Wellcome Collection never ceases to amaze with a wide array of subjects but Tibet’s Secret Temple exhibition that illustrates the unique and enchanting Tibetan buddhist practices surpasses the rest as one of its best revelations. Lukhang is no more a secret temple as it has arrived in London until the end of February.
Here, the artefacts have been wisely selected to uncover the tantric meditative side of Buddhism. Thangkas, scroll paintings, and manuscripts reflecting Buddhist rituals, stories and ancient Tibetan human anatomy are distinct and cover more than half of the display walls along with an up-close view of different kinds of statues from Tibet, Nepal, India and Bhutan. The old and new photographs are personal and powerful.
The Tantric yoga section has finely utilised the archival and digital medium to display some of its unique features. A yogi is seen displaying his physical skills by lifting himself from the ground by only using his body. The digital recreation of the three walls of Lukhang which were not destroyed by the Chinese make one wonder how these detailed murals were used to meditate for months and years as Tibetan Buddhism evolved across the Himalayas. As Buddhist chants start to settle the mind, some of the objects made from human bones might come as a surprise to many who are not familiar with Tantrism.
The western world has always been fascinated with the yogic and meditational side of Buddhism and its correlation to body and mind. The tantric side of Tibetan Buddhism that has its strong roots in the old and spiritual himalayan practices has bewildered many. This exhibition clearly fulfils that curiosity by taking us into a tour of Lukhang temple, a temple built on the lake by the 5th Dalai Lama behind Potala palace to meditate, and the various significant components of Tibetan Buddhism which still mystifies many.
