Padmasambhava in his emanation as Nyima Öser Nepal, rare thangka from the Everest region, Sherpa tradition, early 19th ct. 81 x 58 cm Padmasambhava appears in eight different emanations, corresponding to his work. These emanations are named and recorded in legends. Regarding his emanation as Nyima Öser, as depicted in this thangka, the legend tells as follows: Padmasambhava stays near two famous stupas, giving tantric teachings to the sky fairies. He subdues the class of proud spirits and transforms them into protectors of Buddhism. Then he performs the miracle of drinking five hundred carts of beer in one go. Since he had promised to pay for the beer before sunset, he caused the sun not to set for seven days. After this, Padmasambhava is given the name Ni-ma od-zer "sunbeam". This situation is captured in the thangka in that a ray emerges from his left hand, directed towards the sun at the upper right edge of the picture, figuratively tethering the red sun. The appearance as a siddha underlines his magical abilities. As an important attribute he holds in his right hand the tantric staff khatvanga with the trident, the three heads - symbolising past, present and future, and the golden vase with water of life. On his head he wears the fivefold crown of skulls, embodying the wisdom of the Tathagatas. His lotus seat is covered with the superimposed sun and moon discs. The events around the central figure of the guru do not represent scenes from his life story, but are to be understood, arranged in a circle around the central figure, as prayers and invocations to the guru for help in life and support in mediation. He took on several figures such as Vairocana (white), Amitabha (red) and Amitayus (with a vase of water of life) in order to support the meditating being. He also protects - in the lower part of the painting - from wild animals and all kinds of distress. The pictorial language of this painting of the Sherpa tradition in Nepal differs from that of the central Tibetan tradition, making interpretation somewhat difficult. The depictions show great power and liveliness. Tempera on cotton. Former German private collection, assembled prior 2007 Wear, damages due to age