This is a wooden book cover for a Prajñaparamita text. Here are three figures carved into wood, surrounded by a border and a background of many small figures of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Lamas with a floral sky. Left to right they are: 1. the Buddha of the past, Dipankara 2. the Goddess Prajñaparamita3. the Buddha Shakyamuni on a lion throne Wooden book covers are used typically with volumes of the Buddhas own words such as the Prajñaparamita sutras. These three figures each have two chief attendants, or disciples on either side. They are pictured here on their thrones of highest Enlightenment, surrounded by the auspicious beings are symbols associated with the attainment of perfect Buddhahood. The identification of these figures is not completely certain, as the lack or loss of detail in the carving introduces some doubt. Compare to T-121 and T-191. See also: T-155, T-156, T-157, etc.
Collection place:
Tibet
Verbatim coll. place:
Tibet
Collector:
Theos C. Bernard
Materials:
Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works)
Function:
7.0 Use not specified (Communication, Records, Currency, and Measures)