Interior of a Book Cover: Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort, with Attendant Lamas

Interior of a Book Cover: Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort, with Attendant Lamas

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Paintings on the interiors of book covers consecrate and protect the sacred texts within. The deity Manjuvajra is an esoteric expression of the wisdom bodhisattva Manjushri and is seen here in a sexual embrace with one of the wisdom goddesses, or Vidyadharas. They wield identical weapons to drive away impediments to spiritual awakening. Meditations on Manjuvajra serve to enhance understanding and intelligence, necessary tools on the path to wisdom and enlightenment.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Interior of a Book Cover: Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort, with Attendant LamasInterior of a Book Cover: Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort, with Attendant LamasInterior of a Book Cover: Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort, with Attendant LamasInterior of a Book Cover: Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort, with Attendant LamasInterior of a Book Cover: Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort, with Attendant Lamas

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.