Entrance

2011091417523460DOM TSON DAM PA  

The central structure above the entrance way is a representation of an image painted by one of the Sakya tradition’s forefathers, Sakya Pandita, at Samye Monastery in Tibet early in the 13th century. It had been predicted that Samye would be damaged by fire, so Sakya Pandita created this image as protection.

Iconography:

The lotus represents Padma Sambhava.

The vajra-handled sword represents King Tri Song Detsen.

The white swans on the left represent Shantarakshita and his disciple Kamalashila.

The parrots on the right represent two translators –  Kawa Paltsek and Chokro Lui Gyaltsen.

The pecha represents Manjushri.

 

 

CHU SRIN

IMG_0445 (2)         IMG_0447 (2)

Two “water monsters” or chu srin are being sculpted on either side of the central dom tson dam pa. They offer protection from afflictions. While their heads can often be seen on such structures as temples and stupas, the whole body is less commonly encountered.   

                                                                 

IMG_0420LOTUS PETALS

These are being added around the base of the platform on which the other sculptures sit.