014
The Teacher, Padmasambhava ("Lotus-Born") in His Copper Mountain
Paradise
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
35.0 x 50.0 inches
Central Tibet
Ca. 18th century Indeterminate style
Eight forms of Padmasambhava are depicted in his heaven realm, the Copper
Mountain Paradise, where inhabitants listen to him teach sutras and perform
initiations. Padmasambhava is located at the center of his five-story palace.
The upper story is inhabited by the five jina Buddhas who define his enlightenment.
The lower right corner reveals a recently-reborn man on horseback approaching
the palace walls that are marked by four gates, each protected by one of
the four guardian kings.
Ariana Maki
Padmasambhava's Copper Mountain Paradise Essay
Musuem #: 95.006
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1004