Item: Padmasambhava - (Life Story)

Although it is unclear which biography of Padmasambhava this painting bases its iconography on, there are several interesting scenes.

In the bottom center, there is a red Padmasambhava who appears to be helping a dying person with phowa practice, a rainbow emanates from the person's head and transforms into Amitabha Buddha, symbolising being reborn into Amitabha's Sukhavati pure land.

In the middle left, there is a blue Padmasambhava acting as a healing deity (Orgyen Menla) next to Bhaisajyaguru the Medicine Buddha, and a yellow Padmasambhava acting as a wealth deity (Orgyen Norlha) next to yellow Jambhala.

In the top left corner in the sky, possibly a red wrathful form of Padmasambhava emanates Rahula, who then shoots an arrow or rains down harm upon an enemy soldier below.

Nick Dharmadi 8-2026