Shantipa
Shantipa was born in the 11th century in the Vikramaśīla region of northeastern India. Born into a Brahmin family, he later entered the Over-Rock Monastery, where he became a disciple of Naropa. He specialized in the esoteric practices of Chakrasamvara and Hevajra tantras. Becoming a master renowned for his profound knowledge across the five fields of learning, Shantipa was celebrated for his erudition and wisdom.
Master Shantipa is typically depicted wearing monastic robes, his face graced with a gentle smile. He gazes upon his followers with compassionate eyes, offering teachings and guidance. A blossoming lotus flower adorns one side of him, while on the other, a dakini with a colorful shawl pays him homage with folded hands, highlighting his esteemed position and the respect he commanded.
Naropa
Naropa, also known as the Black Adept or Kadapa, is particularly known for his practice of the Chakrasamvara tantra. He founded a unique practice lineage referred to in Tibetan Buddhism as the “Chakrasamvara Black Adept Lineage.” The Black Adept tradition is one of the three major lineages of Chakrasamvara in India. His writings include the “Chakrasamvara Practice,” “Initiation Rituals,” and “Homa Rituals” for the generation stage, as well as the “Spring Point,” “Secret Teachings,” and “Four Stages” for the completion stage. These works are collectively known as “The Six Texts of Naropa.”
Master Naropa is often shown riding on the back of a naked man, his face displaying a wrathful expression. He is usually depicted beneath a large tree. Flanking him are two dakinis, one with fair skin and the other with dark skin, each holding a kapala (skull cup), which are symbolic of the esoteric practices he taught. A corpse lies below Naropa, who extends his right hand, as if to accept the skull cup, showing his mastery of life and death.
Jnanagarbha (Shantideva)
Jnanagarbha, also known as Pusukupa, was born into the royal family of the Kingdom of Xianzhang in southern India around the 6th or 7th century CE. His original name was Shantivarman. In addition to his well-known Bodhicharyavatara (A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life), Jnanagarbha authored Shikshasamuccaya (A Compendium of Trainings) and Sutrasamuccaya (A Compendium of Sutras), three works that continue to be highly valued in Tibetan Buddhism. These texts are considered essential guides for bodhisattva practices.
Jnanagarbha is portrayed with a wrathful expression, his eyes wide open, gazing into the empty space before him. He is depicted wearing the close-fitting attire of a yogi, with a bone necklace crossing his chest. Beside him stands a dark gray consort, and on the other side, a woman, potentially a manifestation of Manjushri, offers him a bowl of spring water, indicating his wisdom and purification.
Dharmapala (Dampa Sangye)
Dharmapala, also known as the “Speech-Free One,” was born in Varanasi, in central India, around the 10th or 11th century. Born into royalty, he renounced his position to join the Mahasanghika school of Buddhism. He diligently studied logic, grammar, and the doctrines of various Buddhist schools, eventually becoming a renowned scholar. He later devoted himself to the practices of Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara, and Hevajra, achieving remarkable spiritual accomplishments.
Dharmapala is usually shown with a serene expression, seated upon an animal skin mat, and he is backed by a cushion, leaning against a tree adorned with flowers, symbolizing his enlightenment. He is depicted with his hands in the Dharma teaching mudra, with his right arm gently raised. He also wears bone ornaments on his head and body. A young woman stands beside him, holding a kapala and offering it to him, likely to attract his attention, illustrating how he was venerated.
Ghantapa
Ghantapa, originally named Jnanasiddhi, is also known as Tripupa or Gantapada. Guided by Vajravarahi, he became a great scholar renowned for his expertise in the five fields of knowledge and for his skill in defeating non-Buddhist adversaries. He traveled extensively to propagate Buddhist teachings. During an act of helping beings, he manifested a vajra bell and a vajra scepter from his spiritual powers, which he held in his hands. Thus, he became known as the Vajra Bell Master.
Ghantapa is depicted wearing the attire of a yogi, with a meditation belt across his shoulder and a bone necklace around his neck. He is adorned with various necklaces, one of which crosses his chest. He holds a bell in his left hand and a vajra scepter in his right hand, and is shown flying through the sky. He is accompanied by Vajravarahi who is also flying, while someone, possibly their son, clings to his body, an unusual element in depictions of this master.
Nagarjuna (Longchen Rabjampa)
Nagarjuna, originally named Sudhosugita, is also known as Nakabodhi, Longjue, or Longzhi. He was one of the most prominent disciples of Nagarjuna. In esoteric Buddhism, it is believed that Mahavairocana Buddha transmitted the teachings of the three secrets (body, speech, and mind) to Vajrasattva. Nagarjuna opened the iron tower in the South, personally paid homage to Vajrasattva, received the transmission of teachings, and founded his lineage. Nagarjuna then passed down the esoteric teachings of the Mahavairocana Sutra and the Vajrasekhara Sutra to Nagarjuna, who widely propagated them. He was therefore a patriarch of esoteric Buddhism and the fourth in the transmission lineage.
Nagarjuna is portrayed with a large horn on his head, a long beard, and a pained expression, emphasizing the intense practices he undertook. He is shown sitting on the ground, leaning on a wooden staff with his hands clasped, his chin resting on his palms, seemingly trying to alleviate the pain caused by his large horn. Notably, he wears the attire of a yogi, adorned with bone necklaces. However, unlike the other great masters, he has a white cloth tied around his head, wears a cloak, and has shoes on his feet, demonstrating his unique approach to spiritual practice.
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