Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Controversial Art, Ithyphallic Deities

TRICYCLE
By Alex Caring-Lobel

Maha Deva - Worldly Protector (Buddhist) - Lha Chenpo

CHINA---Buddhist practice and Buddhist art have been inseparable in the Himalayas ever since Buddhism arrived to the region in the eighth century. But for the casual observer it can be difficult to make sense of the complex iconography. Not to worry—Himalayan art scholar Jeff Watt is here to help. In this "Himalayan Buddhist Art 101" series, Jeff is making sense of this rich artistic tradition by presenting weekly images from the Himalayan Art Resources archives and explaining their roles in the Buddhist tradition. [link]