Himalayan Art Resources

Painting Set: Karma Kagyu Lineage (Set #31)

Three Painting Set Outline Page | Karma Kagyu Lineage Painting Sets | Karma Kagyu Painting Sets Outline

The three composition painting set (Outline Page) depicts the Karma Kagyu Mahamudra Lineage ending with the 14th Gyalwa Karmapa, Tegchog Dorje (1799-1869). The iconographic details in each painting are really fascinating. There are three Karmapas that hold jewels in the left hand.

The lineage begins in the central Marpa painting with the primordial Buddha Vajradhara at the top center. Directly above Milarepa is the Indian siddha Tilopa. Directly above Gampopa is Naropa. The lineage then descends through the Marpa composition then moving to the Milarepa painting and ends with the figures in the Gampopa composition.

At the lower center of the Marpa painting is a depiction of the 10th Shamar Mipam Chodrub Gyatso (1742-1792). At the lower center of the Milarepa composition is what appears to be a Tai Situ, possibly Chokyi Jungne. At the lower center of the Gampopa composition is the 5th Karmapa Deshin Shegpa (1384-1415).

Jeff Watt 7-2005 [updated 2-2017]