Himalayan Art Resources

Publication: Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Tricycle Magazine Blog Posts (Subject List)

Blog Posts: Chronological List | Subject List

"Buddhist practice and Buddhist art have been inseparable in the Himalayas ever since Buddhism arrived to the region in the eighth century. But for the casual observer it can be difficult to make sense of the complex iconography. Not to worry? Himalayan art scholar Jeff Watt is here to help. In this "Himalayan Buddhist Art 101" series, Jeff is making sense of this rich artistic tradition by presenting a weekly image from the Himalayan Art Resources archives and explaining its role in the Buddhist tradition." (Tricycle Blog, Tricycle Magazine. April 5th, 2012).


Types of Art:

Black Ground Paintings, 07 Feb 2013

Charts, 27 Sep 2012

Life Story Paintings & Literary Genre, 23 Aug 2012

Mandalas, 26 Apr 2012

Mandalas Part II, 03 May 2012

Cityscapes, 04 Oct 2012

Portraits, 13 Dec 2012

Prayer Flags, Part 1, 11 April 2013

Prayer Flags, Part 2, 18 April 2013

Refuge Field Paintings, 25 Jul 2012

Repeated Secondary Figures, 13 Sep 2012

Wheel of Life, 06 Sep 2012


Art Topics & General Subjects:

Color, Activity & Iconography, 20 Sep 2012

Fakes, Part 1 - An Introduction, 6 June 2013

The Four Ground Colors, 18 Jul 2012

Iconometry, Proportions & Guidlines, 25 April 2013

New Discoveries, 07 March 2013

Noting Differences in Peaceful Appearance, 08 Nov 2012

Reading a Painting, Part One, 02 Aug 2012

Sacred Geometry, Part 1, 02, May 2013

Sacred Geometry, Part 2, 09, May 2013

Three Stories in One, 20 Dec 2012

Traditional History vs. Art History, 28, March 2013

Why Paintings Are Made, Part I, 21 Feb 2013

Why Paintings Are Made, Part 2, 28 Feb 2013

Why Paintings Are Made, Part 3, 14, March 2013

Why Paintings Are Made, Part 4, 21, March 2013


The Buddha & Life Stories:

The Buddha, 12 Apr 2012

Stories of the Buddha, Part 1, 03 Jan 2013

Stories of the Buddha Part 2, Life Story Quick Guide, 10 Jan 2013

Stories of the Buddha Part 3, Jataka Tales Quick Guide, 17 Jan 2013

Stories of the Buddha Part 4, Avadana Stories Quick Guide, 24 Jan 2013

The Thirty-five Confession Buddhas, 06 Dec 2012

Amitabha Buddha, 02 Nov 2012

Iconography & Deities:

Avalokiteshvara, 18 Oct 2012

Bodhisattvas, 19 Apr 2012

Dorje Shugden, Controversial Art, Part 1, 23 May 2013

Gods and Deities in Tantric Buddhism, 09 May 2012

Who Created the Hindu Gods? 14 Feb 2013

Meditational Deities, 17 May 2012

Protector Deities - Mahakala & Shri Devi, 07 Jun 2012

Protector Deities of Tibetan Origin, 14 Jun 2012

Meditational Deities, 21 Jun 2012

Meditational Deities of Tibet, 28 Jun 2012

Wealth Deities, 05 Jul 2012

Power Deities, 12 Jul 2012

Mahasiddha Appearance, 31 Jan 2013

Padmasambhava & the Copper-Colored Mountain, 15 Nov 2012

King Gesar of Ling, 29 Nov 2012

Who is Tara? 11 Oct 2012

Vajradaka's Purification by Fire, 4 April 2013

Wisdom Deities, 24 May 2012

Religion, Practice & Sacred Objects:

Calm Abiding, 05 Apr 2012

Hats in Religious Paintings, 30 Aug 2012

Purba, 25 Oct 2012

Svastika - Controversial Art, Part 2, 31 May 2013

Teaching Lineages Depicted in Paintings, 09 Aug 2012

The Vajra Scepter, Part 1, 16 May 2013

Yoga, 16 Aug 2012