Tibetan Tantric Gods
This weekend Asia Pacific show downtown at the Gramecy Armory opens its doors to the public. With my hands busy with business cards, magazines, my camera and several thick catalogues I hardly can do anything properly.
While attempting to organize all my papers my eyes are instantly captured like magnets into wild-eyed winged demonic blue creature. My body completely paralyzed I realize all that was in my hands fell on the floor. A white haired gentleman kindly helps me to pick my staff from the floor and suspecting my reaction smiles saying ” Tibet, 17 Century, do you like it?”
Yes… I say of course, it’s very impressive but who are they? It is the representation of Chakrasamvara and Vajrayogini , tantric Buddhist meditational deities my dear. My name is Arnold, he says, Arnold Lieberman and this is my gallery ,welcome.
Immensely intrigued and by the statue and with all my papers nicely organized in my bag, I take my camera and take a few shots. With his extensive (more than 30 years) experience in the field of Buddhist and Hindu art and a resident of Nepal for many years , Arthur Lieberman traveled extensively in India, Tibet, Ladahk, Thailand and China ‘Indiana Lieberman-ning ” under Carlos Castanedas’s “Journey to Ixtan ” ” Tibetan book of the dead” (watch the video!) and “Axis bold as love” a la Jimi Hendix” as travel guides and hymnals . He now lives in New York City where he remains a serious student of Hindu and Buddhist religion, art and culture, and is regarded within the field as a knowledgeable dealer, known for his integrity and profound sense of taste.
” The material of this sculpture purchased in Bangkok is TsaTsa, he says, “ It’s clay mixed with votive substances.” I stop , ” Votive?” I ask. ” Yes, let me explain…” In a natural tone as if he was talking about the Chinese Pecking -Duck recipe I learn that the clay was mixed with colored pigments (polychromes) and offering bones powder from cremated Hindu holy men. ” What do you mean? I ask would these holy men give permission before their death? Arnold tells me it’s not about copyrights, that yes, by being in a spiritual dimension, the one of enlightenment, It would make little difference or even at the contrary, they would be honored to contribute to the holiness of the deity statue.
Vajrayogini or Vajravarahi (Tibetan: Yidam or Sanskrit: Ishtadeva) comes to us in many forms and from various lineages. She embodies principally: first the fully enlightened female, wild, fiery, and energetic (shakti/kundalini) aspect of a Buddha; second the wisdom (experiential) aspect leading to Buddhahood; and third as a principal dakini (Tibetan: mKha’ gro; “sky-goer”) the (com) passionate guiding and inspirational aspect leading the practitioner to enlightenment.
Legend holds that the Buddha appeared in this form on the top of the Mount Kailash to teach the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati the Chakrasamavara Tantra, the principal of all mother Tantras of the Yoga Tantra class.
Arnold detaches my still mesmerized attention from the blue statue and shows me other objects of his called ” On Fire ” Exhibition. A large terracotta Bhairava drinking vessels during rituals from Nepal, 19 century Buthanese Canopies, and Mongolian 19 century Damaru made of wood, inset bone and silk coed.
It’s getting late, and I have had an indigestion of information, I ask Arnold to pose for a picture that I will with his permission put in my blog.
” Of course, Mr Lieberman says , and in-spite all the Jewish-ness embedded in his name he answers ;” With pleasure Joelle, but not without the little Ganesha my Lord of Success!”
Joelle’s Tips:
The Gallery : Arnold Lieberman Buddhist & Hindu Antiques, 311 East 72 Street New York, NY 10021 tel: 1(212) 861-49-85 lieberman108@earthlink.net
