Artwork Details

Title
Padmasambhava and scenes from his life story
Dimensions
68 × 42 × 5/8 in.
Medium
Pigments on cloth
Origin
Kham Province, Eastern Tibet
Classification(s)
paintings scroll painting
Date
18th - 19th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
Object number
C2003.49.11
HAR Number
65273
Published references
* "Wizard. Tantric Master. Guru." Spiral, March (2018): 7.

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Storytelling

Concepts

A vehicle for the preservation and transmission of knowledge. The Buddha’s teachings were originally passed down through oral transmission and storytelling, and stories of the Buddha’s past lives are considered an important source of inspiration and guidance.

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Devotion

Concepts

A virtuous feeling and deep respect toward an authentic teaching, teacher, or path. Buddhists believe that expansive study, analysis, and meditation are essential steps for cultivating a healthy and enduring devotion.

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Legendary and Historical Humans

Figure Type

Himalayan art includes portraits of legendary and historical humans, including accomplished religious teachers (lamas), the Buddha’s original disciples (arhats), and spiritually accomplished tantric masters (mahasiddhas).

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Tibetan Regions

Region

Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.

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