Phajoding Monastery: Padmasambhava

BHUTAN, Thimphu

Padmasambhava, the founder of the Tibetan Nyingma school, sits on a lotus that rises from a pond, gazing intently at the viewer. He wears a headdress with upturned ends and a monastic robe covered with delicate patterns. A tantric staff rests in the crook of his left arm, and he holds a vajra and a skull cup. Fine golden lines radiate from his body. His consorts Madarava and Yeshe Tsogyal kneel on lotus thrones beside him. Amitabha Buddha is in the center of the upper register, flanked by Amitayus Buddha on the left and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (reigned 1616–1651), the unifier of Bhutan, on the right. In the center of the lower register, a three-headed Dharma protector embraces his consort. The other figures in the painting are the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava. Beginning in the upper right corner and moving in a clockwise direction, there are depictions of Guru Padmasambhava, Guru Padma Gyalop, Guru Shakya Sengy, the wrathful Guru Dorje Drolo, the blue Guru Sengye Dradog, Guru Nyima Ozer, Guru Loden Chogse, and Guru Tshokey Dorje.