Himalayan Art Resources

Subject: Guruyoga Iconography Page

Guruyoga Outline Page

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Guruyoga Explanation (below)
- Guruyoga Outline Page
- Guru (Teacher) Main Page
- Buddhist Iconography Main Page
- Uncommon Foundations Main Page
- Confusions
- Others...

Video: Guruyoga & Art

Historical:
- Shakyamuni Buddha

Deity Forms:
- Five Symbolic Buddhas
- Vajradhara
- Hevajra, Chakrasamvara, Kalachakra, etc.
- Manjushri, Lokeshvara, Vajrapani, Tara, etc.

Human Figures:
- Padmasambhava
- Eighty-four Mahasiddhas
- Yutog Yontan Gonpo, Padampa Sanggye, Sakya Pandita, Marpa, Milarepa, Karma Pakshi, Karmapa (general), Sukhasiddhi, Tsongkapa, Jatson Nyingpo, Wangdu Nyingpo, Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje, Khyentse Wangpo, Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, etc.


Guruyoga: in Tantric Buddhism, a meditation and devotional practice focusing on the spiritual teacher (guru) in an idealized form. These forms can be based on accepted traditional images or on revelation experiences of previous spiritual leaders. Paintings and sculpture depicting forms of idealized teachers are commonplace in Himalayan art.

There are three main types of Guru and Guruyoga depiction based on the visual subject: [1] Buddha, [2] Deity, and [3] Human Figure. The Buddha forms used for guruyoga are usually those of Vajradhara and the Five Symbolic Buddhas. Vajradhara is of significant importance. Each of the major meditational deities has a a corresponding guruyoga practice. The most unique forms of guruyoga are those based on the human figures of teachers with all of their special characteristics and iconographic nuances.

Jeff Watt 11-2005 [updated 8-2013, 6-2017]