Beautiful Buddha Shakyamuni Thangka
Buddha Shakyamuni (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Buddha Shakyamuni, Lama Tsongkhapa, Guru Rinpoche, Nagarjuna, Kalarupa, Six-Armed Mahakala, Guru Dorje Drolo and Dorje Shugden.
The historical Shakyamuni Buddha was the fourth Buddha in line of 1,000 to appear in this fortunate aeon. It is said only the first, second, third, fourth and last Buddhas will teach the extremely quick path of Tantra. Shakyamuni Buddha taught all three yanas of Buddhism in it’s entirety which not all Buddhas will do because of karma and circumstance of sentient beings. It is said those born during the time Shakyamuni’s sacred three yanas of Buddhism are existing are extremely fortunate. Born a prince and manifesting the 12 golden deeds of an enlightened being, his teachings has pervaded Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East and now the west.
It is said to see, hear or visualise Shakyamuni Buddha will plant the seeds of enlightenment in one’s mindstream. During the time of the historical Buddha, the King of Lanka (modern day Sri Lanka) desired to see Lord Buddha in person but it was not possible due to distance. Lord Buddha had an image made of himself and sent to the king and said whatever respect or worship performed to this image will equal to making offerings to the actual Buddha in person. From this sprung the tradition of depicting the historical Buddha in painting and sculpture.
Dorje Shugden is well-established by many high lamas of Sakya, Gelug, Kagyu and even Nyingma traditions to be an enlightened Dharma Protector. Thus, he can be regarded as a powerful Dharma Protector of the Buddha’s teachings although he arose specifically to protect Lama Tsongkhapa’s uncommon lineage of Nagarjuna’s Middle View that is the Buddha’s highest teaching on wisdom. That is why, he wears the round yellow hat because it represents this special lineage of Nagarjuna’s view.
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Shakyamuni Buddha is the name often given to the historical Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha is the most recent Buddha to appear in our world. This beautiful Buddha Shakyamuni Thangka paints a thousand words. Depicted together with Dorje Shugden a Dharma Protector of the Buddha’s teachings who arose to protect the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa’s uncommon lineage .
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.