Temple hanging

The embroidered banner overhead likely once hung above an important doorway, much like the visionary entryway to the mandala’s palace. It, in fact, also comprises a mandala, not as a circular form viewed from above but stretched into a linear composition. The lowest horizontal band corresponds to the painting’s black circle punctuated by vajras, beyond which, rather than funeral grounds, are enchanting estates. The towers then rising from a stone wall are the four gateways into the palace enclosure, the two half gates at the ends conceptually joined to complete the circuit. The central gate’s red doorway stands partially opened, inviting us to enter.