016
The Third Karmapa Lama, Rangjung Dorje (1284-1338)
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
15.5 x 22.5 inches
Southeastern Tibet?
Ca. 17th century
Indeterminate style
This painting shows a crossover between the teaching lineages of the Kagyu
and Nyingma schools.
The Karmapa Lamas are the leaders of the Kagyu
sect. The third Karmapa Lama, Rangjung Dorje, was a disciple of Nyingma
Kumaradza. The latter taught Rangjung Dorje the nying-thig, "heart-essence,"
teachings transmitted by Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra. Therefore, Rangjung
Dorje belongs to the nying-thig lineage of the Nyingma school. As a group,
the Karmapa Lamas were among the earliest recognized Tulku, or lamas reincarnated
as deities or lineage of deceased teachers. They were particularly influential
at the Yuan and Ming courts of China.
Tom Suchan
Museum #: 92.048
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1006