Eight Manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava | The Legendary Second Buddha of Tibet
This sacred thangka beautifully depicts eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava, each representing a unique aspect of Guru Rinpoche’s enlightened activity. It is hand-painted by skilled artists in our Enlightenment Studio, using a fine cotton canvas. It showcases acrylic colors that are meticulously applied and skillfully layered to achieve the depth, luminosity, and expressive detail of each figure. Genuine 24K gold is intricately used to highlight sacred ornaments, hats or crowns, halos, and symbolic features, enhancing the deities' spiritual presence and divine radiance. The composition follows the traditional Karma Gadri style, known for its elegant spacing, natural landscapes, and soft color palette, which allows each figure to stand out clearly without overcrowding the scene. The serene backdrop of mountains and floral motifs creates a balanced spiritual mandala, radiating artistic excellence and profound symbolic meaning.
Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism known as the "Second Buddha." He brought Vajrayana Buddhism from India to Tibet in the 8th century and subdued hostile forces that hindered its spread. Guru Rinpoche was a realized master, tantric yogi, mystic, and teacher whose teachings are preserved in the Nyingma tradition. Seated at the center of the thangka in royal robes and holding a vajra and skull cup, he is surrounded by rich floral motifs and a radiant halo, symbolizing his enlightened qualities. His consorts, Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal, played crucial roles in receiving, preserving, and transmitting his teachings. At the top of the composition, Samantabhadra with his consort represents the ultimate nature of the mind, pure awareness that transcends duality.
The Eight Manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava:
1. Guru Shakya Senge—Lion of the Shakyas
Represents mastery of the monastic path and the Buddha’s teachings; manifests as a monk to uphold the Dharma.
2. Guru Pema Gyalpo—Lotus King
He appears as a youthful prince, symbolizing skillful means, charm, and the ability to teach through royal presence.
3. Guru Loden Chokse—Wisdom Seeker Who Delights in Learning
It depicts Guru Rinpoche as a great scholar and represents the pursuit of knowledge, logic, and profound debate.
4. Guru Dorje Chang—Vajra Holder (Vajradhara)
The embodiment of the Dharmakaya—the ultimate, formless nature of mind—symbolizes primordial wisdom and the source of all tantric teachings.
5. Guru Nyima Ozer—Sunbeam of Light
Radiates rays of wisdom and compassion; represents the ability to illuminate ignorance and dispel darkness.
6. Guru Pema Jungne—Lotus Born
The most widely recognized form of Padmasambhava holds a vajra and skull cup, representing the balanced union of compassion and wisdom.
7. Guru Senge Dradrok—Roaring Lion of Speech
A wrathful form who subdues demonic forces with powerful mantras and fearless speech; symbolizes protection and fierce compassion.
8. Guru Dorje Drolo—Wrathful Vajra Rider
The figure, depicted riding a tigress, embodies the wild, untamed power of transformation and the ability to overcome deep spiritual obstacles.
These eight forms together embody Guru Rinpoche's full spectrum of enlightened activity, adapting to all beings and situations across time and space.
DRAWN AS MENTIONED IN THE MEDITATION MANUAL
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Size: 30"/76 cm (width) x 40"/101 cm (height)
Materials: Cotton Canvas, 24K Gold, Acrylic Colors
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HAND-PAINTED WITH ACRYLIC COLOR AND GENUINE 24K GOLD IN TRADITIONAL KARMA GADRI STYLE
OUR TEAM
We are a team of traditionally trained Karma Gadri artists from Boudha Stupa. Our lineage comes from Venerable Master Jamyang Phunshok, from Kham, Eastern Tibet.
We are focused on bringing accurate iconographic thangkas, which will be helpful to your practice.
BROCADE MOUNT
We offer traditional brocade mounts upon request. For your final confirmation, we will send available samples and pricing details.
CONSECRATION OF THANGKA
Per your request for consecrations/blessings, we can take the thangka to nearby monasteries/Rinpoches from the Boudha Stupa. We kindly ask that you contribute $50 to the monasteries for these blessing/consecration services.
