013
The Teacher, Padmasambhava ("Lotus-Born") Generating His Refuge
Field
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
Size?
Indeterminate region
Ca. 18th or 19th century
Indeterminate style
Every day, initiates meditate on the refuge tree to remind themselves of
their teaching lineage. Byvisualizing their immediate teacher dissolving
into, and becoming identical with, Padmasambhava, the meditators realize
that their teacher and Padmasabhava are one. Above Padmasambhava, who is
shown in union with his consort, are his lineage deities and teachers. The
tree beneath Padmasambhava bears fruit in the form of the deities of his
teachings. Behind him is a stack of books commemorating his teachings. The
large figure to the left of the tree is Rahula, a protector of the Nyingma
sect.
Ariana Maki
Refuge Field of Padmasambhava Essay
Museum #: 97.267
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1003