In the appearance of a mahasiddha of old he is adorned with a crown of five skulls and gold, jewel and bone ornaments, various silk scarves and a tiger skin skirt. In the right hand he holds aloft a vajra handled sword for severing ignorance and in the left a nectar filled skullcup held in the lap. Against the left shoulder rests a katvanga staff with various silk pendants. Seated atop a human skin above a moon disc and multi-coloured lotus, he is supported by an elaborate ornate backrest covered with silk brocades.

At the top center is Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, wearing a lotus hat, holding a vajra in the right hand extended across the knee and a skullcup in the left; seated in a relaxed posture. At the left is the omniscient Longchenpa (1308-1363) with both hands performing the earth witness mudra (gesture) while holding the stems of two lotus blossoms supporting a sword and book; wearing the robes of a monk and a red pandita hat. At the right is the Vidyadhara Jigme Lingpa (1730-1798) with the right hand extended in the mudra of generosity and holding the stem of a lotus supporting a sword. The left hand presses against the seat supporting the body while holding the stem of a lotus and book. He is attired in the dress of a layman with a white outer robe and long hair tied up on the top of the head.

At the bottom center is a tutelary deity, Heruka, from the Eight Sadhana Sections, wrathful, with three faces and six hands, embracing the consort; surrounded by flames. At the left is Vajrayogini (Tibetan: dor je nal jor ma), red, holding a damaru drum in the upraised right hand and a curved knife held at the left hip; adorned with a garland of flowers. At the right is the wrathful protector of the Revealed Treasures (Terma), Ekajati (Tib.: ral chig ma), dark blue in colour, with one plait of hair, one eye and one tooth, holding aloft a heart in the right hand and an animal in the left; surrounded by flames.

These lamas and deities belong to the lineage and practice of the Longchen Nyingthig Revealed Treasure tradition.

Jeff Watt 10-98