Item: Medicine Buddha - Retinue Figure

Agni (Tibetan: me lha. English: God of Fire): retinue deity of the eastern side of the Medicine Buddha Mandala of Fifty-one Deities. This painting belongs to a larger set depicting all fifty-one deities. Several works from this set are known in Western art collections. (See Vatadhara, Holder of the Wind).

Agni is generally depicted as an elderly man with long white hair piled on the top of the head with some falling loose across the shoulders and back. He also has a white moustache and beard. In the right hand he holds a triangular fire hearth with wisps of red flames above. The left hand holds a bead mala. He is adorned with a crown and jewel ornaments along with various heavenly garments, riding atop a goat.

"...outer circle, in the east...Agni, red, holding a fire pot, riding on a goat." Collection of All Tantras, vol. 1, page 116.

The textile at the to depicts the Eight Auspicious Symbols. The textile below depicts the Seven Jewels of Royalty.

Tenzin Dharlo, 5-2006

Thematic Sets
Indian Deity: Agni
Subject: Guardians of the Ten Directions
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha Set (Yongle)
Subject: Guardians of the Ten Directions
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art (RMA): Main Page
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha Main Page
Subject: Tetrahedron (dharmakara/dharmadayo) Main Page
Painting Style: Gyantse Scroll Paintings
Subject: Strings of Miniature Paintings (Banners)
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha (retinue figures)
Textile Set: Embroidered Mounts
Collection of RMA: Best of Collection 2
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha (Retinue Figure Masterworks)