Drolungpa
Drolungpa, a prince from an eastern Indian kingdom, achieved the accomplishment of eternal life, hence the honorific title bestowed upon him.
Drolungpa is depicted wearing the attire of a yogi, complete with a yogic belt around his waist. His hair is adorned with a row of small flowers, and he wears jewelry around his neck, with beaded necklaces draped across his chest. In his left hand, he holds a candle holder. A dakini, holding a kapala, offers him amrita (nectar). Unlike other great accomplished masters, Drolungpa’s neck jewelry is golden, signifying his noble origins as a prince.
Virupa
Virupa was the sole heir to the royal family of Kapila, a kingdom in northern India. After nine years of meditation, Virupa purified the defilements of his mind, attaining a clear and pure mind state. He achieved the accomplishment of Mahamudra and also gained the ability of telepathy.
Virupa is shown wearing bone ornaments on his head and a bone necklace around his neck, with a meditation belt looping from his shoulder to his left leg. He raises both arms, gently holding a veena (a stringed instrument). His consort is depicted with her legs intertwined with Virupa’s as they gaze into each other’s eyes.
Thangthipa
Thangthipa lived during the 9th century in a place called Sendonaga in northwest India. His guru bestowed upon him the Hevajra initiation, teachings and methods of practice. Thangthipa kept these teachings in his heart and, after 12 years of silent practice, attained great magical powers.
Thangthipa’s hair is styled in a topknot, secured with a cloth strip. A bone necklace is draped across his chest. He is skillfully weaving cloth, holding a spindle in his left hand and operating the loom with his right. His legs are extended forward beneath the loom. Several thread spools used for weaving are placed next to the loom. In the lower right of the painting, a woman is depicted holding a kapala, offering sustenance to Thangthipa.
Jalandhara
Jalandhara was born in the small town of Binunagara in eastern India. He was a cobbler by trade. After 12 years of meditation, Jalandhara donned the shoes of his guru’s teachings, stepped onto the ground of ignorance, cleansed all impurities of ignorance, and achieved the realization of Mahamudra.
Jalandhara has a dark complexion and is sitting in the lotus position on a red cushion. He has a high topknot and wears bone ornaments on his head. A bone necklace hangs across his chest. His thick eyebrows are slightly raised, and his full black beard enhances his expressive face. He has his arms outstretched, with his hands resting on his knees.
Dhokanapa
Dhokanapa lived in eastern India and belonged to the Shudra caste, the commoners. Following the teachings of his guru, Dhokanapa practiced meditation for seven years. He realized that all phenomena were not truly existent appearances, and he relinquished craving and attachment. He also meditated on the unborn and unceasing nature of reality, understanding its emptiness.
In the painting, Dhokanapa is depicted as a kind-faced monk. He holds a kapala filled with amrita in his left hand, while his right hand is in a gesture of debate. He looks smilingly at the woman beside him. The woman, holding a kapala, is dancing, dressed in a short top and shorts, which indicate her married status.
These five figures represent a diversity of backgrounds, yet each attained enlightenment through dedicated spiritual practice. Their stories are an inspiration to practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.
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