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Page from a Buddhist manuscript

1700-1800

Asian Art Museum

Asian Art Museum
San Francisco, United States

With its golden letters emerging from the dark emptiness of the indigo-dyed background, this manuscript shows how tangible
forms always emerge from emptiness—a quintessential Buddhist perspective. Yet the exact text we are dealing with here
remains uncertain, for we have only a small selection of the leaves that once comprised the manuscript. What is certain is that this is an esoteric Buddhist text—it focuses on the circular diagrams called mandalas and the hand gestures called "seals" (mudra). Ongoing research should eventually clarify its identity.

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  • Title: Page from a Buddhist manuscript
  • Date Created: 1700-1800
  • Location Created: Tibet
  • Physical Dimensions: H. 4 3/4 in x W. 15 3/4 in, H. 12.1 cm x W. 40 0 cm
  • Rights: Public Domain
  • Medium: Ink and gold on paper
  • Credit Line: Asian Art Museum, Gift of Timothy S. Cashman, F1998.17.2.6
Asian Art Museum

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