Item: Teacher (Lama) - Shabdrung Ngagwang Namgyal

Shabdrung Ngagwang Namgyal (1594-1651): the founder of the Drugpa Kagyu tradition of Bhutan. As a possible candidate for recognition as the incarnation of the deceased lama Padma Karpo disputes arose amongst the various parties and at the age of 23 Ngagwang Namgyal fled into voluntary exile to the southern country of Bhutan.

Shab drung ngag wang nam gyal Biographical Details

At the top center is the primordial Buddha Vajradhara. To the left is the mahasiddha Tilopa holding a fish and seated at the right is Naropa. Along the sides are various lamas, monks and a solitary yogi wearing a white cotton robe.

Jeff Watt 4-2000

Thematic Sets
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Bhutan
Region: Bhutan, Teachers
Teacher: Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
Region: Bhutan, Paintings