Himalayan Art Resources

Teacher: Machig Labdron Main Page

Machig Labdron Masterworks

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Outline Page
- Biography
- Iconography
--- Seated
--- Standing
--- Life Story: HAR #349, 717
--- Refuge Field
--- Machig (Palpung Style Painting)
- Zhije & Chod Main Page
- Padampa Sanggye
- Teachers Holding Drums
- Confusions (below)
- Others...

Videos:
- Machig Labdron
- Teachers That Hold A Drum
- Female Teachers Holding Drums

Machig Labdron (1055-1153), 'the One Mother:' founder of the Chod 'Cutting' Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. She is typically white in colour with the right hand holding upraised and double sided drum (damaru) and the left a bell turned with the opening facing upward. There are two main appearances that she can take. The first is as a deity, wearing the ornaments and garments of a peaceful goddess, standing in a dancing posture with the left leg down. The second common form is seated and with or without elaborate jewelry and heavenly garments.

It is easy to mistake Machig for several other female figures such as Buddha Dakini/Five Dakini, Sukhasiddhi, Niguma, Yeshe Tsogyal, and Dechen Gyalmo. Some can be distinguished by colour in paintings however it is more difficult to differentiate in sculpture.

Ma chig lab dron

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Jeff Watt [updated 5-2017]

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