(Source: Flickr / dharmamedia)
“Four iconographic subjects have the lower torso of a kila[1]: Vajrakila retinue figures, [2] the Bon deity Purba Drugse Chempa, [3] Guru Dragpur in various forms and [4] Simhamukha in various forms. (See meditational forms of Padmasambhava where Guru Dragpur and Simhamukha are both included).” http://www.himalayanart.org
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“This painting shows one moment in the traditional story of the Buddha’s life.
The Buddha has seated himself under a tree and vowed to remain in meditation until attaining the peaceful state of enlightenment. Just as he is about to reach his goal, the armies of the god Mara appear and rush foward, trying to distract him. The Buddha’s concentration and peacefulness are not broken, however, and the weapons of the demonic armies turn harmlessly into flowers.
One way to understand this story is to see the forces of Mara as confused and chaotic mental activity. While such thoughts can appear overwhelming, the story (and the painting) remind us, they have no power over a peaceful mind”. hymalaianart.org
“Realizing that this body is like froth, penetrating its mirage-like nature, and plucking out Mara’s flower-tipped arrows of sensuality, go beyond sight of the King of Death!” Dhammapada (46 - IV, Pupphavaggo).
(Source: himalayanart.org)