Inspired by @bryandaniellowe.bsky.social's manuscript that was never meant to be read, here's another: a long consecration inscription on the back of a Tibetan portable scroll painting (thangka) of Milarepa, in the shape of a stūpa. #ManuscriptMonday 1/ - ThreadSky

andrewquintman.bsky.social • 13 days ago

Inspired by @bryandaniellowe.bsky.social's manuscript that was never meant to be read, here's another: a long consecration inscription on the back of a Tibetan portable scroll painting (thangka) of Milarepa, in the shape of a stūpa.

#ManuscriptMonday
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xjamarkleyx.bsky.social•5 days ago

📌

andrewquintman.bsky.social•13 days ago

The front side is a portrait of the Tibetan yogin Milarepa, his guru Marpa above, flanked on either side by close disciples, the Sisters of Long Life (Tseringma) below.

"Milarepa on Mount Kailas," c. 15th c. Art Institute of Chicago.
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andrewquintman.bsky.social•13 days ago

The long inscription is actually an extended verse biography of Milarepa, that covers the early part of his life and his death (as recorded in The Life of Milarepa) together with a summary of his teaching career (narrated in The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa).

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andrewquintman.bsky.social•13 days ago

This long biographical inscription and several mantra seed syllables are used for the ritual consecration of the painting. The inscription serves to enliven the painting & transform it from mere representation into a living embodiment of the subject.

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andrewquintman.bsky.social•13 days ago

This raises the question of why the long narrative inscription was written in such a way that it would never be read. I have suggested the inscription serves a ritual not a narrative function, as a literary relic (dharmaśarīra), likened to the corporeal relics used to enliven statues & stupas.

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andrewquintman.bsky.social•13 days ago

And when you superimpose the front and rear of the painting, Milarepa's body "sits" inside the stupa outlined by the inscription, mirroring the role of relics.

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andrewquintman.bsky.social•13 days ago

I wrote about this a while back if you want the details or to read a translation of the inscription:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175183413X13823695747480

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peterromaskiewicz.bsky.social•13 days ago

Love this, this is so cool!

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