Treasure Revealer Terdak Lingpa (1646-1714)

This is an engaging portrait of Terdak Lingpa Gyurme Dorje (1646–1714), the founder of Mindroling Monastery, which came to be regarded as the chief monastery of the Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Terdak Lingpa wears the robes of a lay practitioner and holds a square casket, a symbol of his role as a revealer of hidden teachings (terma). In Tibetan culture, Padmasambhava, the famous master who is credited with introducing Buddhist teachings to Tibet in the eighth century, hid many teachings to be discovered at auspicious times in the future. He foretold that these teachings, referred to as treasures, will be found by treasure revealers (terton), who interpret and share the encoded meaning.

Depicted at the lower right is Terdak Lingpa’s son, Pema Gyurme Gyatso (1686–1718), who succeeded him as abbot of Mindroling Monastery. He holds a writing tablet. At the lower left is Terdak Lingpa’s younger brother, the scholar Lochen Dharmashri (1654–1717/18), holding a stylus and text. This colorful painting contrasts nicely with its yellow brocade border featuring dragons. The back of the painting includes two handprints set on lotus blossoms that consecrate the painting along with a long poem in praise of Terdak Lingpa.