NAVIGATION

The Tibetan people have always venerated their Buddhist teachers in remembrance of whom portrait sculptures of great power have been created. Many of these were small and easily transported and would have served as reminders of the inspired teachings of the Lohan or hierarch. As well as evoking the saintly attributes of their subjects the images sometimes capture the individual characters of these historical figures with unique facial features and distinctive physical peculiarities.
The Tibetan teacher’s ability to elucidate existential realities and to communicate the serenity that comes with the experience of Buddhahood is at the very core of Tibetan Buddhist culture. They were regarded as all important in introducing the meaning of Dharma to disciples and showing them the Path to Enlightenment from their own experience. These sculptures incorporate both the characteristics of these teachers; that of enlightened being, and of idiosyncratic personality. It is this mix of nobility of spirit and charismatic power that still continues to inspire generation after generation of Tibetans, even today, to seek an authentic spiritual master.