Item: Padmasambhava - Pure Land (Copper Coloured Mountain)

Padmasambhava and the Copper-coloured Mountain.

Standing on the proper right and left of Padmasambhava are Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal. Arranged to the sides are the Eight Manifestations of the teacher each representing an important event in the life of Padmasambhava.

Directly above the central figure on the upper floors of the palace are Chaturbhuja Lokeshvara along with orange Manjushri and blue Vajrapani. Directly above that is Amitabha Buddha.

At the lower levels, and in the four directions, are the Guardian Kings, standing before the three out of four visible doors. The mountain is surrounded by water and guarded by the demons of Raksha Island - where the Copper-coloured Mountain is located.

Somewhere off the coast of India there is a land know as Camara, possibly Sri Lanka, also known from ancient times as an island of demons. It is here that Padmasambhava is believed to reside and continue to teach the Dharma and make himself available to devotees - especially the 'Treasure Finders' of the Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. In the middle of the island is the Copper Coloured Mountain where Padmasambhava holds court within a large three-storied palace.

Jeff Watt 3-2016