A master who preserved one tradition—even as another rose to power. Drenpa Namkha was the first historically documented Bon master, living in eighth-century Tibet at a time when Buddhism was becoming the dominant faith. He is credited with preserving the teachings of the Bon tradition during this period of profound religious change. According to later Buddhist accounts, he even took part in a dramatic contest—one that ended when the person he revived was revealed to be a ghost. In this edition of "Himalayan Art Up Close", Rubin Senior Curator Dr. Karl Debreczeny and Smarthistory’s Dr. Beth Harris examine this striking sculpture—seated on a throne of five animals and inlaid with silver and turquoise—and the complex religious history it represents. Created in collaboration with smarthistory_official. #HimalayanArt #TibetanArt #ArtHistory _______ Drenpa Namkha; Tibet: 15th century; Copper alloy with silver and turquoise inlays; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2003.31.1