Item: Padmasambhava - Guru Dragpo (meditational form)

Guru Dragpo, (English: Wrathful Teacher) fierce Padmasambhava, from the Terma (Revealed Treasure) Lineage of Nyang Ral Nyima Ozer (1124-1192).

Very fierce, red in colour, with one face and three eyes, he has a gaping mouth and yellow hair flowing upward. The right hand holds upraised a gold vajra sceptre, the left a black scorpion with numerous eyes. Adorned with a crown, earrings, bracelets and necklaces of gold and a large green writhing snake, he wears a garland of heads and an elephant skin draped across the shoulders. A tiger skin covers the lower body. With the right leg bent and left extended atop a seat of two prone figures, a sun disc, and multi-coloured lotus blossom, he stands surrounded by the red flames of pristine awareness. A Garuda bird soars at the apex of the flames.

"From the wrathful mandala of natural great bliss, Padma Krodha, with a red-black blazing body, one face, two hands, two legs outstretched; homage to the form of the terrifying Fierce One." (Nyingma Liturgical Verse).

At the top center is Padmasambhava with the two consorts Mandarawa and Yeshe Tsogyal. Buddhas, deities and lineage teachers are arranged in the top two registers. The upper side registers are filled with retinue figures similar in appearance to the central Guru Dragpo.

The lower side and bottom registers have fourteen mounted protector figures. At the bottom center is a protector deity, blue in colour, with one face and six hands, accompanied by three dancing goddesses, red in colour.

Jeff Watt 8-2011