Songofsnow Books, Art & Photo

Original Avalokistesvara (Chenrezig) Tsakli card.

Watercolor on sized cloth. 68x98mm. Tibet, late 19th century or early 20th century. This painting represents the Bodhisattva of Compassion, called Avalokistesvara or Chenrezig in Tibet.

The left hand holds the stem of a lotus, the right a Mala or rosary. His two central hands hold a wish fufilling gem. His legs are in the crossed Vajra posture.

Along with Tara, Avalokistesvara is the most popular deity of Tibet, and the well known mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. He wears the crown of the five Buddha families with a topknot (Ushnisha), and is seated on a lotus and moon disk.

The back of the card is inscribed with the syllables Om Ah Hum. The syllables indicate that the card was consecrated for use. This card and the other Avalokistesvara listed here were probably part of the same initiation set, and are painted in complimentary colors.

Tsakli Cards. Tsaklis are miniature painted cards used for different purposes in Tibetan Buddhism.

Primarily they are used for empowerment, also for portable shrines called Gaus, and for the making of Mandalas or consecration for the deceased.

For a Tantric empowerment, an extensive set may consist of 100 or more cards. Besides the deities of the Mandalas, the cards would depict offering substances, Tantric implements, texts. Often they would be attached to a purifying water vase, offering cake (gTorma) or incense burner.