Gampopa Sönam Rinchen, also known as Dagpo Rinpoche, was one of the foremost students of Milarepa. He played a central role in shaping the early Kagyu tradition and founded the monastic order of this school. The lineages that developed from his teachings are referred to as the Dhakpo Kagyu. His main place of activity was the monastery of Dhaklha Gampo, where he taught and passed on his extensive knowledge in Dharma practice and meditation.
The statue shows Gampopa seated in the lotus posture on a rounded pedestal. He wears the Kagyu hat introduced by Milarepa. His hands are folded in his lap, holding the Jewel of the Dharma, depicted as a six-column flame form. The robe is crossed at the front and covers the upper body, his left arm, and the legs.
The pedestal, robe, and hat are decorated with filigree. Fine spiral shapes, some filled with smaller arched elements, form a continuous ornamental pattern. The densely arranged filigree follows the folds of the robe and creates a brocade-like structure. Colored stones accent the filigree and form floral motifs. A central rosette appears on the back of the robe. The front of the pedestal shows a double lotus band in filigree.
The figure belongs to the Marpa–Milarepa–Gampopa ensemble, a group rarely found in this artistic quality. The dense, ornamental filigree work reflects a high level of craftsmanship and the regard with which the figure was created. The three figures share the same size and execution and appear as a coherent ensemble.
Statue made of copper, traditional lost-wax cast, embellished with filigree, gold- and silver-plated, set with colored stones. The statue is patinated. The face is set in gold. Handmade in Nepal.
NOTE
The face painting is a cold gold application and water-soluble.
Yala Craft by Shanta is an Asian company based in Germany. I sell my traditional Buddhist sculpture art, created in my own workshop in Nepal.