Giclee Print by Robert Beer
10.75" x 14.25"

This thangka, painted by Chewang Dorje in 2003, depicts the Nyingma Refuge Tree or Merit Field assembly that is visualized in the 'Preliminary Practices' (ngondro) of the Dudjom Tersar or 'New Treasures (tersar) of Dudjom' tradition, which were revealed relatively recently by Dudjom Lingpa and his successor Dudjom Rinpoche. Padmasambhava is said to have composed this concise practice, along with other related practices in the early ninth century, before concealing them as hidden treasures (terma) that would be revealed in a more degenerate time when people had less time to practice the Dharma. The great treasure-finder (terton) who was destined to reveal these 'New Treasures' was Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904), who in his subsequent incarnation as Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje (1904-87), then extensively taught these practices throughout his life. Collectively these practices form part of a cycle known as 'The Wisdom Net of Pure Visions' (daknang yeshe drawa), which was one of the four main cycles revealed by Dudjom Lingpa. - Robert Beer