This Tsa Tsa shows the deity Acala [Tib.: Miyowa མི་གཡ་], who has a dual function: On the one hand, he removes the obstacles that a meditator faces on the spiritual path to enlightenment. This is indicated by his sword, noose [not visible here] and Garuda crown. On the other hand, he also does good by freeing people from greed and avarice.
He is a wrathful deity and Dharmapala. Originally a minor deity described as a messenger or attendant of the Buddha Vairocana, Acala later became an object of worship in his own right as a remover of obstacles and destroyer of evil. He was eventually seen as the wrathful manifestation of either Vairocana, the Buddha Akṣobhya, or the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī. Achala belongs to a group of fearsome deities [krodha vighnantaka] who enable the meditator to overcome obstacles. He is mentioned in tantric texts as the protector of the rites associated with Manjushri.
This Tsa Tsa is unusual in two respects. Firstly, depictions of Acala on votive tablets are extremely rare. This is consistent with the fact that often appears as a subsidiary figure in Tibetan paintings; only rarely in surviving works is he represented as the central figure. On the other hand, the depiction of Acala with a three-sided rectangle and a half-arch above it is extremely rare.
Barely recognisable are smaller »helpful deities« to the right and left of Acala within the rectangular frame. These deities assist him in his iconographically defined task. The two last but one detail shots show on the one hand the same and on the other hand a different Acala Tsa Tsa on which the »helpful deities« can be better recognised.
Acala is seated on a one-tiered throne with seven lotus petals, holding a sword in his right hand.
Condition: As is almost always the case with Tsa Tsas at least 800 years old, the outer rim is not quite complete. However, with the exception of Acala's nose, his actual image inside is largely intact.
The term »Krodharāja« refers to a group of wrathful or tutelary deities, often called »Wrathful Kings«. These deities are often depicted in Buddhist iconography with fearsome expressions and weapons. They symbolise the overcoming of obstacles and negative forces on the path to enlightenment. »Krodharājas« are often worshipped in tantric practices to remove spiritual obstacles and offer protection.
* Source: Art of Tsha Tsha from Guge, Tibet
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurements: | 3.4 x 1" | 8.7x 7.4 x 2.5 cm |
| Price: | 376 $ | 365 € |
| Shipment: | Parcel Service from Germany |
| Material: | Burned Clay |
| Age: | 12th - 13th cent, |
| Origin: | Guge - West Tibet |
| Preservation: | History |
| High resolution: | Display [1.4 MB, 2856 x 3246 px.] |
| Inquiry / Order | |
