# @rubinmuseum on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DRNCgYFDyx1
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/37023282-rubinmuseum-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/39ad105ce1.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-18T16:00:25.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art (@rubinmuseum) — https://gondola.cc/rubinmuseum

## Caption

Today is the parinirvana anniversary of the great master Atiśa Dipaṃkara Śrījñāna (982–1054) the eleventh-century Indian Buddhist scholar and master from Bengal. Affectionately known as Jowo Je to Tibetans, he came to Tibet at the invitation of the king of western Tibet, Lha Lama Yeshe Wo, and his nephew, Jangchub Wo. 

His arrival initiated the period of the second transmission of Buddhism to Tibet, a formative time for the Sakya, Kagyu, and other traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Atiśa's most celebrated text, Jangchub Lamdron, “Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment”, serves as the foundation for the lamrim tradition, which outlines the graduated stages of the path to enlightenment taught across all Tibetan Buddhist traditions. 

There are many folk stories and local oral traditions associated with Atiśa’s visit to Tibet. One of the most well-known stories is the kidnapping of Lha Lama Yeshe Wo, who was abducted by an ardently anti-Buddhist Qarlug Mongol ruler while collecting gold to invite Atiśa from India. The Mongolian demanded a ransom of all the wealth intended to be offered to Atiśa, but Yeshe Wo told Jangchub Wo to leave him to his fate, as it was far more important for Atiśa to be brought to Tibet. Jangchub Wo went ahead with his mission to invite Atiśa while Yeshe Wo died in prison. 

This sculpture depicts Atiśa wearing a hat of a scholar (pandita’s hat), his usual attribute. His robes do not appear to be that of an Indian monk—the collared vest is a standard part of Tibetan monks’ robes. Atiśa’s posture has a barely noticeable relaxed lean to the right with his head slightly raised. The expression on his face, painted in golden pigment, is thoughtful, gazing forward—apt for a teacher giving a discourse, as indicated by his hands held in a teaching gesture (dharmachakra mudra).
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Atisha (982–1054); Tibet; ca. 18th–19th century; wood, pigments, lacquer; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2013.12.6 (HAR 1119)

#Atisha #Parinirvana #GreatMasters #TibetanBuddhism #HimalayanArt #RubinMuseum

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greatmasters, rubinmuseum, parinirvana, himalayanart, atisha, tibetanbuddhism

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