Buddhist God Mahakala

This small stone sculpture with pigment from 15th-century Tibet depicts Mahakala, one of Buddhism's most powerful protector deities. His name means "beyond time" or "beyond death." In Buddhist theology, Mahakala originated when Avalokiteshvara (the Bodhisattva of Compassion) witnessed endless suffering and his compassion transformed into wrathful protective energy. The black color symbolizes how all names and forms dissolve into ultimate reality.

Mahakala wears a crown of five skulls, representing the transmutation of five negative afflictions (anger, desire, ignorance, jealousy, pride) into five wisdoms. As a dharmapala (dharma protector), his fierce appearance serves to remove obstacles on the path to enlightenment. At about 3 inches, this was a personal meditation object. It's at the Art Institute of Chicago, a gift from Marilynn B. Alsdorf.