Inner Asia: The Art of Nepal II: Newar Buddhist Art
The approach to lecture 24 is entirely different than the other lectures
in this course. It is not important to be able to identify specific objects
and, for the tests, we will not show details other than over views of the
two paintings, the shrine in Guhyesvari, Swayambhu Mahacaitya, and the shrine
at Kwa Bahal. What you will be asked about is the interpretation given
this material in class and how that interpretation is important for Newar
Buddhism.
Painting by Mankaji Lama of the great lake that was in the valley in
primordial times. Modern 1994. Based on a design in a private home in
the 1930's as remembered by Pandit Hemraj Shakya.
Summarized from the Swayambhu Purana, even in earliest times the great lake
was a place of pilgrimage, the home of many Nagas (serpents who control
the waters), and the place of several tirthas (places of pilgrimage at the
confluence of rivers). All of the former Buddhas came and visited there.
It was the first Buddha, Vipasin, who, when he saw the lake felt that it
needed a lotus plant and tossed in a lotus seed. The seed took root at
Guhyesvari (the modern Puran Guhyesvari on the western side of the valley,
near Balaju) which was, of course, under water at the time. Guhyesvari
is the place of the "Secret Goddess" as is the primordial mother
of all.
The lotus took root, grew, and in time gave forth a vast blossom from which
emitted five rays of light [one for each of the colors of the Jina Buddhas,
i.e., blue for Aksobhya, yellow for Ratnasambhava, red for Amitabha, green
for Amoghasiddhi and white for Vairocana] this was known as the Swayambhu
Jyotirupa ("Self originated light form [of the enlightened state of
mind])." In the painting one sees the Buddhas appearing in their respective
colors of light, and the vahanas of the Buddhas, the Elephant for Aksobhya,
the horse for Ratnasambhava, the peacock for Amitabha, the Garuda for Amoghasiddhi,
and the lion for Vairocana in the landscape of the foreground. Surrounding
the lotus are the 9 great Nagas that inhabited the lake and in front of
the lotus is Karkota Naga looking at the viewer.
At the top right is the gold colored Arapacana Manjusri from Mahacina (i.e.,
China where it is considered that his home is on Mount Wutai in north eastern
China) who came with his two wives Kesini and Upakesini to see the phenomenon.
