Browse by Object Type
| Object Type: Paintings 23 of 980 |  Previous | Next  |
| Future Buddha Maitreya, c. 1800 Tibet, 1775-1825 Opaque watercolor on cotton 28 x 18-3/4 in. (71.1 x 47.6 cm) Norton Simon Museum, Gift of Pratap and Chitra Pal P.1999.09.1 © 2012 Norton Simon Museum Not on view According to Buddhist texts, Maitreya will descend to earth when the dharma (Buddha’s teaching) is forgotten. As is typical of Maitreya imagery, he is depicted in this thangka (rolled painting) as seated on his throne in the Tushita heaven, where he will remain until his final rebirth on earth. The miniature stupa in his cranial protuberance holds the relics of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, the Buddha of our age. The khata (ceremonial scarf) tied around his waist is characteristic of Maitreya imagery from Tibet and Mongolia. |
| Object Type: Paintings 23 of 980 | Previous | Next |