On the summit of the sacred Copper Colored mountain, Padmasambhava has manifested a magical palace of light called the Lotus Light. To this day, he resides here in an indestructible body transcending birth and death. As long as the ocean of samsara churns, the blessings of Padmasambhava flow without ebbing. He continuously sends out emanations of his body, speech and mind and brings benefits to all beings through the six realms.
This portrayal of Zangdok Palri is based on the painting commissioned by His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche himself supervised this painting based on the visionary journey of the Great Terton Chogyur Lingpa to the Copper Colored Mountain. Chogyur Lingpa visited Zangdok Palri few times in his life, meeting Padmasambhava face to face.
While Chogyur Lingpa was in retreat above Ogmin Karma Gon Monastery in Tibet, one day five Dakinis visited him. Laying a cross vajra as a seat, they invited Chogyur Lingpa to visit the sacred Mountain.
He saw the sights of Lhasa and its many holy temples followed by views of the glorious Samye monastery and later the Five Peak Mountain. Wanting to circumambulate these sacred sites, miraculously the cross vajra seat transformed into a fine steed. The group came across the stupa where Prince Siddhartha (Buddha Shakyamuni) had cut off his hair. Here, Chogyur Lingpa made aspirations welling from deep devotion and faith.
Further ahead, they came across the Nairanjana River in India, the sacred place where the Buddha practiced austerities. Here, Chogyur Lingpa got off his horse and drank the cooling blessed water.
Journeying ahead, the group came across the place of Kusīnagar, the sacred place where the Buddha displayed the manner of passing beyond sorrow. Chokgyur Lingpa made supplications in a state of profound and irreversible faith, filled with admiration, yearning, and trust.
They later come across the most holy mountain of Sri Lanka, Mount Malaya of Blazing Meteoric Iron, the sacred place where the teachings of Secret Mantra first appeared. Here, again, the group offered prayers of devotion and aspirations for the welfare of beings.
Later on, Chogyur Lingpa and the five dakinis came across the most holiest of all sacred places, the temple of the Vajra Throne in Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained supreme enlightenment. Here, Chogyur Lingpa offered prayers and performed full body protestations. The Dakinis sang songs of praises in their own language.
The journey continued as they crossed over a turbulent body of water. They came to the country of Uddiyana, the source of the Secret Mantra teachings.
Chogyur Lingpa and the five Dakinis crossed the water in a ship and arrived at the shore of the Glorious Copper Colored Mountain.
The group entered the Palace of Lotus Light and beheld Padmasambhava who was surrounded by a retinue of all the great masters of India and Tibet. Placing Padmasambhava's precious feet on the crown of his head, Chogyur Lingpa requested teachings and personal advice.