The Eight Manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava

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Padmasambhava has many forms, including an important set of eight which are frequently represented in Tantric art. First, there is simply the form shown in the center, wearing his characteristic cap with earflaps, which is topped by an eagle feather symbolizing his high spiritual flight.

To the left of Amitabha sits the next manifestation as Guru Shakya Senge (lion of the Shakyas). In this form he appears in the way that the Buddha is himself depicted - holding a begging bowl and golden yellow in complexion. This emphasizes the fact that Padmasambhava is often described as a 'second Buddha.'

To Amitabha's right is a blue Padmasambhava in intimate physical union with his consort Mandarva.

Next in anticlockwise direction are the following manifestations of Padmasambhava:

Suryaprabha holding a khatavanga.

Loden Chogse, the proclaimer of wisdom.

The wrathful Dorje Drolo, riding a pregnant tigress. In this form Padmasambhava appeared, flying on this mount, in Bhutan where he landed in the monastery of Takshang, known as the Tiger's nest, that holds to a cliff high above the city of Paro (see image below).

At the same level as Dorje Drolo, to the right, stands a second wrathful manifestation, known as Senge Dadog. This signifies Padmasambhava's status as a Dharampala, celebrating his subjugation of the many native deities of Tibet, bringing them into the fold of Buddhism.

Lastly, above him (anticlockwise) is Padma Raja, playing a damaru and holding a mirror, which reflects our karma.

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Unveiling the Divine Art: Journey into the Making of Thangkas

A Thangka is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist painting that usually depicts a Buddhist Deity (Buddha or Bodhisattva), a scene, or a mandala. These paintings are considered important paraphernalia in Buddhist rituals. They are used to teach the life of the Buddha, various lamas, and Bodhisattvas to the monastic students, and are also useful in visualizing the deity while meditating. One of the most important subjects of thangkas is the Bhavacakra (the wheel of life) which depicts the Art of Enlightenment. It is believed that Thangka paintings were developed over the centuries from the murals, of which only a few can be seen in the Ajanta caves in India and the Mogao caves in Gansu Province, Tibet. Thangkas are painted on cotton or silk applique and are usually small in size. The artist of these paintings is highly trained and has a proper understanding of Buddhist philosophy, knowledge, and background to create a realistic and bona fide painting.

The process of making a thangka begins with stitching a loosely woven cotton fabric onto a wooden frame. Traditionally, the canvas was prepared by coating it with gesso, chalk, and base pigment.

After this, the outline of the form of the deity is sketched with a pencil or charcoal onto the canvas using iconographic grids. The drawing process is followed in accordance with strict guidelines laid out in Buddhist scriptures. The systematic grid helps the artist to make a geometrical and professional painting. When the drawing of the figures is finalized and adjusted, it is then outlined with black ink.

Earlier, a special paint of different colors was made by mixing powdered forms of organic (vegetable) and mineral pigments in a water-soluble adhesive. Nowadays, artists use acrylic paints instead. The colors are now applied to the sketch using the wet and dry brush techniques. One of the characteristic features of a thangka is the use of vibrant colors such as red, blue, black, green, yellow, etc.

In the final step, pure gold is coated over some parts of the thangka to increase its beauty. Due to this beautification, thangkas are much more expensive and also stand out from other ordinary paintings.

Thangka paintings are generally kept unrolled when not on display on the wall. They also come with a frame, a silken cover in front, and a textile backing to protect the painting from getting damaged. Because Thangkas are delicate in nature, they are recommended to be kept in places with no excess moisture and where there is not much exposure to sunlight. This makes them last a long time without their colors fading away. Painting a thangka is an elaborate and complex process and requires excellent skills. A skilled artist can take up to 6 months to complete a detailed thangka painting. In earlier times, thangka painters were lamas that spent many years on Buddhist studies before they painted.