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Tsheringma
Thangka; 133 x 89 centimeters; 18th century; on loan from the National Museum of Paro
The Goddess Tsheringma is originally a pre-Buddhist diety who, after her magical defeat by Guru Rinpoche, now protects man as well as Buddhism. Riding on a lion, she holds in her left hand the vase of longevity and in the right hand the vajra*. She is surrounded by her four sisters, who are also portrayed on their mounts. In the middle ot the top row sits Amithaba*, the Buddha of long life. To the left of him is Guru Rinpoche and to the right is Yogi Milarepa. Both play important roles in the taming and in the Buddhification of Tsheringma. The two outer figures above represent Dakini*,
"heavenly wanderers", that portray the fleetingness of earthly existence. Below, in the middle, sits Men Tshogdag, an elephant-headed diety who is associated with wealth.
| | The Deities of the Bar |
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|  | | Double-Sided Drum (Damaru)
Bone, snakeskin, silver, silk, silk velvet, cotton, imitation coral; measurement of the drum base 9 x 6,5 centimeters; on loan from a private collection
Hand drums, which are beaten on both sides, symbolize the simultaenous existence of both the relative and the absolute truth. They accompany the Lama in his meditation, please the gods' ears or call for the deities in ritual.
| | The Farm House |
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