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Acala, The Buddhist Protector

equivalent to February / March 1322
Not on view
Acala (literally, “immovable”) is a wrathful manifestation of Manjushri. He wields a sword to dispatch ignorance and a noose to snare disbelievers. His enflamed wide eyes and a facial grimace exposing teeth express his fearsome aspect. He kneels with one knee on the ground, evoking his role as a protector of the earth. He is set in a flaming aureole, his knowledge field, and is honored with an elaborate archway (torana) topped by Garuda fighting two nagas. Numerous protective emanations surround him in a series of registers; in the lower register, a Vajracharya priest performs rituals for the benefit of the donor family seated opposite.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Acala, The Buddhist Protector
  • Period: Early Malla period, dated the month of Phalguna (likely) 443 NS
  • Date: equivalent to February / March 1322
  • Culture: Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
  • Medium: Distemper and gold on cloth
  • Dimensions: Overall: 32 x 26 1/2 in. (81.3 x 67.3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Perry J. Lewis, 1994
  • Object Number: 1994.452
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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