Item: Indian Teacher - Atisha

Atisha (Tibetan: jowo je atisha): surrounded by mahasiddha. From a set of three paintings. [TBRC P3379].

Vajradhara | Nagarjuna | Atisha

Twenty-nine of the Eighty-four Mahasiddha The listing of the mahasiddha begins at the top right of the composition and moves clockwise around the painting. The non-sequential numbers below correspond to the sequential list of the siddhas according to the System of Vajrasana.

22. Atisha: the large central figure dressed as a monk with an orange hat.
73. Vagishvara: riding on a rainbow in the sky.
68. (sgra mkhan zhabs): in siddha appearance with the right hand raised; with consort.
72. Ravigupta: a praying monk with an orange hat; White Tara above.
77. Sengepa: a dark yogi holding up a skull bowl.
21. Shantipa: a monk seated in meditation.
71. Siyali: naked, dark skinned and eating a human forearm.
63. Charyapa: seated, light skinned and embracing a consort.
59. Chandrakirti: a seated monk with a hat; Orange Manjushri above.
57. Chandrabhadra: seated in meditation above a mat of green leaves.
62. Avadhuti: wearing a green cloak and gazing on a goddess; White Tara above.
37. Kamala: a seated monk with an orange hat, holding a vase, and feeding birds.
47. Khantali: a light skinned man carrying an old dark woman on his back.
55. Ananta: a seated brahmin with white hair and beard; with a consort.
33. Sarakapa: seated, wearing a white garment with the right hand raised.
34. Shantipa: a monk with a yellow hat and black begging bowl; Vajrayogini in front.
56. Sengepa: holding a water vase and peacock feather; Avalokiteshvara above.
46. Kumara: the bootmaker, holding a white boot.
35. Tagapa: seated working a loom with an attendant.
36. Jalandhara: in a dancing posture with the left arm raised; Vajravarahi above.
58. Anandagarbha: a seated monk holding a pen and book; White Tara at the side.
60. (smad dkris pa): dark, dancing with a human skin; White Achala above.
64. Shakya Shenyen: a seated monk with an oranage hat holding a pen and book.
61. Karnapa: seated in sexual embrace and squeezing the breast of the consort.
65. Chandali: dark skinned, naked, in sexual embrace with a consort.
69. Kontali: light skinned, semi-naked, holding a skullcup; with attendant.
43. Bhinasa: standing and playing a stringed-instrument; Chakrasamvara above.
74. Hilapa: a seated monk.
54. Dasiripa: flying in the sky, arms outstretched, with a consort.

Jeff Watt 12-2005