The Sakya school is one of four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the others being the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Gelug. It is one of the Red Hat Orders along with the Nyingma and Kagyu.
The Sakya tradition developed during the second period of translation of Buddhist scripture from Sanskrit into Tibetan in the late 11th century. It was founded by Drogmi, a famous scholar and translator who had studied at the Vikramashila directly under Naropa, Ratnākaraśānti, Vagishvakirti and other great panditas from India for twelve years.
This thangka of the »Sakya Gongma Nga« shows the »Five Great Sakya Hierarchs« [or »Five Venerable Masters«], all of whom lived in the 12th and 13th centuries. Virupa is also depicted in the upper centre.
| 1. | Sachen Künga Nyingpo is one of the »five venerable masters« who brought the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism to its full flowering. In addition to Sachen Künga Nyingpo, these »five masters« include Sönam Tsemo, Dragpa Gyeltshen, Sakya Pandita Künga Gyeltshen, Virupa and Chögyel Phagpay. |
| 2. | Sönam Tsemo was the son of Sachen Künga Nyingpo, who created the doctrinal structure of the Sakya tradition. He became his father's disciple and received all the teachings of the Sakya school from him. He is said to have fully realised them at an early age. He later travelled to central Tibet and studied for many years with the masters of the ancient Kadam school, particularly in logic and »supreme transcendent wisdom« [Prajnaparamita]. On his return he devoted himself to his duties as the 4th Sakya Thridzin [holder of the Sakya throne] as well as to meditation and teaching. |
| 3. | Dragpa Gyeltshen was a great meditation master and his teaching skills contributed greatly to the spread of the Sakya tradition in Tibet. Dragpa Gyeltshen is famous for the teachings on »freedom from the four attachments«, which he is said to have received in a vision from the Bodhisattva Manjushri. He is also said to have prophesied in a vision that his nephew Sakya Pandita would one day teach in Mongolia. |
| 4. | Sakya Pandita was a disciple of many teachers, including the fifth Sakya Thridzin [holder of the Sakya throne] Dragpa Gyeltshen and the scholar Shakya Shri Bhadra [1127-1225] of Kashmir. He became known as one of the greatest scholars of his time and is considered one of the greatest scholars of Tibetan Buddhism. Together with the Indian scholar Shakya Shri Bhadra, he translated important texts on logic, which became a standard work on the subject in the »new schools of Buddhism in Tibet« [Sarma]. His explanations of »supreme vision« in the context of the Sakya teachings are also of great importance. |
| 5. | Chögyel Phagpa was the most important political figure of the Sakya school. He was the viceroy of Tibet until the end of his life after the death of his predecessor and uncle Sakya Pandita in 1251. |
| 6. | Virupa was an 8th - 9th century Indian mahasiddha and yogi, and the source of important cycles of teachings in tantric Buddhism. He is especially known as the source of the Lamdré system held by the Sakya school and is thus seen as the Indian founder of their lineage. A series of verses called the Vajra verses, which are pith instructions on the Hevajra tantra, are also attributed to him. |
| Additional explanations about this painting |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurements: | 13.8 x 18.5" | 35 x 47 cm |
| Price: | 1545 $ | 1500 € |
| Shipment: | Parcel Service from Nepal |
| Color: | Farbige Version |
| Material: | Natural Stone Colors |
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