White Jambhala on a Dragon

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Although part of the jewel-born family associated with the Buddha Ratnasambhava, white Jambhala is said to have been born from the right eye of the compassionate bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. He is identifiable by the dragon he rides and his gold sword, a variant of the khatvanga ritual staff, which he holds in his left hand. He alleviates suffering from poverty and sickness and purifies nonvirtuous karmic actions.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art