Page 98 - Himalayan Art Macrh 19 2018 Bonhams

3037
A PAUBHA OF THE LAKSHACHAITYA WITH VAIROCANA BUDDHA
NEPAL, DATED 1525 CE
Dated by inscription to Samvat 645.
Himalayan Art Resources item no.30550
Image: 30 3/4 x 25 in. (78 x 63.5 cm)

$200,000 - 300,000
尼泊爾 1525年 毘盧遮那十萬佛塔博巴

Important, colorful, and refined, this large composition depicts a popular subject in
Nepalese painting – the lakshachaitya, or “hundred thousand stupas”. Paintings of this
subject are commissioned to commemorate the religious ritual of lakshachaitya, during
which the donor symbolically dedicates a hundred thousand stupas in order to gain merit
and longevity for himself and his family. The inscription on the bottom register describes
the occasion for which it was created, identifying the priest and donor:

“[Let it be] auspicious! In Nepal Era 645, in the month of Bhadra, in the fortnight of
waxing moon, in the first lunar day [corresponding to 29 August 1525 CE], in the Purva
Phalguni constellation, in the Siddhi Yoga, in Saturday when the sun was in zodiacal sign
Leo, the moon in the zodiacal sign Taurus. [On this day], the monk Shri Bhimaji and the
donor (vrati), completed the sacrifice (jajamana) for making a hundred thousand chaitya
[out of clay] and consecrated the image (pratima) of Thrice Blessed Honorable goddess
Chaitya [in the form of scroll painting] to achieve desired success, long life, health and
prosperity in this world. May the entire family and others enjoy the perpetual growth of
wealth and offspring. [Let it be] auspicious!”

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