Thangkas

001 16th Karmapa

The 16th Karmapa played a pivotal role in bringing the teaching of Buddhism to the West. The teacher of Lama Ole and Hannah Nydahl was well known for his powerfully built body and his charisma. Stories are told about his roaring laughter, his unending good humour and his omniscience. Up till his death in 1981 in the USA he spent every minute of his life working for the good of all beings.

002 2nd Karmapa

Karma Pakshi is one of the most powerful embodiments in the lineage of the Karmapas, and also the first conciously reincarnated lama of the Tibetan Buddhism. He is painted with dark skin and a black goatee. During his age, he was invited to the Chinese Emperor s court whare he acted as a paerceptro to the Emperor. He displayed man miracles during his stay and aslo rebuilt the famous monastery, Tsurphu of the 1st Karmapa.

003 Wisdom Buddha

Skr. Manjushri Tib. Jampelyang The Buddha of intelligence and wisdom is orange coloured. In his right hand he has a flaming sword symbolising wisdom cutting all ignorance and false views. In his left hand he holds a lotus flower with the book of highest wisdom laying on it. Meditating on this buddha form and reciting his mantra will increase our intelligence.

004 Radiant Goddess

Skr. Shri Devi Tib. Palden Lhamo This wisdomprotectress is invocated in all four Tibetan Buddhist lineages. She is the partner of Black Coat (Tib. Bernakchen). She has four arms holding a khatvanga in her upper right hand (removing hindrances caused by the three mental poisons), a phurba in the lower right (to conquer all hindrances), a mirror in the upper left one (showing the three worlds) and a snake lasso in the lower left one (to overcome negative imprints caused by anger). She is the keeper of vows and protector of the Buddhist practitioners.

005 Black Coat

Skr. Mahakala Tib. Bernakchen Main protector of the Karma Kagyu lineage. He is a black, frightening buddhaform symbolizing the protecting compassion. He holds a chopping knife in his right hand cutting all hindrances. In his left had he has a skull bowl containing the blood of the ego. Invocating him regularily, helps to remove all inner and outer hindrances standing in the way to reach enlightenment.

006 Garuda
Skr. Garuda Tib. Khyung In Buddhist mythology the Garuda is a huge, intelligent bird living in societies, having kings and cities in the lower realm of the gods. He is the enemy of the reptile like creatures called nagas. As a "space eagle" he embodies enlightenment.

007 Diamond Sow

Skr. Vajravarahi Tib. Dorje Phagmo This female form represents the wisdom of all buddhas. She is red and standing in dancing posture. There is a chopping knife in her right hand, which cuts pettiness. She holds a skull bowl in her left hand containing the nectar of liberation. Dorje Phagmo is the partner of Highest Bliss (skr. Chakrasamvara). They together are the main yidams of the Karma Kagyu lineage. By meditating on her, we can reach the highest wisdom (tib.yeshe).

008 Diamondmind
Skr. Vajrasattva Tib. Dorje Sempa A white Buddha, representing the united purifying energy of all buddhas. On heart level, he holds a dorje in his right hand, and a bell in the left hand, resting on his hip. A gentle and peaceful buddha aspect. By meditating on him, we can free our mind from the negative imprints. He is especially effective against anger, the most harmful of all disturbing emotions.

009 Medicine Buddha

Skr. Besajyaguru Tib. Sangye Menla This Buddha is blue wearing no ornaments. In his right hand, he is showing the mudra of generosity and holding a mirobalan plant, the universal remedy of all illnesses. In his left, he has a bowl filled with nectar. Meditating on him does not only cure the diseases, but removes all their causes, the Three Mental Poisons - attachment, aversion and ignorance.

010 Limitless Life

Skr. Amitayus Tib. Tsepame The Buddha of long life and health. He is the emanation of the Buddha of Limitless Light (skr. Amitabha). His body is red as blood. He is sitting in meditation posture with a vase in his hands, containing the nectar of long life. Meditating on him can prolong our life.

011 Limitless Light

Skr. Amitabha Tib. pame The ruby-red Buddha of distinguishing wisdom, which is the transformation of attachment. His hands rest in his lap, holding the nectar of highest fulfilment. He has a pure land, a buddhafield called Devachen ("Joyful land"). Everybody can be reborn there through the power of their wishes.

012 Highest Bliss

Skr. Chakrasamvara Tib. Korlo Demchok The Buddha of radiating and beyond personal happiness. This kind of happiness arises when we recognise the true nature of our mind. He is a blue coloured standing form. His hands are crossed in front of his chest and holding a dorje and a bell. He helps us to defeat attachment and through him we can experience highest bliss. On this thangka he is in union with Dorje Phagmo (Skr. Vajravarahi).

013 Refuge tree

The refuge tree of the Karma Kagyu lineage shows the Three Jewels (Buddha, his teachings, and the community of practitioners) in which every Buddhist practivioners takes refuge. In addition, it represents the Three Roots (Lama, buddhaaspects, Protectors) which are of main importance for the practitioners of the Diamond Way. The Refuge Tree is helpful for those who practice the first part of the preliminaries (tib. ngndro), the prostrations.

014 Loving Eyes

Skr. Avalokiteshvara Tib Chenrezig The Buddha of compassion and unprejudiced love. He is a white sitting form with four arms. In his upper right arm he holds a crystal mala, which symbolizes that he is constantly working on freeing all beings from the conditioned world. His lower hands are holding the jewel of enlightenment on his heart level. His upper left hand holds a lotus flower symbolizing the complete purity of his motivation. His eyes see all sentient beings. Meditating on him brings forth the perfect compassion inherent in everyone. Buddhahood cannot be reached without this noble quality.