M. Mokotoff 3-98

SADBHUJA SITA MAHAKALA, (Tibetan: gon po kar po chag drug pa, English: the White Lord with Six Hands). Emanation of Avalokiteshvara and principal wealth deity of the Shangpa Kagyu School.

White in colour with on face, he has three glaring eyes, a gaping mouth with bared fangs, orange hair flaming upward and six hands. In the three right hands are a curved knife, wish-fulfilling jewel and a damaru (drum). In the left hands are a skullcup containing a vase filled with various jewels, a trident and a vajra hook. Adorned with a crown of jewels and gold, precious ornaments and green silk he stands with the two legs straight atop two figures of elephant-headed Ganesh, spewing jewels, above a sun disc and lotus seat surrounded by the red and gold flames of pristine awareness. Encircled by the 'Five Power-Gathering Dakinis' of various colours, they hold in the right hands a hook and a wishing-jewel in the left.

Seated directly above is the Buddha Vajradhara, blue in colour, with one face and two hands. In this form he holds to the heart a jewel in the right and a mongoose in the lap with the left. Seated at the top right the mahasiddha Shavaripa, the first human lineage holder for the system of Sadbhuja Mahakala. Below is a lama wearing robes a red pandita hat. On the left side is another pandita holding a book and seated below is a Gelugpa Lama - possibly the second Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gendun Gyatso, who popularized the Shangpa Tradition within the Gelugpa School.

At the bottom left is the main form of the wrathful protector Sadbhuja Mahakala, black, with one face and six hands. Wrathful offerings are arranged in front. At the right is the protector goddess Magzor Gyalmo, black, with one face and two hands, riding a mule. She is the wrathful emanation of the goddess Sarasvati and the special protector to the Dalai Lamas.

White Mahakala, a wealth deity of the Kriya class of Tantra, satisfies the economic needs of Tantric Buddhists. This is a Gelugpa example of a deity that has become popular with all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The painting is rich with detail and colour executed on a black background almost lost in the opulence, splendour and array of colours.

J.Watt 5-98