Tsongkapa as Mahasiddha
Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Single Composition w/ 84 Mahasiddhas
- Siddha Appearance
- Systems of Mahasiddhas
- Painting Set
- Masterworks
- Confusions: Dombi Heruka
- Others...
Videos:
- Tsongkapa & the 84 Mahasiddhas
- Dombi Heruka Confusions
Tsongkapa in the form of a mahasiddha (Indian Adept) is based on a series of five visions experienced by his disciple Kedrub Geleg Pal Zangpo (1385-1438). Kedrub was the 2nd of the two heart sons of Lama Tsongkapa.
As a sub-theme of the Five Forms of Tsongkapa, the mahasiddha form is sometimes depicted as the central figure of a composition accompanied by smaller figures of the Eighty-four Mahasiddhas.
Two of the HAR images below belong to sets likely depicting the other forms from the five forms of Tsongkapa: HAR #65347, 77237. Three of the remaining paintings appear to have all been created based on a single model. Two of these are HAR #74042 and 90748. All of the individual compositions and sets of paintings identified thus far depict the Eighty-four Mahasiddhas according to the Vajrasana System.
Jeff Watt [updated 1-2019]