A BRASS FIGURE OF DRENPA NAMKHA


WEST TIBET, CIRCA 11TH CENTURYHimalayan Art Resources item no.44528 4 in. (10 cm) high
|藏西 約十一世紀 尊巴南卡銅像 The recipient of centuries of handling and ritual ablutions, with its smooth, buttery patina, this spirited bronze is probably one of the earliest surviving sculptures from the Bon religion. The parasol in the figure's left hand and the lion throne below identify him as the Bonpo teacher Drenpa Namkha. (The Bon deity Sangpo Bumtri may also be depicted holding a parasol, but he often sits upon a peacock throne.) It is said that Drenpa Namkha lived in the 8th century during the time of Trisong Detsen (r.755–794), the 38th Tibetan emperor. As one of the Three Dharma Kings of Tibet, Trisong Detsen played an important role in introducing Buddhism to Tibet. Under the pressure from the changing times, Drenpa Namkha is believed to have eventually been converted to Buddhism. Here, Drenpa Namkha is clearly represented as a Bon master, confirmed by the three prominent yungdrungs (swastikas) on the front and sides of the lion throne. The yungdrung, with its arms bent to the left, is the principal symbol of the Bon religion. However no actual yungdrung-object is used by Bonpos as a ritual implement (Karmay & Watt (Eds), Bon: The Magic Word, New York, 2007, p.22).