065
Damchan, Dorje Legpa ("Converted Deity, Excellent Adamantine Scepter")
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
Size?
Indeterminate region
Ca. 17th or 18th century
Indeterminate style
Prior to Padmasambhava's arrival in Tibet, local deities such as Dorje Legpa prevented the propagation of Buddhism. Through his Tantric power, Padmasambhava subdued these spiritual beings and extracted from them a vow that promised their unending commitment to protect Buddhism. Dorje Legpa, seated on a goat is depictded in his abode, a circle of black mountains beneath storm clouds. Around him are seven fierce figures, possibly representing his 360 brothers. Across the top are yellow-capped monks of the Gelug sect.
Tom Suchan
Museum #: 97.280
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1069