Tradition: Nyingma Protectors
Nyingma Iconography & Religious ContextSubjects, Topics & Types:
- Description
- Outline Page
- Kama Protectors
- Treasure Protectors
- Three Treasure Protectors
- Protector Deities: Traditions & Schools
- Confusions
- Others...
Video: Nyingma Protectors
Maning Mahakala appears to be the preeminent protector of the Nyingma tradition but it is by no means clear as the tradition is anarchic and is very much teaching system and tantric cycle based. What is clear is that Maning Mahakala, Ekajati, Dorje Legpa and Rahula are the protector deities most commonly represented in painting and sculpture.
List of Protectors:
- Maning Mahakala
- Ekajati
- Dorje Legpa
- Rahula
- Legden Mahakala
- Danda Mahakala
- Chaturbhuja Mahakala
- Shri Devi
- Shanpa Marnag
- Drogdze Wangmo
- Others...
In painted compositions protector deities can be central figures or arranged as secondary figures in the composition. With early painting using a register composition style, as secondary figures the protectors will be located in the lowest or bottom register of the painting. The figures can be located centrally or placed at the far left or right side and often arranged as a group rather than separated. Floating figure composition follows the same general arrangement except with more distance between the three protector figures
Jeff Watt 10-2020
(The images below are only a selection of examples).
