Unknown
Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche, 8th century)15th-16th century

Not on view

Bronze sculpture of a seated cross-legged figure on a lotus throne, wearing a stepped crown set with turquoise stones, hands holding ritual objects

Bronze sculpture viewed from the back, a seated figure in meditation posture wearing an ornate ceremonial hat with hanging ribbons, robes with finely incised scrolling patterns, set on a double-lotus pedestal with petal reliefs, with greenish patina throughout.

Close-up detail of a gilt bronze figure, showing robes with finely engraved cloud and dot patterns across raised, lobed folds; warm golden surface with dark patina in recessed areas.

Close-up detail of a gilt bronze figure, showing a hand resting in the lap over draped robes with finely incised scroll and floral patterns across the fabric surface.

Close-up detail of a gilt bronze Tibetan Buddhist sculpture, showing hands in a mudra gesture holding a vajra, with robes decorated in finely incised scroll and cloud patterns.

Bronze sculpture, rear view of a deity figure's head and upper back, wearing a five-paneled crown with incised lotus and scrolling floral patterns, finely ridged hair gathered beneath, with ornate ear pendants and engraved collar visible; warm golden-brown patina throughout.

Artist or Maker: Unknown
Title: Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche, 8th century)
Place Made: Central Tibet, Tsang Valley
Date Made: 15th-16th century
Medium: Copper alloy with incised decoration, inlaid with silver and turquoise, and traces of red devotional paint
Dimensions: 9 1/2 x 7 x 4 1/4 in. (24.13 x 17.78 x 10.8 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of the James and Paula Coburn Foundation
Accession Number: M.2005.154.7
Classification: Sculpture
Collecting Area: South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes: Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche [Precious Teacher]) was a Buddhist master from Uddayana (modern Udiana) in the Swat Valley of Pakistan. He founded Tibet’s first monastery, the Samye Monastery near Lhasa, which was built between 787 and 791. According to the Blue Annals (completed in 1476), he was summoned to Samye to quell local spirits who were thwarting the new faith. Through awesome demonstrations of his powers, he subdued these gods and drew them into the service of Buddhism.

Padmasambhava is typically depicted with a distinctive peaked lotus hat, reflective of Gandharan origins, and wearing a monk’s robe. He holds a thunderbolt (vajra) and a ritual skull cup (kapala). He sits in the meditation posture (padma asana) on a lotus base. Here, his robe and hat are adorned with elegantly incised clouds, lotus blossoms, and Buddhist symbols.

See also M.81.183.1, M.83.218.3, M.86.281, M.86.338.1, AC1994.117.2, and AC1997.244.1.
Selected Bibliography: Little, Stephen, Tushara Bindu Gude, Karina Romero Blanco, Silvia Seligson, Marco Antonio Karam. Las Huellas de Buda. Ciudad de México : Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, 2018.
Little, Stephen, and Tushara Bindu Gude. Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art across Asia. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2025.

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