Gesar of Ling

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Gesar of Ling.

Gesar of Ling (T. gling ge sar གླིང་གེ་སར་; C. Gesaer wang 格薩爾王).[1][2] A Tibetan folk hero predominantly known through popular epic poems known as the Tales of King Gesar of Ling. He is said to have lived around the 10th century.[3]

In the Tibetan cultural region, the stories of Gesar are brought to life through dramatic performances, song and public readings of his many adventures.[3]

Gesar is also invoked as an embodiment of wisdom in Tibetan Buddhist practices revealed as terma by Ju Mipham and Namkha Drimed Rinpoche.[4][5] In this context, Gesar appears in the form of dharma protector;[6] he is generally depicted as a Tibetan warrior, atop a horse, clad in armor, and wearing a helmet, with elaborate flag pennants and streamers, accompanied by either eight or more horseman.[3]

Notes

  1. ↑ གླིང་གེ་སར་, Christian-Steinert Dictionary
  2. ↑ Ge sar of gLing, Digital Dictionary of Buddhism (to sign in, see DDB sign-in)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 King Gesar Main Page, Himalayan Art Resources
  4. ↑ Jamgon Mipam 2015, "Historical Introduction"
  5. ↑ Ripa Ladrang Foundation
  6. ↑ Gesar, Rigpa Shedra Wiki

Sources

  • Jamgon Mipham (2015), The Epic of Gesar of Ling: Gesar's Magical Birth, Early Years, and Coronation as King, Shambhala Publications

Further reading

  • Gesar, Rigpa Shedra Wiki
  • Gyurme Avertin (Translator). Gesar - Tantric Practices of the Tibetan Warrior King. Snow Lion 2023