Minneapolis Institute of Art

Buddhist Ritual Card (Tsakali)

Tibet

Date

1200–1300

Medium

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

These small, beautifully painted cards were used in Tibetan Buddhist initiation ceremonies or temple consecrations. They would have been arranged on a platform before a deity, along with other offerings and adornments.The front of each card has an image of a deity or lama painted in brilliant red wash and applied gold foil on the front, while the back is inscribed with a mantra related to the depicted individual. These particular paintings are from a well known set of at least thirty cards made for the third Abbot of Taglung in Tibet, Sangye Yarjon (1203-72). Yarjon is credited with having warded off Mongol invasions in Tibet by teaching the potential invaders the Buddhist doctrine. Asia

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