Palcho Monastery Kumbum Stupa Wish Fulfilling Shrine: Marpa

CHINA, Tibet, Gyantse

Marpa, the prominent monk who founded the Kagyu school, was also a renowned translator who studied under Naropa in India. The joined aureole and nimbus takes the shape of a shallow niche with a red and gold flame-pattern surround, supported at the base by flaming swords of discernment. Marpa is depicted with hair neatly combed into separate locks that curl downward to his shoulders. The figure is dressed in monk’s attire with an inner tunic under the draping monastic robe and a high waisted inner robe. The figure sits cross-legged with the right hand making the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra.