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Be hole, be dust, be dream, be wind Be night, be dark, be wish, be mind, Now slip, now slide, now move unseen, Above, beneath, betwixt, between. Thangka illustration of the Zangdok Palri palace consists of a top level, with Buddha Amitayus, the middle level, with the four-armed Avalokiteshvara, and the bottom level with Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche imparting his teachings to his disciples. There are swirling clouds around the Zangdok Palri and a rising sun as the backdrop. It is a majestic masterpiece. This composition is executed in the traditional Japanese moku hanga style, reminiscent of Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, capturing the retro-psychedelic essence of old 60s comic book colors and creating an illusion of spatial depth. Fading figures float in the background, their shapes ethereal and ghostly, adding a layer of mystery. A curious face looks out of a waste bin, with an expression of curiosity and secrecy, rendered with careful precision. The scene is infused with ornamental patterns and rich tones, while a contemporary, surreal touch enhances the figures. A vibrant and imaginative color scheme brings a playful, dream-like quality to the artwork. This intricate scene is executed in oil on canvas, with photorealistic attention to detail. Influences of bold etchings, street art flair, psychedelic design, and abstract expressionism enrich the composition. Blue prints, decalcomania spots and an aged paper texture add depth and character, while an outline illustration style and a dotted teal background add a cartoonish charm.
Guru Rinpoche knew that the demonic rakshasa cannibals of Camaradvipa, at the edge of our world-system, posed a grave threat to humanity. Their impending invasion threatened to engulf the Earth and annihilate all human life. Thus, after firmly establishing Buddhism in Tibet, Guru Rinpoche embarked on a mission to avert the looming disaster.
On the tenth day of the Monkey month in the Wood Monkey Year of 864, Guru Rinpoche set out for Camaradvipa. There, he successfully subdued the leader of the rakshasas, a demon named Raksha Tötreng (Skull-Garland Rakshasa), and assumed his form. Transforming this perilous and hostile cannibal realm, Guru Rinpoche then manifested the extraordinary Palace of Lotus Light, Padma Ö, atop the central mountain known as Zangdok Palri (the Glorious Copper-Colored Mountain). With this, and through Guru Rinpoche’s blessings, this once treacherous domain was transformed into a sublime place for spiritual attainment, where the teachings of Tantra flourish and thrive without interruption.
The island of the rakshasas thus became Guru Rinpoche’s supreme nirmanakaya pure land within our world-system. Residing in the luminous body beyond the confines of birth and death, Guru Rinpoche continues to turn the wheel of the Dharma there, guiding and liberating sentient beings. Emanation after emanation is sent to the human realm, empowered by the blessings of Guru Rinpoche, to ensure the continued guidance and liberation of beings.
