Collection. Photo: Thomas Tikos-Kadji

Plan Your Visit

Dates
Through January 12, 2025
The Met Fifth Avenue
Free with Museum admission
Plan Your VisitAll exhibitions
Traditional Buddhist organized in the middle of of a circle surrounded by eight additional circles