What if one enlightened master could appear in many forms? This 19th-century painting from Bhutan depicts the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava, the Indian Buddhist master revered for bringing Buddhism to Tibet. Surrounding the central figure are eight distinct forms, each representing a different manifestation of Padmasambhava and the many ways wisdom can appear in the world. At the center, Padmasambhava sits on a lotus throne, holding a vajra (a ritual scepter used in tantric practices) and a skull cup. Resting on his shoulder is a ritual staff topped with three heads—a fresh head, a decaying head, and a skull—representing the stages of decay and reminding viewers of the body’s impermanence. We continue this year’s “Himalayan Art Up Close” series with Rubin Senior Curator Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker, exploring how this intricate painting reveals the many manifestations of an enlightened teacher. Created in collaboration with smarthistory_officia...