The Rubin Museum of Art

Rubin Museum Senior Curator Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker explain the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava through a painting of the Indian Buddhist master, who became known when he defeated the hostile spirits of Tibet while converting the land and its gods to Buddhism. The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art has teamed up with Smarthistory to bring you an ‘up-close’ look at select objects from the Rubin’s preeminent collection of Himalayan art. Featuring conversations with senior curators and close-looking at art, this video series is an accessible introduction to the art and material culture of the Tibetan, Himalayan, and Inner Asian regions. Learn about the living traditions and art-making practices of the Himalayas from the past to today. Learn more: Explore the artwork in the Rubin’s collection: https://rubinmuseum.org/collection/SC2012-4-13/ Read an article about about the significance of the lotus flower in Himalayan art: https://rubinmuseum.org/the-lotus-flower-sacred-symbol-of-transcendence/ About the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art The Rubin is a global museum dedicated to presenting Himalayan art and its insights through exhibitions, participatory experiences, a dynamic digital platform, and partnerships. Inspired and informed by Himalayan art, the Rubin invites people to contemplate the human experience and deepen connections with the world around them in order to expand awareness, enhance well-being, and cultivate compassion. View the Himalayan Art Up Close series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx45fB6DE2io2KsDO8AZttkdIfaZXHLNd Subscribe to the Rubin Museum YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RubinMuseum Images: Padmasambhava, his eight manifestations, and scenes from his life, 19th century (Gangteng Monastery, Bhutan), Pigments on cloth (Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, SC2012.4.13)

Rubin Senior Curator Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker look at a beautiful sculpture of the Hindu goddess Kashmira, who here is portrayed assuming the qualities of the principal Hindu deity Shiva. The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art has teamed up with Smarthistory to bring you an ‘up-close’ look at select objects from the Rubin’s preeminent collection of Himalayan art. Featuring conversations with senior curators and close-looking at art, this video series is an accessible introduction to the art and material culture of the Tibetan, Himalayan, and Inner Asian regions. Learn about the living traditions and art-making practices of the Himalayas from the past to today. Learn more: Explore the artwork in the Rubin’s collection: https://rubinmuseum.org/collection/C2005-16-5/ Read the essay, Kashmiri Aesthetics at the Royal Monastery in Western Tibet: https://rubinmuseum.org/projecthimalayanart/essays/stupa-at-toling-monastery/ Learn about the impact of Kashmiri art across Asia: https://rubinmuseum.org/projecthimalayanart/essays/buddha-on-the-cosmic-mountain/ About the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art The Rubin is a global museum dedicated to presenting Himalayan art and its insights through exhibitions, participatory experiences, a dynamic digital platform, and partnerships. Inspired and informed by Himalayan art, the Rubin invites people to contemplate the human experience and deepen connections with the world around them in order to expand awareness, enhance well-being, and cultivate compassion. View the Himalayan Art Up Close series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx45fB6DE2io2KsDO8AZttkdIfaZXHLNd Subscribe to the Rubin Museum YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RubinMuseum Images: Kashmira, 10th century (Kashmir, India), Copper alloy with inlays of silver (Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, C2005.16.5)

The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art presents a weekly meditation for beginners and skilled meditators alike. Each episode is inspired by a different work of art from the Museum’s collection and is led by a prominent meditation teacher. The episode begins with an opening talk followed by a 20-minute meditation. In this episode, the guided meditation begins at 13:06. Teacher: Tracy Cochran Theme: Loving Future Stupa ( https://rubinmuseum.org/collection/c2006-66-635/ ); Tibet; 13th century; copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2006.66.635 Learn more about the Rubin’s work around the world at rubinmuseum.org ( http://rubinmuseum.org ). Mindfulness Meditation Podcast Episode 513 February 6, 2026 ★ Episode details: https://share.transistor.fm/s/c5ede16f ★ Additional episodes: https://rubinmuseum.org

Rubin Museum Senior Curator Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker explore the Buddhist concept of the bardo—the state in between death and rebirth—portrayed in an 18th-century Tibetan thangka painting. The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art has teamed up with Smarthistory to bring you an ‘up-close’ look at select objects from the Rubin’s preeminent collection of Himalayan art. Featuring conversations with senior curators and close-looking at art, this video series is an accessible introduction to the art and material culture of the Tibetan, Himalayan, and Inner Asian regions. Learn about the living traditions and art-making practices of the Himalayas from the past to today. Learn more: View the artwork in the Rubin’s collection: https://rubinmuseum.org/collection/C2006-66-17/ Explore similar artworks in the Museum’s collection: https://rubinmuseum.org/our-collection/explore/?filter_keyword=Peaceful+and+Wrathful+Deities+of+the+Bardo&filter_type=all Read an article about how the mind navigates the passage between death and rebirth.: https://rubinmuseum.org/death-the-bardo-and-rebirth-in-tibetan-buddhism/ About the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art The Rubin is a global museum dedicated to presenting Himalayan art and its insights through exhibitions, participatory experiences, a dynamic digital platform, and partnerships. Inspired and informed by Himalayan art, the Rubin invites people to contemplate the human experience and deepen connections with the world around them in order to expand awareness, enhance well-being, and cultivate compassion. View the Himalayan Art Up Close series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx45fB6DE2io2KsDO8AZttkdIfaZXHLNd Subscribe to the Rubin Museum YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RubinMuseum Images: Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the Bardo, 18th century (Tibet), Pigments on cloth (Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin, C2006.66.17)

Rubin Museum Senior Curator Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Dr. Beth Harris walk us through a painting that illustrates the Kalachakra Tantra, which explains and integrates observed relationships between the human body and mind with the external universe while foregrounding human experience. The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art has teamed up with Smarthistory to bring you an ‘up-close’ look at select objects from the Rubin’s preeminent collection of Himalayan art. Featuring conversations with senior curators and close-looking at art, this video series is an accessible introduction to the art and material culture of the Tibetan, Himalayan, and Inner Asian regions. Learn about the living traditions and art-making practices of the Himalayas from the past to today. Learn more about the Kalachakra teachings: Interact with the Kalachakra Cosmology Illustration: https://rubinmuseum.org/kalachakra-cosmology-illustration/?returnto=10664 Dive into astrology and Buddhism: https://rubinmuseum.org/connecting-the-dots/ Read about how Tibetan astro-science can help navigate birth, life, death, and beyond: https://rubinmuseum.org/birth-death-repeat-kalachakra-shambhala-and-the-future/ Learn about Shambhala, a hidden Buddhist Pure Land referenced in the Kalachakra Tantra: https://rubinmuseum.org/projecthimalayanart/essays/shambhala-kings-mural/ About the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art The Rubin is a global museum dedicated to presenting Himalayan art and its insights through exhibitions, participatory experiences, a dynamic digital platform, and partnerships. Inspired and informed by Himalayan art, the Rubin invites people to contemplate the human experience and deepen connections with the world around them in order to expand awareness, enhance well-being, and cultivate compassion. View the Himalayan Art Up Close series: / playlist Subscribe to the Rubin Museum YouTube channel: / @rubinmuseum Images: Kalachakra Cosmology Illustration, 16th century (Tibet), Pigments on cloth (Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, C2009.9)

Rubin Senior Curator Dr. Karl Debreczeny and Dr. Beth Harris of Smarthistory contextualize a sculpture depicting Drenpa Namkha—the first historically documented Bon master who is credited with saving the teachings of the Bon tradition from eradication. The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art has teamed up with Smarthistory to bring you an ‘up-close’ look at select objects from the Rubin’s preeminent collection of Himalayan art. Featuring conversations with senior curators and close-looking at art, this video series is an accessible introduction to the art and material culture of the Tibetan, Himalayan, and Inner Asian regions. Learn about the living traditions and art-making practices of the Himalayas from the past to today. Learn more: View this artwork in the Rubin’s collection: https://rubinmuseum.org/collection/C2003-31-1/ Dive into an introduction to the Bon religion: https://rubinmuseum.org/projecthimalayanart/essays/bon-deity-trowo-tsochok-khagying/ Learn about the unique Tibetan tradition of namkha: https://rubinmuseum.org/projecthimalayanart/essays/thread-crosses/ About the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art The Rubin is a global museum dedicated to presenting Himalayan art and its insights through exhibitions, participatory experiences, a dynamic digital platform, and partnerships. Inspired and informed by Himalayan art, the Rubin invites people to contemplate the human experience and deepen connections with the world around them in order to expand awareness, enhance well-being, and cultivate compassion. View the Himalayan Art Up Close series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx45fB6DE2io2KsDO8AZttkdIfaZXHLNd Subscribe to the Rubin Museum YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RubinMuseum Images: Drenpa Namka, 15th century (Tibet), Copper alloy with silver and turquoise inlays (Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, C2003.31.1)