An antique Tibetan tsakli painting, 19th Century or earlier (much earlier), depicting on against a brilliant red nimbus, a golden bowl, containing a heap of yellow mustard seeds - as offered to the Shakyamuni Buddha by the wrathful Bodhisattva Vajrapani, and which is used in destructive rites against negativities and hindrances which arise as obstructive demons. In Vajrayana rituals of destructive activity, mustard seed is one of the main 'magical ingredients' used in ritual weapons against harmful spirits. The offering is raised on a cloth covered pedestal, and the heap of mustard seeds is studded with 5 balls of auspicious substances.
6 lines of texts in 2 hands, 1 syllable and 1 red illumination. 13.3 x 9.5cm