Mongolia has been influenced by Tibetan Buddhism for some centuries now, and the Zanabazar Museum in Ulan Bator, houses some spectacular and intricate applique thangkas. But the most intriguing artwork, at least to me, was the chod iconographic wall painting of the the rear-most Erdene Zu Temple at Kharkhorin (pronounced "Harhorin," the capitol of the Mongol world from 1220 until 1260,and the Xanadu in Coleridge's famous poem.)

The shamanistic religion prominent at the time of Chingis Khan worshiped the Blue Sky Deity.  Perhaps this is the Blue Sky Deity on a throne supporting the entire phenomenal world. But, I like to think it also harkens to a much earlier time when the face of the deity could not be shown, or known. See Chingis-Khan.com for more about this.  For more about the headless/formless realm, see HeadlessDakinis.com.


Corpright BuddhaArt.com 2007-8
Photo: Courtesy Buddhist Travel Blog and Lynne Heckert