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Padmasambhava (Padma Jungna) is one of the most revered historical figures in Tibet . A Mahasiddha (Dubthob) from India , he traveled to Tibet in the eighth century to conquer the indigenous demons and disseminate the dharma. There are eight main manifestations of Padmasambhava in Tibetan iconography. The most popular manifestation, and the name by which padmasambhava is known by in Tibet , is Guru Rinpoche, the Precious Teacher.
Guru Rinpoche is seated in vajraparyankasana, the meditation posture with feet hidden to represent his esoteric nature. His body aureole is golden and bejeweled while the background has pink lotus, the supreme lotus of Shakyamuni Buddha. To those of the Nyingma sect, the "Sect of the Old" that Guru Rinpoche initiated, Padmasambhava is cherished like a second Buddha.
Guru Rinpoche is wearing lavish robes, representing the amount of honor he received in coming to Tibet . His characteristic head-dress has the ear-lappets turned up so that he can listen to all beings. Guru Rinpoche is holding a skull-cap filled with tantric liquids, a vajra, and a staff with a banner, human heads, and a trident ( khatvanga ). A banner is one of the eight auspicious symbols ( krashi taggyad ) and a trident ( tsesum ) symbolizes the Three Jewels (Konchog sum) and the tripitaka ( denod sum ). In his right hand Guru Rinpoche holds a vajra in vajratarjani mudra.
Guru Rinpoche is surrounded by various adepts and deities of the Nyingma order. Presiding over all, in the center of the highest plane of the painting, is Amitabha Buddha, whom Padmasambhava is considered to be an emanation. By his sides are Padmasambhava's consorts, the Indian princess Mahadarava and the Tibetan dakini ( khadama ) Yeshe Khado. |
