Material: cloth. embroidery. scroll. (Guru Rinpoche's Refuge)

Size: about 122 x 83 cm

Description:

The meaning and origin of the thangka "Guru Rinpoche's Refuge"

I. Introduction to Thangka

Thangka (Tibetan: ཐང་ཀ་, thang-ka) is a religious scroll painting in Tibetan Buddhism that is painted or embroidered on cloth or paper. It originated in the Tubo period (about the 7th century) and is easy to carry, collect and hang. Thangka has a wide range of themes, often depicting Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, guardian gods, ancestors or mandalas, etc. It is known as the "Encyclopedia of Tibet". Its painting process is complicated, using mineral pigments and gold foil, with bright colors and long-lasting, and it needs to be consecrated and blessed to be complete. In Tibetan Buddhism, Thangka is not only a work of art, but also a tool for practice and preaching, with the functions of blessing, visualization and teaching.

2. The Origin of Guru Padmasambhava's Refuge Realm**

"Guru Padmasambhava's Refuge Realm" is a thangka with Padmasambhava (Padmasambhava, Tibetan for "Padmasambhava" or "Guru Rinpoche") as the central theme, especially in the Nyingma school (the pre-translation school of Tibetan Buddhism). The following is its origin and background:

1. **The History and Legend of Padmasambhava**

Padmasambhava was a master of Tantric Buddhism at Nalanda Monastery in India in the 8th century. He entered Tibet at the request of King Trisong Detsen and Shantarakshita, founded the Tibetan Buddhist monastic community, and spread the teachings of Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism). He is regarded as the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, and the Nyingma school reveres him as the main deity of the Refuge Realm, with a status equivalent to the "Second Buddha". According to legend, Padmasambhava was born on a lotus and has the characteristics of a sacred incarnation. He is considered to be the incarnation of the body, speech, and mind of Amitabha, Avalokitesvara, and Sakyamuni Buddha.

2. The religious function of the refuge realm

The refuge realm (Tibetan: tshogs zhing) is a special form of thangka in Tibetan Buddhism, depicting the objects of the practitioner's refuge, including the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and the deity, Dharma protector, etc. The refuge realm of Guru Padmasambhava is centered on Padmasambhava, symbolizing the practitioner's complete reliance on Guru Padmasambhava and his lineage. This thangka is often used in visualization practice to help practitioners focus on Guru Padmasambhava's image and teachings, thereby generating the blessing of enlightenment in their hearts.

3. **The origin of thangka and the development of the refuge realm of Guru Padmasambhava**

The origin of thangka can be traced back to the Tubo period, which is related to the introduction of Buddhism from India to Tibet. Scholars believe that thangka may have been influenced by Indian "Bodhi" cloth paintings or Central Plains scroll paintings. The thangka form of the refuge realm of Guru Padmasambhava is closely related to the teachings of the Nyingma school, especially in the termal tradition passed down by Padmasambhava, where this type of thangka was used to record and spread its secret teachings. With the development of Nyingma in Tibet, the Guru Rinpoche Refuge has become an important religious art form, especially in thangka production centers such as Rekong, Qinghai and Taer Monastery.

III. The significance of the Guru Rinpoche Refuge**

The Guru Rinpoche Refuge thangka has multiple meanings in religion, art and culture:

1. **Religious significance**

- **Refuge and blessing**: The Guru Rinpoche Refuge is a symbol of the practitioner's refuge in Padmasambhava and his lineage. The Guru Rinpoche in the thangka is often depicted as wearing robes, holding a vajra and a skull, wearing a lotus hat, accompanied by his two major followers (Yeshe Tsogyal and Mandarava) on the left and right, surrounded by guardian gods and ancestors of all generations. By visualizing this picture, practitioners pray for the blessing of Guru Rinpoche, eliminate their inner greed, hatred and ignorance, and gain wisdom and enlightenment.

- **Secret inheritance**: Guru Rinpoche is the founder of the Nyingma secret law. The refuge thangka records the complete system of his teachings and inheritance, helping practitioners understand the practice sequence of Tantra.

- **Pure Land Symbol**: The background of thangkas often depicts the Pure Land of Guru Rinpoche (such as the Pure Land of Copper-colored Mountain), which guides the practitioner to yearn for it and inspires the motivation for practice.

2. **Artistic Significance**

- **Composition and Symbol**: The composition of Guru Rinpoche's Refuge Realm follows the strict norms of Tibetan Buddhism. The main Guru Rinpoche is located in the center of the picture, and the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Dharma Protectors and Patriarchs related to him are arranged clockwise around him, forming a complete mandala layout. The picture is not restricted by perspective and time and space, and the colors are mainly red, gold and blue, symbolizing sacredness and solemnity.

- **Regional Characteristics**: The thangkas of Guru Rinpoche's Refuge Realm in Rekong, Qinghai often feature emerald green backgrounds, incorporating elements such as Qinghai Lake and peony flowers to show local style.

3. **Cultural Significance**

- **Tibetan Encyclopedia**: The thangkas of Guru Rinpoche's Refuge Realm cover the doctrines, history and myths of Tibetan Buddhism, reflecting the core values ​​and spiritual pursuits of Tibetan culture.

- **Nomadic life**: The scroll form of thangka is adapted to the nomadic life of Tibetans, which is easy to carry and hang, so that the teachings of Guru Rinpoche can be spread in the vast Tibetan area.

**Fourth, typical characteristics and painting techniques**

- **Image characteristics**: Guru Rinpoche is often presented in a wrathful or peaceful state, holding a ritual instrument, sitting on a lotus seat, with mountains, clouds or pure land scenes painted in the background. Thangkas may contain Buddhist symbols such as the six realms of reincarnation and the eight auspicious signs.

- **Painting process**: The production of Guru Rinpoche's Refuge Thangka must follow the proportion specifications of the "Measures Sutra", use natural mineral pigments (such as cinnabar, lapis lazuli) and gold foil, and go through canvas processing, composition, coloring, outlining, and opening, which takes months to years.

**Five, Conclusion**

The Guru Rinpoche's Refuge Thangka is the core religious art of the Nyingma school, carrying the teachings of Guru Rinpoche and the practice concepts of Tibetan Buddhism. Its origin is closely related to Guru Rinpoche's entry into Tibet and the development of the Nyingma school in the 8th century, and it symbolizes the practitioner's conversion to the Three Jewels and the ancestors. As the crystallization of religion and art, this type of thangka is not only an auxiliary tool for practice, but also an important heritage of Tibetan culture, reflecting the wisdom and aesthetics of Tibetan Buddhism.