Item: Vajradhara Buddha

Buddha Dorje Chang surrounded by masters from the Nyingma (rnying ma) lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, the first to develop in Tibet. The first of a set of (at least) five tangkas representing five aspects of Vajradhara (rdo rje 'chang). In each of these tangkas, the main figure is surrounded by masters of one of the main spiritual lineages that appeared in Tibet.

Surrounding figures: The main figure is here surrounded by masters from the Nyingma tradition (rnying ma), which originated in Tibet in the 9th century from Guru Padmasambhava's teachings. The lineage mentioned here, that of the 'gro ba kun grol bears the name of a well known sadhana focused on Avalokiteshvara (spyan ras gzigs, here represented on the lower right corner of the painting), which was revealed by Rigdzin Godem.

Front of Painting
English Translation of Inscription: "Ka (first) tangka of the Guru sadhana related to the peerless Palden D

Wylie Transliteration of Inscription: i) Transliteration (corrected): mtshungs med chos kyi dpal ldan don grub kyi bla grub kyi zhal than ka/ buddha rdo rje 'chang/ 'gro ba kun grol brgyud pa/

Thematic Sets
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Painting Gallery 7
Buddhist Deity: Vajradhara Main Page
Buddhist Deity: Vajradhara with Consort
Painting Set: Vajradhara Five Families (Drugpa)
Buddhist Deity: Vajradhara with Consort (Painting)