Item: Padmasambhava - 8 Forms: Pema Gyalpo

Pema Gyalpo Padmasambhava.

Pema Gyalpo is one of the eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava as revealed by the 12th-century Nyingma treasure revealer Nyangral Nyima Ozer (1124-92). Among the twelve commonly known manifestations of Padmasambhava, these eight are the most frequently depicted in Himalayan art, each representing different episodes from his life and corresponding to the twelve 10th days of the Tibetan lunar calendar.

Rendered in the Khamri style painting of Eastern Tibet, the composition portrays Pema Gyalpo as a King adorned with a lavish jeweled crown, a white head covering, and intricately detailed multi-layered robes in vibrant hues. Seated upon an elaborate throne supported by auspicious animals, Pema Gyalpo exuded an aura of royal authority. In his right hand, he holds a damaru drum and a mirror in his left. His feet rest within finely decorated boots, enhancing his majestic presence.

The composition is set before a celestial palace, where five attendant figures are positioned at the lower register, while three heavenly figures emerge from swirling clouds in the upper right. The figure of Vidyadhara Vimalamitra appears at the upper left. The rendering of clouds, foliage, and figural expressions reflects a distinctly Eastern Tibetan aesthetic, with delicate shading and fluid brushwork.

This composition is part of a series produced through woodblock printing, representing the full set of eight manifestations. Comparable examples with slight differences in painting style, such as Himalayan Art Resources #374 and #33549 , suggest that the series was appreciated by many beyond the Kham region of Tibet and throughout the Himalayas. The use of block printing facilitated the production of multiple copies, ensuring the accessibility of these sacred images to a broader monastic and lay audience.

Shinzo Shiratori 2-2025