Item: King - Trisong Detsen
| Origin Location | Central Tibet |
|---|---|
| Date Range | 1800 - 1899 |
| Lineages | Uncertain |
| Size | 88.90x69.85cm (35x27.50in) |
| Material | Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton |
| Collection | Rubin Museum of Art |
| Catalogue # | acc.# P1998.22.7 |
Classification: Person
Appearance: King
Gender: Male
Trisong Detsen (740-798): the Tibetan King that firmly established Buddhism in Tibet, emanation of the bodhisattva Manjushri, having invited Padmasambhava from India, and built the first monastery - Samye Chokor Ling. The wisdom sword and book are supported atop two lotus blossoms.
At the bottom left is King Songtsen Gampo (618-650), emanation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, with the crown of the headdress adorned with the red face of Buddha Amitabha. Held in the right hand is the stem of a pink lotus blossoming above the shoulder.
At the bottom right is King Ralpachen (815-836), emanation of the bodhisattva Vajrapani, holding the stem of a lotus supporting a gold vajra scepter.
These three are known as the three Dharma Kings and each holds, or has in front, a golden Dharma wheel symbolizing the teachings of Buddhism.
Jeff Watt 7-2001
Iconography: Eleven Figurative Forms Page
Thematic Sets
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Painting Gallery 8
Kings: Main Page & King Appearance
King: Trisong Detsen (Tibet)
Subject: Abbot, Acharya and Dharma [King]
Kings: Tibetan Kings Main Page
Tibet: Samye Monastery Main Page