This thangka presents a collection of portraits depicting the masters of the Rigzin Lineage. At the very centre is the principal figure—Kathog Rigzin Chenpo – Tsewang Norbu. Surrounding him in the four cardinal directions are successive emanations and the manifests of the different lineage masters.

As recorded in Tsewang Norbu’s biography, there are five important disciples from the Kagyu tradition who had tasted the nectar-like essence of the Dharma through the oral transmissions bestowed by him. They are the five luminous lamps in the lineage:

• The 13th Karmapa, Dudjom Dudul, who became the Sixth Lion-Roar Buddha among the
  Thousand Buddhas of the Auspicious Aeons;
• The 10th Shamarpa, Kongchok Nyingma, bearer of the Red Hat lineage;
• The Dharma King Drupchen, a sublime emanation of the great Indian Mahasiddha Naropa;
• The Omniscient Panchen, Tai Situ Tenpai Nyingchi; and
• Pawo Rinpoche Trula Kapa, a manifest of both the Terton Rigzin Lingpa and the speech aspect of Guru Padmasambhava.

The other disciples with predestined connections to Tsewang Norbu during his lifetime were from different traditions, some of whom were accomplished ones. Amongst them were the resident abbots of monasteries, gurus, scholars, monastics and spiritual friends who upheld pure precepts; and the resident abbots of teaching institutions and meditation centres. There were also many tantric masters who were of noble birth, and ngakpas who had spent their lives in hermitages. Disciples also came from the different Buddhist institutions: Nyingma; Drikung, Darong, and Drukpa Kagyu; and other traditions: Jonang, Shalu and Bodong. He also had disciples who were from non-Buddhist backgrounds, and who were women. Because they all came from different traditions, and backgrounds, it is not possible to provide all their details here.

Tsewang Norbu said that “Guru Padmasambhava had prophesied that 75 disciples would gain mastery of benefitting self and others, 700 would attain liberation, and about over 10,000 would form a deep karmic connection with the Dharma.”

Of the 75, 36 would be wise ones, eight would be noble ones, and four would be heart-sons. The rest would be Kings, Chief Ministers and Ministers of both big and small states. An important leader was the 7th Avalokiteshvara emanation – Kelsang Gyatso.