Virupa

early 1400s
Location: 237 Himalayan

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Virupa's clothing and jewelry are embellished with silver and stones, while pigments enhance his hair and eyes.

Description

Virupa is one of the great teachers in the history of tantric Buddhism. His posture references his ability to stop the sun; as an enlightened being, he can control phenomena of nature. As a tantric practitioner, he overturns ordinary assumptions about proper behavior, so he overeats, drinks large quantities of liquor, and waits for the king to pay his bill at the tavern.

At the edge of the lotus pedestal is an inscription identifying the image as having been made in the imperial kilns of the third emperor of the Ming dynasty in China as a gift to a Tibetan monastic leader. While closely linked to Tibetan styles, the luxurious detailing, special gilding process, and the casting of the ornaments onto the body without use of inlay are specifically Chinese characteristics.
Virupa

Virupa

early 1400s

China, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Yongle reign (1403-1424)

Videos

A Tantric Yogi

Who Is Virupa?

Cultural Context

The Role of the Guru

Tantra

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