Himalayan Art Resources

Kings: Shambhala Kings Main Page

Shambhala Kings Masterworks

Art History

Iconography

Religious Context


Videos:
- Shambhala Kings & Vidyadharas
- Shambhala Pureland
- Kings in Himalayan Art: Part 1
- Kings in Himalayan Art: Part 2
- Shambhala Kings (MFA Boston)

The Shambhala Kings are related to the meditational system of Kalachakra and the background myth surrounding its early creation and continuing influence in Tantric Buddhism. In early painted works the kings are depicted in King Appearance following standard Himalayan and Tibetan iconography. In later times, possibly based on the preferences of the Jonang tradition, the individual kings became associated with particular bodhisattva and deity figures taking on their appearance and attributes.

Two Types of Shambhala King Appearance:
- King Appearance Iconography
- Deity Iconography

Database Search: All Images

Jeff Watt 4-2007 [updated 3-2020]

(The images below are only a selection of examples from the links above).