Enlightened Beings

Thangkas of buddhas, gurus and bodhisattvas all fall into this category. Such figures are visualized in order to identify with the lineage of spiritual transmission from teacher to disciple, to surrender and take refuge.

Taking refuge is a process of freeing oneself from the notion of an external refuge. It is often said in the Buddhist scriptures that one should not take refuge in an external god or in external protectors, material or psychological, such as parents, relatives or wealth. Instead one should take refuge in the guru-buddha, the embodiment of the dharma, which is the nature of reality itself. Surrendering means becoming an empty vessel, becoming emotionally ready to receive the teaching.

Buddhas
There are three types of buddhas: nirmanakaya buddhas, sambhogakaya buddhas, dharmakaya buddhas. The main nirmanakaya buddhas are the “buddhas of the three times,” that is, the buddha of the past age, Dipankara; the buddha of the present age, Shakyamuni; and the buddha of the future age Maitreya. The nirmanakaya buddhas are those having human bodies and generally sharing the human condition. They wear the three robes of a monk, signifying the complete attainment of discipline, meditation and wisdom. Their hair is surmounted by an unadorned topknot.

Sambhogakaya buddhas are the yidams. There are two Dharmakaya buddhas to be found in the iconography. Samantabhadra (T.: Kuntu Zangpol Tt.: kun bzang po) not to be confused with the bodhisattva of the same name, is the Dharmakaya buddha according to the Old Translation School. He is depicted naked, symbolizing the formless and simplicity of the Dharmakaya. He wears the topknot, is dark in color and holds his hands in the meditation mudra. Vajradhara (T.: Dorje Chang; Tt.: rdorje chang) is the Dharmakaya buddha according to the New Translation School. He appears wearing sambhogakaya garments and ornaments, the same as those of the peaceful yidams. Samantabhadra and Vajradhara are the primordial buddhas, who represent the totally unconditioned quality of enlightened mind. According to the New Translation School, Shakyamuni took the form of Vajradhara to teach the tantras.

Bodhisattva

The bodhisattvas depicted in the iconography are the bodhisattva mahasattvas, the “great boshisattvas.” They are disciples of the Buddha Shakyamuni on the sambhogakaya level, ideal figures who are the complete expression of bodhisattvahood. Each according to his nature works ceaselessly to bring enlightenment to all sentiment beings. They also act as spokesmen for sentiment begins to the nirmanakaya buddhas. Often, it is said, sentiment beings are too confused even to seek the teachings; therefore the bodhisattvas approach the buddhas, asking that they turn the wheel of dharma. They also wear the garments and ornaments of the peaceful yidams, but in the manner of princes rather than kings. Examples are Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, and Taras.

Gurus
The guru thangkas show the accomplishments, powers and attributes of the great teachers. For example, Guru Rimpoche appears wearing several different layers of clothing. He wears the white underrobe of vajrayana; over that he wears the three robes of a hinayana monk. Outside these he wears a blue kimono-type gown (T.: per; Tt.: ber), a vermilion cloak and lotus hat. The gown, cloak and hat are the costume of a king representing the universal monarch of Mahayana. These garments signify that he has accomplished all three yanas and can manifest to his students on whichever of these levels is appropriate.

Other gurus are depicted wearing the robes appropriate to their lifestyle of yogi, monk or pandit. They hold in their hands the appropriate attributes: a gold wheel for power, sword and book for pandit, begging bowl for monk, skullcup for yogi, etc. The richness of the lineage and the teaching is symbolized by highly ornamented robes and richness of detail.

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Essay © 1975 Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
copyright © 2003 Shelly and Donald Rubin Foundation