In compliance with the NYC mandate, proof of vaccination is required. PLAN YOUR VISIT. close-button Mobile Menu Button THE TIBETAN BUDDHIST SHRINE ROOM EXHIBITION OCTOBER 11, 2019 – JANUARY 1, 2022 Purchase Admission Since it first opened, the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room has been one of the most popular installations at the Rubin Museum, providing an immersive experience inspired by a traditional shrine. Art and ritual objects are displayed as they would in an elaborate private household shrine, a space used for offerings, devotional prayer, rituals, and contemplation. The design of the Shrine Room showcases these objects while incorporating elements of traditional Tibetan architecture and the color schemes of Tibetan homes. For Museum visitors, this richly detailed, immersive installation provides an oasis for peaceful contemplation at the heart of the Rubin Museum. Inside the Shrine Room Scroll paintings known as thangkas, sculptures, ritual items, and musical instruments are arranged on traditional Tibetan furniture according to the hierarchy they assume in Tibetan Buddhist practices. The objects, such as vajras and bells, offering bowls, pitchers, and ritual mandalas are used in daily rituals and offerings along with handheld drums, conch trumpets, horns, and reeds. Ornamental textile decorations of brocade silk, made by traditional masters of appliqué craft, hung from the ceiling and on pillars, are also an integral part of a traditional shine room’s adornment. The Rubin’s Shrine Room is complete with simulated flickering butter lamps, recordings of Tibetan monks and nuns chanting prayers, and the subtle smell of incense, which is used during religious practices. The Kagyu Tradition Shrine Room The installation rotates every two years to highlight each of the four major Tibetan religious traditions. This rendition features the Kagyu tradition and includes images of buddhas, bodhisattvas, tantric deities, protectors, and teacher portraits specific to the branches of this tradition. Among the most famous teachers of the Kagyu tradition are the renowned translator and teacher Marpa, his legendary disciple and yogi Milarepa, and the lamas, or teachers, of the first reincarnation lineage in Tibetan Buddhism, known as Karmapas. Some of the main practices of this tradition focus on the tantric deities Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara and the fierce protector deity Mahakala. The installation is accompanied by an interactive touch screen with a virtual tour of the Shrine Room. The tour features select paintings, sculptures, and ritual items on loan to the Museum as well as objects from the Rubin Museum’s collection that focus on the Kagyu tradition’s deities, teachers, and related practices. Curated by Elena Pakhoutova Quotes from Rubin Visitors “I love to stop in and sit by the Shrine Room, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.” “The Shrine Room sets the stage for quiet contemplation of the rest of the Museum.” “Stepping into the Shrine Room is a moment to reconnect to our inner selves and remember our humanity.” “Coming in from the New York City streets, it is a space to slow down and possibly even set an intention before looking closely and thoughtfully at Museum objects.” The Shrine Room is supported by The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Namita and Arun Saraf, and by generous donations from the Museum’s Board of Trustees, individual donors, and members. PLAN YOUR VISIT Location, Hours, and Admission Group Reservations Dining at Café Serai Regular Gallery Tours All Current Exhibitions GO INSIDE THE TIBETAN BUDDHIST SHRINE ROOM The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room evokes the aesthetics and atmosphere of a traditional Tibetan sacred space and offers visitors the opportunity to experience Tibetan religious art in its cultural context. There are many kinds of Tibetan Buddhist shrines, from humble home altars to lavish temples, but the Rubin Museum’s Shrine Room installation is modeled on an affluent household shrine. It includes more than one hundred objects, largely from the Museum’s collection, including sculptures, paintings, offering bowls, musical instruments, and ritual objects. Take a virtual tour of the Shrine Room to learn more about the objects, which reflect particular teachings, practices, and lineage transmissions, and are used in daily worship and rituals. Launch Interactive EXPERIENCE THE SHRINE ROOM IN YOUR HOME Bring the meditative sights and sounds of the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room into your home with a 2-hour-long stream of the installation featuring the chants and flickering lights you would encounter in person. Stream Now EXHIBITION RESOURCES Sacred Spaces: The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room Kagyu Tradition Exhibition Audio Tour January 2020 Learn More SEND YOUR COMMENTS Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this site until the Rubin has approved them. Name* Email* Comment HAPPENING TODAY Senior Thursday Monthly event for visitors 65 and older 10:00 AM Virtual Senior Tour Shrine Room Projects 11:30 AM Gateway to Himalayan Art June 11, 2021 – June 5, 2023 On View Awaken A Tibetan Buddhist Journey Toward Enlightenment March 12, 2021 – January 3, 2022 On View Masterworks A Journey Through Himalayan Art January 29, 2021 – January 8, 2024 On View Shrine Room Projects Rohini Devasher/Palden Weinreb November 12, 2021 – October 30, 2023 On View The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room October 11, 2019 – January 1, 2022 On View Mandala Lab Where emotions can turn to wisdom October 1, 2021 – October 1, 2031 On View Browse Full Calendar THE RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART 150 West 17th St. New York, NY 10011 (212) 620-5000 HOURS Monday Closed Tuesday Closed Wednesday Closed Thursday 11:00 AM — 5:00 PM 10:00 AM — 11:00 AM Senior and high risk hours Friday 11:00 AM — 10:00 PM Saturday/Sunday 11:00 AM — 5:00 PM The Mandala Lab is reserved for family programming from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM every Sunday. The Museum is closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day. The Museum closes one hour early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. SITE LINKS Visit Us Event Calendar Current Exhibitions Tours and Groups Learn Accessibility Dine Membership Donate Rent the Rubin For Press Contact Us Terms & Conditions Report an Issue facebook twitter instagram youtube trip advisor RSS