Guru Padmasambhava
Also known as Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava, the lotus born one, is revered across Tibet as the ‘second Buddha. An adept Tāñtrika Buddhist monk, Padmasambhava was born in India (the Swat valley of Gāñdhāra or Oḍiśa are two postulated locations), probably the 8th or 9th Century CE. He is believed to have travelled to Tibet upon the invitation of the Emperor of Tibet, King Trisong Detsen, to use his Tantric prowess to subdue the demons hindering the construction of the great Samye monastery.
Not only did he do this successfully, winning the hand of Yeshe Tsogyal in return, but went on to translate many Tantra texts from Sanskrit to Tibetan and immensely popularized Tāñtrika Vajrayāna Buddhism in Tibet.
Padmasambhava is often portrayed in Tibetan art in sculture, murals and Thangka. Depicted here in two separate murals, as seated within his Mañḍala shrine and standing triumphant, surrounded by other bodhisattvas and Vajrayana deities.
Padmasambhava Buddha Vihara, Namdroling Monastery, Bylakuppe
















