Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) – The “Lotus-Born”
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ABS 020
Code: ABS 020
Country: Tibet (central)
Style:
Date: 1500 - 1600
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 26.4 x 43.5 x 19.6
Materials: Brass
Padmasambhava – The “Lotus-Born” aka Guru Rinpoche
Padmasambhava, “the Lotus-Born,” is an essential and complex figure of Tibetan Buddhism. Worshipped by Tibetans as the establisher of Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century, he is regarded as the Second Buddha. Considered as the archetypal tantric master, he is also called Guru Rinpoche, the Precious master. Although a historical figure, his cult, especially with the Nyingma school which sees him as its founder, made him a supernatural, immortal character with multiple manifestations. Said to be from Oddiyana in the Swat Valley, he can be easily identified thank to his long hair and thin mustache.
This large imposing statue shows Padmasambhava under his most usual aspect. With long hair, he is dressed in royal garments, wearing boots and his famous lotus hat, topped with a vulture’s feather. His left hand holding a skull cup rests in his lap, and the right held in front of his heart holds a vajra. A now lost trident was resting in the crook of his left arm. His eyes and hat are inlaid with silver and his lips with red copper. His jewellery is inset with turquoises and lapis-lazuli.
Padmasambhava, “the Lotus-Born,” is an essential and complex figure of Tibetan Buddhism. Worshipped by Tibetans as the establisher of Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century, he is regarded as the Second Buddha. Considered as the archetypal tantric master, he is also called Guru Rinpoche, the Precious master. Although a historical figure, his cult, especially with the Nyingma school which sees him as its founder, made him a supernatural, immortal character with multiple manifestations. Said to be from Oddiyana in the Swat Valley, he can be easily identified thank to his long hair and thin mustache.
This large imposing statue shows Padmasambhava under his most usual aspect. With long hair, he is dressed in royal garments, wearing boots and his famous lotus hat, topped with a vulture’s feather. His left hand holding a skull cup rests in his lap, and the right held in front of his heart holds a vajra. A now lost trident was resting in the crook of his left arm. His eyes and hat are inlaid with silver and his lips with red copper. His jewellery is inset with turquoises and lapis-lazuli.