Buddhist Iconography of Bhutan

Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava is regarded as second only to the Buddha in Bhutan. He is the 8th century saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan and meditated in many of the most holy sites now dedicated to him.

If you are visiting Bhutan for the first time, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the vast numbers of Buddhas, historical figures and mythological images that crowd each temple you will visit.

It can take a lifetime to understand the iconography and nuances of the various figures but it is important to be able to recognize some of the main figures to better understand Bhutan and its unique take on Buddhism.

This is a wonderful article by Tshering Denkar that depicts the most prominent of the multitude of deities you will encounter during your travels in Bhutan. With a tiny bit of effort to learn how to recognize these important figures, you will vastly improve your understanding and enjoyment of rich Buddhist culture of Bhutan.