Item: Teacher (Lama) - Karmapa 13, Dudul Dorje

Dudul Dorje, 13th Karmapa (1733-1797): with lineage teachers above and wealth deities below.

Kar ma pa Biographical Details

In a youthful appearance with fair coloured skin he sits with the right hand extended in the open mudra (gesture) of generosity across the right knee. The left hand held to the heart gently grasps with thumb and ring finger the stem of a pink lotus flower blossoming at the left ear. Adorning the head he displays the black vajra crown, typical of the Karmapa lamas, a gift of the dakinis. Wearing the red and yellow robes of a fully ordained monk, wrapped in a yellow meditation cloak, he sits atop a low cushioned seat, elaborate with backrest and brocades. In front a low red table supports a water flask for ritual cleansing, teacup, bowl and plate of auspicious fruit. At the right a standing monk respectfully holds a gold teapot. At the left a cherry-blossom like tree springs forth with pink petals offering sanctuary to a pair of white-breasted blackbirds.

On a pillow of clouds at the upper right sit three lamas, the upper most wearing a black crown and the two lower wearing similar red crowns. All are attired in red and yellow monastic robes and perform various mudras. (The upper lama is likely the prior Karmapa Changchup Dorje (1703-1732) and the lower left the 7th Gyaltsap Rinpoche and to the right the 8th Situ Panchen Chokyi Jungne. The latter two were teachers of the 13th Karmapa).

At the bottom right is Yellow Jambhala, peaceful, paternal, corpulent, in the appearance of a worldly god. He holds a bijapuraka fruit in the right hand and a mongoose in the left. The right foot rests on a white conch shell atop a gold wealth vase above a heap of wishing jewels. Seated on a white moon disc and pink lotus blossom he is framed by white billowing clouds. At the left is White Jambhala, emanation of Avalokiteshvara, with one face and two hands holding a stick in the upraised right and a mongoose in the left. A katvanga staff leans against the left shoulder. Semi-wrathful in appearance he rides on the back of a golden dragon clutching wishing jewels in each claw. Between the two wealth deities are various precious jewels and gold ornaments.

Jeff Watt 2-99

Thematic Sets
Tradition: Kagyu Teachers (Paintings)
Painting Set: Karmapa (Set 15)
Incarnation Lineage: Gyalwa Karmapa Main Page
Teacher: Karmapa 13th, Dudul Dorje
Collection of Shelley & Donald Rubin
Painting Set: Karma Kagyu Lineage (Sertreng, misc.)
Teacher: Karmapa Mikyo Dorje, 8th (Front Facing)