Page from a Buddhist Manuscript with an Illustration of Akshobhya
Asian Art
Unlike Vajrabhairava, Akshobhya is distinctly placid. He is one of the five primary Buddhas and the guardian of the Eastern Paradise. Akshobhya means “Immovable One,” and his emblem is the similarly unyielding elephant, two of which are included in the base of his throne. Akshobhya’s blue color represents the coolness of his temperament: he made a vow to reject all passionate emotions that might disturb his meditation.
The horizontal orientation of this manuscript page is typical of traditional books in southern Asia, where long, narrow palm leaves were used as a writing surface for millennia before the introduction of paper. The script is a Nepalese form of Sanskrit.
The horizontal orientation of this manuscript page is typical of traditional books in southern Asia, where long, narrow palm leaves were used as a writing surface for millennia before the introduction of paper. The script is a Nepalese form of Sanskrit.
MEDIUM
Ink and opaque watercolor and gold on paper
DATES
18th–19th century
DIMENSIONS
3 9/16 x 12 3/16 in. (9 x 31 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Asian Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
2010.65.5
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Doris Wiener
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Page from a Buddhist Manuscript with an Illustration of Akshobhya, 18th–19th century. Ink and opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 3 9/16 x 12 3/16 in. (9 x 31 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Doris Wiener, 2010.65.5 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.65.5_PS4.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 2010.65.5_PS4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2012
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