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A thangka of the 19th century Tantric adept and Dzogchen master, Shabkar the Mystic (full name: Shabkar Tsogdrug Rangdrol). He sits on a lotus, atop the deerskin that designates him as a wandering ascetic, and as having tamed the wilderness that is the undisciplined mind; he smiles kindly, surrounded by the birds and vegetation that kept him company during his long retreats in the remoteness of the Himalayan mountains. He cups a hand to his ear, about to sing a song of realization.
Shabkar became embedded in the annals of Tibetan folklore as a playful and deeply emotive Buddhist master, who was known for his sincere outpourings of emotion when confronted with the suffering of others, or in the face of personal loss and tragedy; he was also ed for his ardor in defending the welfare of animals, and for his views on non-sectarianism.
A prolific writer, he composed many songs of realization (doha), poems, prayers, and an autobiography. Many of his works remain untranslated. However, what we do have is eloquent and poignant:
"Emaho! Beloved heart-children, listen closely!
No experience, no perception, is possible anywhere except in the sky-like Mind;
Therefore, there is nothing to contemplate other than your own Mind.
No goal to achieve, outside of your own Mind."
-excerpt from The Flight of the Garuda
"It has been said of old, from the teachings of the masters of the past: the more kleshas, the more neurotic thoughts — the more Dharmakaya!"
-excerpt from The Flight of the GarudaWhen I started this thangka, I at first had considered another deity or figure to be the subject of it, eventually settling on Shabkar out of gratitude. Since last year and into this one, I've gone through some upsetting life events and a generally tumultuous period; the words from his works and biography were a source of reassurance, reaching out across the span of centuries. I didn't originally include this blurb about me, nor wanted to; but I decided to do so after all, so that the piece can be appreciated in the context from which it arose.
"Within me, sadness rages like a wildfire;
Though in my mind, there is no fuel.
A torrent of tears pours from my eyes,
Without end;
Though in my mind, there are no clouds."
-Shabkar the Mystic
Shabkar became embedded in the annals of Tibetan folklore as a playful and deeply emotive Buddhist master, who was known for his sincere outpourings of emotion when confronted with the suffering of others, or in the face of personal loss and tragedy; he was also ed for his ardor in defending the welfare of animals, and for his views on non-sectarianism.
A prolific writer, he composed many songs of realization (doha), poems, prayers, and an autobiography. Many of his works remain untranslated. However, what we do have is eloquent and poignant:
"Emaho! Beloved heart-children, listen closely!
No experience, no perception, is possible anywhere except in the sky-like Mind;
Therefore, there is nothing to contemplate other than your own Mind.
No goal to achieve, outside of your own Mind."
-excerpt from The Flight of the Garuda
"It has been said of old, from the teachings of the masters of the past: the more kleshas, the more neurotic thoughts — the more Dharmakaya!"
-excerpt from The Flight of the GarudaWhen I started this thangka, I at first had considered another deity or figure to be the subject of it, eventually settling on Shabkar out of gratitude. Since last year and into this one, I've gone through some upsetting life events and a generally tumultuous period; the words from his works and biography were a source of reassurance, reaching out across the span of centuries. I didn't originally include this blurb about me, nor wanted to; but I decided to do so after all, so that the piece can be appreciated in the context from which it arose.
"Within me, sadness rages like a wildfire;
Though in my mind, there is no fuel.
A torrent of tears pours from my eyes,
Without end;
Though in my mind, there are no clouds."
-Shabkar the Mystic
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Scribefang
~chilemeister
This is great! Love coming back to see all the details I'd previously missed.
Xroshtag
~xroshtag
OP
Thank you, scribefang! I'm glad you think so, and it means a lot that it was worth a repeat look ☺️
