Tegchog Dorje, the 14th Karmapa, (1798-1868): teacher to the founders of the Rime Movement.

Kar ma pa Biographical Details

Gazing forward with the eyes slightly lowered, the hands firmly placed in the mudra of meditation in the lap he holds a golden long-life vase topped with a pink flower blossom. Above the head he wears the black vajra crown, spiritually present and physically replicated as a gift by the Chinese Emperor Yung Lo to the 5th Karmapa Deshin Shegpa. Wearing the orange and red patchwork robes of a fully ordained monk and covered with a meditation cloak he sits on a low cushioned seat atop a throne with an ornate backrest decorated with wishing jewels. The personal religious objects of a water flask, vajra, bell and damaru drum sit on a small table in front. A collection of variously coloured wishing jewels and precious objects are presented neatly in front as an auspicious offering.

Tegchog Dorje, a Khampa by birth, was involved in the Rime (eclectic) movement of the 19th century, begun in the Kham region of Tibet. He was a teacher to three of the central pillars of the movement, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye (1813-1899), Jamyang Kyentse Wangpo (1820-1892) and Chogyur Lingpa (1829-1870).

Jeff Watt 2-99