- Title
- Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche, 8th century)
- Date Made
- 16th century
- Medium
- Brass with traces of gilding
- Dimensions
- 5 3/4 x 3 3/4 x 2 1/2 in. (14.6 x 9.52 x 6.35 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.81.183.1
- 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 depicted with his distinctive peaked lotus hat, reflective of Gandharan origins, and wearing a monk’s outer robe (sanghati) with a floral border. He is characteristically scowling to convey his fierce determination in overcoming obstacles and ignorance. He holds a thunderbolt (vajra) in his right hand and a ritual skull cup (kapala) in his left hand. A ritual staff (khatvanga) rests in the crook of his left arm. He sits in the meditation posture (padma asana) on a lotus base.
See also M.83.218.3, M.86.281, M.86.338.1, AC1994.117.2, AC1997.244.1, and M.2005.154.7.
- Selected Bibliography
- Pal, Pratapaditya. Art of Tibet. Los Angeles; Berkeley, CA: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1983.
- McArthur, Meher. Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols. London: Thames & Hudson, 2002.
- Reedy, Chandra L. Himalayan Bronzes: Technology, Style and Choices. Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1997.
- Pal, Pratapaditya. Art of Tibet. Expanded edition. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1990.