Happy Xmas.
Here's a seasonal offering - this year's festive card
Here are the five female Wisdom Buddhas: Locana, Mamaki, Pandaravasini, Aryatara and Akasadhatesvari. This is a companion set to the set of the five Jinnas which you can find scrolling down the posts to December and October 2016.
Mamaki is the embodiment of the Wisdom of Equality which sees in all of us the potential for Awakening, and understands the existential situation that we all share.
Here are some experimental renderings of this wisdom deity.
She sits relaxed and upright in the posture of Royal Ease. She holds the chintamani, the wish fulfilling jewel in her right hand which stretches out in the gesture of giving. (varada mudra). On the blue lotus by her left shoulder rests a silver vajra bell.
Two of the images explore her connection with the earth element.
Locana is the personification of the Mirror Like Wisdom of Akshobya, the blue Buddha of the East. Her name means "she with the eye" or "she who is illuminated by the Dharma". The eye as in The Eye of Wisdom"
I am currently exploring the five Prajnas, the five female wisdom Buddhas and making images of them, both digitally and with pigment on surfaces. Locana is the first Wisdom Buddha in the series. Her element is water.
A sky dancing Chodma inspired by Machig Lapdron who founded the lineage of Chod practitioners. The sun and moon both shine in the sky symbolising that the dance is happening outside time. The Chodma is wearing bone ornaments and plays a Chod drum and a vajra bell. The Khatvangha on the left of the painting is a golden staff rich in symbolism.