Brahma Standing on a Turtle Surrounded by the Four Lokapalas, Guardians of the Cardinal Directions

Brahma Standing on a Turtle Surrounded by the Four Lokapalas, Guardians of the Cardinal Directions

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The lokapalas stand in each of the four cardinal directions as protectors of both the Buddhist dharma (teachings) and the religious community. Texts speak of monasteries being constructed on grids symbolically marked with these deities, leaving the specific ritual function of these sculptures an open question. The deity Brahma is Lord of the Center.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Brahma Standing on a Turtle Surrounded by the Four Lokapalas, Guardians of the Cardinal DirectionsBrahma Standing on a Turtle Surrounded by the Four Lokapalas, Guardians of the Cardinal DirectionsBrahma Standing on a Turtle Surrounded by the Four Lokapalas, Guardians of the Cardinal DirectionsBrahma Standing on a Turtle Surrounded by the Four Lokapalas, Guardians of the Cardinal DirectionsBrahma Standing on a Turtle Surrounded by the Four Lokapalas, Guardians of the Cardinal Directions

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.