Dabaoji Palace: Padmasambhava

CHINA, Yunnan, Lijiang; Ming dynasty

This scene is painted on the west wall of Dabaoji Palace. Padmasambhava brought Vajrayana Buddhism from India to Tibet in the 8th century, translating scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan and helping to found Samye Monastery. By the 11th or 12th century, a school had formed around his teachings. As other denominations of Tibetan Buddhism emerged, the school came to be called the Nyingma (ancient) school due to its adherence to the scriptures translated before the 10th century, as opposed to the new translations that most other schools followed. As monks from this school wear red hats, it is also known as the Red Hat school.
Padmasambhava has a dark nimbus and an aureole bordered by flame patterns. He wears a golden crown, earrings, and other ornaments. A red stole circles his arms and flaps in the air. His crossed hands hold a vajra. Padmasambhava sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne supported by a Sumeru base. The Bodhisattvas on either side of the throne have nimbuses, wear crowns, and stand on lotus pedestals.
Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, the patriarchs of the Nyingma school, and the deities of a hundred crafts surround the central figure. The Bodhisattvas wear short garments and have bare upper bodies. The deities of a hundred crafts are depicted dancing, playing musical instruments, husking rice grains, weaving, chopping firewood, taming animals, and picking mulberries. The patriarchs of the Nyingma school wear red hats and robes.