An old Thangka (sacred scroll-painting) from Tibet – the delicacy of the painting suggests that it may have been painted by a Nepalese artist (monk).
This Thangka depicts Padmasambhava, the Indian itinerant preacher and founder of religion, religious orders and monasteries: According to legend, Padmasambhava (the ‘lotus-born', also known as ‘guru Rinpoche', or the 'precious teacher') appeared on a lotus flower in Lake 'Dhanakosha' in Northern India (today's North Pakistan) in the 8th Century CE. Despite having inherited a small kingdom – similar to the Gautama Buddha himself – he chose the life of an itinerant monk. The 38th King of Tibet, Trisong Detse (742-797 CE) invited Padmasambhava to Tibet as a Buddhist champion against the old Shamanist Bön religion and its gods. He succeeded in reconciling local religious beliefs with the teachings of Buddhism, giving rise to Tibetan Lamaism. Legends also state that Padmasambhava himself founded both the first Tibetan monastic order, the ‘Nyingmapa’ school, and the Samye monastery for that purpose.
He subsequently flew to Bhutan on the back of a she-tiger, where he continues to be venerated to this day. He is credited with founding the Taktshang Monastery ('tiger's nest) there. So much for some of the legends surrounding ‘guru Rinpoche' who continues to enjoy considerable popularity in the Himalayas region. Our Thangka is a classic canonical depiction of Padmasambhava:
The lotus-born is seated on a cloud atop blossoming lotus plants in a lake (following the legend of his birth). In his right hand he holds the ritual implement ‘dorje' ('diamond-sceptre'), in his left a ‘kapala' (skull-bowl), containing the vessel with the ‘elixir of eternal life’. A long magical lance rests against his left shoulder, surmounted by a dorje and a blazing trident.
The large, central figure of Padmasambhava is surrounded by a plain halo and aureole. On the outside, a highly detailed and intricately painted world of Lamaist protective deities, Buddha depictions and scenes from the legendary, mythical life of ‘guru Rimpoche’ unfolds itself.
This is an exceptional example of Tibetan religious painting. It is bordered with an old, partly frayed silk border, printed with blossoms on a reddish brown background. The dark seam between picture and border was apparently repaired at a later date. The painting is damaged due to age (small cracks and holes), one pasted crack (on the back) and age-related stains.
18th, early 19th century; dimensions: 102 x 70 cm (image only). (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.