The All-Knowing Buddha A Secret Guide
September 13, 2013 - February 10, 2014
The exhibition focuses on an extremely rare group of 54 richly-detailed album leaves that illustrate the visualization practice of the Buddhist deity Sarvavid Vairochana, known as the All-Knowing Buddha. This beautifully illustrated step-by-step visual guide provides a unique glimpse into Tibetan Buddhist meditation and ritual, normally restricted to oral transmission by a teacher to his initiated disciple. It is one of just two albums known to exist in which the meditative process is described visually.
Visualization is central to meditation practice and ritual in Tibetan Buddhism. The album provides an opportunity to discuss these practices from the ritual implements depicted in the album leaves to the actual visualization of deities, allowing the visitor to gain a clear sense of what visualization practice entails through these beautiful miniature paintings.
