Tibetan Buddhism Mugs

A mandala with the mantra of the Green Tara in Tibetan script.

Mahakala is one of the most popular guardians in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. This tangka, one of the earliest and grandest of this subject was created in the 15th century. Here he tramples a corpse while wielding a flaying knife and a blood-filled skull cup, signifying the destruction of impediments to enlightenment. In the crooks of his elbows, he supports a gandi gong, a symbol of his vow to protect the community of monks (sangha). His principal companions, Palden Remati and Palden Lhamo, appear to his left, and Legden Nagpo and Bhutadamara are at his right. At lower left is Brahmarupa blowing a thighbone trumpet. He is especially revered by the Sakya order, which commissioned this work.

Spiritual leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Illustrated by Graeme MacKay.

The Tibetan flag, also known as the "snow lion flag" (gangs seng dar cha), was the flag of the de facto independent polity of Tibet from 1916 to 1951. It was adopted by the 13th Dalai Lama in 1916. Banned by the Chinese government since 1959, the flag has not been in official use by any region in the world since 1951; however it is used by the Tibetan Government in Exile, based in Dharamshala, India. The Government of the People's Republic of China considers it to be a symbol of separatism; however, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan government in exile, said in recent years that he hoped that Tibet would achieve true autonomy and would not ask for independence. He believes that the symbolism of the flag is similar ...

Originated in India, the endless knot is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, symbolizing the endless wisdom and compassion of the Buddha.

In this rare 14th-century Tibetan painting of Chenresi, a cosmic form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, he is represented with ten heads and one thousand arms, which fan out to form a golden aureole. Each of the Buddhist savior’s hands has an eye in its palm, an embodiment of his power to radiate wisdom in every quarter of the universe. He stands elevated on a lotus pedestal and is surrounded by cave-like niches, each occupied by either a lineage lama or a protective deity. At the lower left is an offering table with attendant monks. Two inscriptions appear on the reverse: one in Sanskrit (the ye dharma charm-verse, or dharaṇi) and one in Tibetan that praises patience, “the holiest ascetic practice.”

Om Mani Padme Hum Tibetan Buddhist Mantra of Compassion with prayer wheels the quintessential expression of Tibetan spirituality.

Hevajra appears on this 15th-century tangka in his three-headed and four-armed form. This manifestation is drawn from the Hevajra Tantra, a text revered by the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, who likely commissioned this painting from a Newari artist from Nepal. Hevajra and his consort Nairatmya dance at the intersection of four vajra gateways, indicating their position at the center of the cosmos. His name is composed of two syllables: “he,” compassion, representing the male aspect, and “vajra,” wisdom, the female aspect, which together offer the path beyond this illusory world. The repeating skull symbolism references the impermanence of all phenomena.

Mahayana Buddhism, and all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, rely on Mahakala as guardian deity. He is depicted in a number of variations, each with distinctly different qualities and aspects. Mahakala is almost always depicted with a crown of five skulls, which represent the transmutation of the five kleśās (negative afflictions) into the five wisdoms. (From Wiki)

The oṃ maṇi-padme hūṃ (om mani peme hung) mantra of Bodhisattva.

Make peace with your T-shirt !

Vajrasattva is the sixth vajra holder and a dharma prince of the five Buddhas. He is a prominent deity of the Esoteric Buddhism and literally the intangible creator of Tantrayana Buddhism. Vajrasattva has the power to withdraw calamity. His famous Hundred-syllable mantra is regarded as an essential mantra for purification as well as to offset any imperfection of a yoga session.

In Buddhism, the vajra is a symbol of the indestructible, immutable nature of reality and of the enlightened mind. It represents the power of compassion and wisdom, and is often associated with the god-king of the tantra, Vajradhara. The vajra is also used as a ritual implement, held in the hand during ceremonies and practices, to symbolize the indestructible nature of one's own consciousness. In tantra, it can also refer to the male and female aspects of the human body and the union of these aspects as a means to reach enlightenment. Follow @roysdisturbia on Instagram for more