Item: Refuge Field (Buddhist) - Nyingma Lineage

Padmasambhava and consort (Tibetan: pe ma jung ne yab yum) in the middle of a field for the accumulation of merit, Refuge Field (Tib.: tsog shing) arranged according to the tradition of the Longchen Nyingtig system of Revealed Treasure in the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. (See Longchen Nyingtig Outline Page).

Tibetan: Tsog shing

Seated above are the lineage teachers. At the lower front are the Buddhas. At the left are the transcendent followers (Sanskrit: sangha) - the bodhisattvas. At the right are the Shravaka followers. The sacred books representing the Dharma are stacked behind the central figures. Tutelary deities and protectors are below encircling the Buddhas.

Nyingma Tradition Refuge Field paintings first appear in the 19th century as a visual representation of the Field of Accumulation for the Longchen Nyingtig uncommon preliminary practices as taught by Jigme Lingpa (1729-1798) and later explained in detail by Patrul Rinpoche in the famous text The Words of My Perfect Teacher. Recent painting commissions depicting the 'terma' revelations of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche reveal several Refuge Field compositions.

Jeff Watt 5-2000 [updated 2-2011]