exhibition "The Dragon's Gift: Sacred Arts of Bhutan"
Nimba in his palace of clouds and its Mysteries, Bhutan has for years a powerful fascination over the West. Only officially Buddhist country in the world, he advocated a development model based on a gradual opening to the rest of the world, illustrated by the famous indicator of GNH, Gross National Happiness, which aims to measure the satisfaction level of the population rather than the level of national wealth. Unified the seventeenth century by a Tibetan monk, Ngawang Namgyal Shabrung (1594-1651), Bhutan is the Tibetan name "Drukgyul" or countries of the Dragon, because of its connection with the lineage Drukpa Kagyu, one of four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
exposure now allows us to know more about his art intimately linked to Vajrayana Buddhism practiced by the vast majority of the population. The works exhibited at the Musée Guimet, represent an astonishing testimony to the spiritual and artistic riches of this tiny country hidden in the heart of the Himalayas.
The exhibition begins with a series of photographs by Matthieu Ricard, Buddhist monk, author and translator of the Dalai Lama, who has spent many years in Bhutan. One can see, for example, a beautiful picture his master root Dilgo Khyensé Rinpoche (1910-1991) in ceremonial robes, holding vajra and bell, on a balcony Taktsang. Mathieu Ricard has also captured the movement of black hat dancers twirling to the beat of drums on the forecourt of the monastery Trong.
Among the most fascinating works on display, there is a beautiful thangka depicting the five Buddha families, five or Jina, in the middle of spherical shapes. The five Buddhas (Dainichi-Aksobhya Vajrasattva, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi) actually represent each quality of Awakening: the wisdom of absolute space, Similar to the mirror, Equality, Discernment and completed successfully. Related to a cycle terma (treasure revealed spiritual), as shown by the inscriptions in writing dakini, this thangka, covered with symbols and mantras, is a liberation by sight (Tib, mthong-grol). Everyone who sees it is ensured, it is said, one day be released from samsara, the cycle of conditioned existence. In the first room, you can also see two paintings of high quality cycle Jataka, stories of Buddha's past lives. These stories illustrate the wisdom, compassion and methods implemented by the future Buddha Shakyamuni during his previous lives, they are traditionally narrated to children as cautionary tales.
A little later, we see thangkas, showing yidams déitées or meditation of the Kagyu school at the center of the mandala, or as Çakrasambhava Vajradakini. They are topped Vajradara Buddha and the masters of the lineage: Tilopa (with fish), Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa.
Many beautiful bronze statues and punctuate the show. Green Tara, said the Salvatrice, sometimes called the Virgin Mary Buddhists, decorated with small turquoise with his open hand in gesture of the gift. Padmasambhava, the Lotus Born, magician and Indian saint who brought Buddhism to Tibet, with his two wives mystics, and Yeshe Mandarava Tsogyal. Drukpa Kunley, nicknamed the "Divine Madman", the great mystic libertine habits, caught playing the dramyen, a kind of lute, probably busy flirting with a beautiful stranger.
In summary, this exhibition brings together a unique collection designed originally to inspire practitioners Vajarayana on their spiritual journey. To fully appreciate the content, it is preferable to know the historical and spiritual context Tibetan Buddhism. However, the incredible artistry of these works will not fail to impress all visitors.
Until January 25, 2010 at the Musée Guimet in Paris
Website: http://www.guimet.fr/
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