Question asked by Daniel
Hello,
Thank you for all your beautiful work. To the whole team, behind and in front of the scenes. So grateful for all the resources and information.
My question is: if I want to draw a Lama, who’s personal Yidam is the supreme Vajrayogini, how do I depict this? I see that in Rinpoches iconography he has a khatvanga and his personal Yidam was Lord Heruka. Would it be the same holy item or something else?
I would also like to know, how to show on the drawing, that the Lama has a lot of joyful effort and Bodhichitta and Wisdom and skillful means.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and answer my question🙏🙇♂️
Dear Daniel,
Thank you for your question and encouragement. In general, if a Lama doesn’t have specific iconography, they are depicted in the same manner within our tradition. They sit in full-lotus posture, wearing monastic robes (if they were a monk) and the golden pandit’s hat particular to our tradition.
Their right hand is in the Dharma teaching mudra, and their left hand rests in their lap holding a long-life vase filled with nectar. If they are still alive they sit on a throne. If they have passed on, they sit on a lotus.
It also optional to depict them holding the stem of a lotus between the thumb and forefinger of their right hand. The lotus blooms at the level of their right shoulder. On top of the lotus is a Dharma text. And on top of that is a flaming wisdom sword.
If our lama practiced Tantra they are also depicted with a khatvanga staff resting on their left shoulder. For both Vajrayogini and Heruka practitioners this is quite important. Both Vajrayogini and Heruka hold khatvanga staffs. In the case of Vajrayogini’s iconography, the staff actually represents Heruka. In fact her practice is a condensed form of Heruka’s practice and she is in fact Heruka’s consort.
In short, there is no difference in how a Lama is depicted if they practiced Heruka or Vajrayogini. In fact, even if they practiced other tantric systems, this is the way of depicting them correctly.
Bodhicitta, wisdom, joyful effort and skilful means are all depicted within such iconography of a lama. In fact, not only these, but also all other enlightened qualities are covered as well.
Here is the link to a depiction of Tsem Rinpoche which shows the iconography: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/tsemrinpochethangka.jpg
Please note that this thangka was painted before Rinpoche passed into Parinirvana, so Rinpoche is depicted on a throne rather than a lotus. I hope this helps.