Fine Quality 6" Marpa Statue

Marpa – The Founder of Kagyudpa Tradition

Marpa was the founder of Kagyudpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Marpa was born in 1012 A.D. in the region of Lobrak Tibet, right above the border of Bhutan. In his childhood he quickly learned reading and writing. Marpa learnt Sanskrit from Drogmi Lotsava who was well versed in Path and Fruition doctrine of Sakyapa tradition. Having been frustrated with his inability to learn more teachings from Drogmi he toured India three times via Nepal. Marpa had two Nepali Gurus, Paindapa and Chitherpa from whom he learnt the Chakrasamvara and Chatuhpith Tantras for three years. These two Nepalese teachers gave Marpa a great deal of dharma instruction and language. Marpa with his great zeal and assiduity learnt the vast range of Tantric teachings from Naropa, Maitripa, Kukkuripa and others. Marpa came back to Tibet with these vast resources and taught his disciples extensively. Among his disciples, Tibet's great yogi Milarepa was the foremost and he had many outstanding disciples of his own through whom Kagyudpa lineage is continued uninterruptedly till today.

Gestures and Attributes

Marpa is said to be a very fat one with hair standing five fingers straight up off his head and with angry looking face. But in some commentaries of Venerable Karma Chagme, he is described as having matted hair and wearing a Chuba with big Chinese style sleeves and a large cap.

About this Sculpture

This sculpture is a beautiful portrayal of Marpa. Expertly sculpted from copper alloy with 24 karat gold and beautifully hand painted, the statue has been finely carved with intricate design and hand face painted. He sits upon deer skin. Marpa's features have been lovingly carved and over all, the stunning gold gilding and hand face painted gives the sculpture a luminous quality. This sculpture was individually handcrafted in Patan, Nepal by master artisans of the Shakya clan who are considered among the best in the world. These craftsmen are the modern heirs to a centuries-old tradition of creating sacred art for use in temples and monasteries. The fine metalworking techniques have been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times.