Himalayan Art Resources

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Five "Tsen" Protectors - Added

These five Tibetan worldly protectors belonging to the 'Tsen' classification have been grouped together because they each look almost identical in appearance. There is no traditional Tibetan grouping for these figures except with Dorje Setrab and Tsiu Marpo joined by Dorje Shugden. They are known collectively, within the Sakya Tradition only, as the 'Three Kings'.


The two, Kache Marpo and Yamshu Marpo, are typically depicted as minor figures, not central and larger, in a composition. Kache Marpo was popularized by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Yamshu Marpo has more commonly been associated as a retinue figure in the entourage of Tsiu Marpo.