13th Karmapa Dudul Dorje

Dudul Dorje is known as 13th Karmapa. Dudul Dorje is able to teach the word of the Buddha to both humans and animals. He was the head of the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism.

Dudul Dorje was born in Champa Drongsar and recognized by Gyaltsab Rinpoche at the age of four. He received an education in the monastery from the age of eight by both the Kagyu and the Nyingma schools. Dudul Dorje became head of the school at the age of 31.

Dudul Dirje is known as bdud ‘dul rdo rje in Tibet. He was known for his great love for animals.

Iconography of Dudul Dorje

In the iconography of Dudul Dorje, we are going to learn about Dudul Dorje’s body posture, hand and leg gesture, and different representations of Dudul Dorje in thangka and statue.

Dudul Dorje is youthful in appearance. He is with fair colored skin. He sits with the right hand extended in the open mudra (gesture) of generosity across the right knee.

The left hand of Dudul Dorje held to the heart gently grasps with thumb and ring finger the stem of a pink lotus flower blossoming at the left ear. He is adorning the head he displays the black vajra crown, typical of the Karmapa lamas, a gift of the Dakinis.

He is wearing the red and yellow robes of a fully ordained monk. He is wrapped in a yellow meditation cloak. He sits atop a low cushioned seat and elaborates with backrest and brocades.

Depicting Lama Teacher Dudul Dorje Thangka

The thangka of Dudul Dorje is from Eastern Tibet. It is made in between 1700 to 1799 AD. Dudul Dorje is from Karma (Kagyu) lineages. The size of the painting is 55.88*34.93cm. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Presently, this thangka is in Shelley & Donald Rubin.

By depicting this thangka, we are going to learn about the presentation of Dudul Dorje with different deities such as Three lamas, Yellow Jambhala, and White Jambhala, etc.

Three Lamas

Three lamas are in a pillow of clouds at the upper right of the thangka. They are in the seated position. The uppermost lamas are wearing a black crown and the two lower wearing similar red crowns.

All lamas are attired in red and yellow monastic robes and perform various mudras. (The upper lama is likely the prior Karmapa Changchup Dorje (1703-1732) and the lower-left the 7th Gyaltsap Rinpoche and to the right the 8th Situ Panchen Chokyi Jungne. The latter two were teachers of the three lamas13th Karmapa).

Yellow Jambhala

Yellow Jambhala is at the bottom right of the thangka.  Yellow Jambhala is peaceful, paternal, corpulent in the appearance of a worldly god. He holds a Bijapuraka fruit in the right hand and a mongoose on the left.

The right foot of Yellow Jambhala rests on a white conch shell atop a gold wealth vase above a heap of wishing jewels. Yellow Jambhala is seated on a white moon disc and pink lotus blossom.  He is framed by white billowing clouds.

White Jambhala

White Jambhala is at the left of the thangka. White Jambhala emanation of Avalokiteshvara. White Jambhala is with one face and two hands holding a stick in the upraised right and a mongoose in the left.

A katvanga staff leans against the left shoulder. Semi-wrathful in appearance he rides on the back of a golden dragon clutching wishing jewels in each claw. Between the two wealth deities are various precious jewels and gold ornaments.

Dudul Dorje with Gyalwa Chogyang Thangka

The thangka of Dudul Dorje with Gyalwa Chogyang is from Eastern Tibet. It is made in between 1700 to 1799 AD. Dudul Dorje with Gyalwa Chogyang is from Karma (Kagyu) lineages. The size of the painting is  71.12*45.72cm. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Presently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.

By depicting this thangka, we are going to learn about the presentation of Dudul Dorje with Three deities and Yeshe Tsogyal.

Gyalwa Chogyang is at the left of the thangka.

Three Deities

Three deities are presented at the top of the thangka. Three deities such as Amitayus, red Avalokiteshvara and Padmasambhava, etc.

Yeshe Tsogyal

Yeshe Tsogyal is on the right of the thangka. Yeshe Tsogyal is the highest female in the Nyingma Vajrayana lineage. She is known to have revealed terma with Padmasambhava and was also the main scribe for this terma.

Previously, we learned about the viability of Dudul Dorje, the iconography of Dudul Dorje, depicting lama teacher  Dudul Dorje thangka, and the representation of Dudul Dorje with Gyalwa Chogyang thangka. Now, we are going to learn about the presentation of Dudul Dorje with White Aitayus thangka.

Dudul Dorje with White Aitayus Thangka

The thangka of Dudul Dorje with white Aitayus is from Tibet. It is made in between 1700 to 1799 AD. Dudul Dorje with white Aitayus is from Kagyu, Karma (Kagyu), and Buddhist lineages. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Presently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.

By depicting this thangka, we are going to learn about the presentation of Dudul Dorje with Sitatapatra, and three seated figures.

White Amitayus is to the left of the thangka.  White Amitayus is seated above a large white billowing cloud.

Sitatapatra

Sitatapatra is at the top left of the thangka. Sitatapatra is a human figure sits atop a white lotus next to the female deity White Parasol. Sitatapatra is encircled by a ring of flames.

Three Seated Figures

Three seated figures are at the bottom left of the thangka. Three seated figures are with two wearing religious hats denoting rank.

Dudul Dorje with Amitabha Thangka

The thangka of Dudul Dorje with Amitabha is from Eastern Tibet. It is made in between 1800 to 1899 AD. Dudul Dorje with Amitabha is from Kagyu, Karma (Kagyu), and Buddhist lineages. Ground mineral pigment on cotton and fine gold is used to color it.

By depicting this thangka, we are going to learn about the presentation of Dudul Dorje with Black Cloak Mahakala and Shei Devi.

Amitabha is at the top center of the thangka. Amitabha is gold in color with the two hands placed in the lap performing the mudra of meditation.

Black Cloak Mahakala

Black Cloak Mahakala is at the bottom center of the thangka. Black Cloak Mahakala is the fierce protector, Black Cloak Mahakala is with one face and two hands holding upraised in the right a curved knife and a skullcup to the heart with the left.

Black Cloak Mahakala is wearing flowing garments. Black Cloak Mahakala is surrounded by flames of pristine awareness.

Shri Devi

Shri Devi is on the right of the thangka. Shri Devi is the female wrathful protector. Shri Devi is blue-black in color with one face and four hands riding a mule.