EASTERN TIBET, 18TH CENTURY

The present work depicts four of the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava, the founder of Buddhism in Tibet. The manifestations represent important moments in the life story of Padmasambhava, where he took on different appearances to overcome obstacles. In the top left corner sits Pema Jungne, wearing a red pandita hat and the robes of a monk, holding a kapala in his right hand. A Tibetan king, either Pema Gyalpo or Loden Chogse, is seated at top right, wearing a turban and holding a damaru (drum) in each hand. In the bottom left, Shakya Sengge, the Buddha appearance of Padmasambhava, sits on a lotus base holding an alms bowl in his left hand and a vajra in the right. The wrathful Dorje Drolo is depicted in the lower right, standing on a tiger holding a vajra in his left hand and a kila in his right. Given that only four of the eight manifestations are depicted, it is likely the present work belonged to a larger set of paintings, with other works depicting the other four manifestations and likely an image of Padmasambhava in his typical appearance.