Diagram: The Assembly of Deities

original: "RE-UNION OR ASSEMBLY OF DIVINITIES". This title is printed upside down at the bottom of the original diagram.

This diagram serves as an identification key for the complex painting known as an Assembly Tree original: Tshogshing. The structure is organized like a tree or an inverted pyramid, containing 138 numbered segments that correspond to specific figures in the Buddhist spiritual hierarchy.

Upper Section

The top of the diagram is crowned by three large semi-circular sections labeled A, B, and C. These represent the highest celestial realms or the primary ancestors of the lineage. Two smaller segments labeled D sit just below the central lobe.

The Body of the Tree

The main body of the assembly consists of 138 overlapping "scales" or segments. These are arranged in 16 horizontal rows that grow wider toward the base.

• Rows 1 to 15: These contain the lineage of historical teachers, enlightened beings Bodhisattvas, and protective deities Yidams.
• Numbering: The figures are numbered sequentially from top to bottom, ending with scale 138 in the final row.

Marginal Reference Labels

The edges of the diagram are marked with letters to guide the viewer:

• Left Edge: Marked with G, F, L, and G.
• Right Edge: Marked with G, E, L, and G.
• Base Corners and Center: Marked with H at the corners and K at the bottom center.

The Base Sections

At the very bottom, below the numbered scales, are six circular enclosures marked with Roman numerals I through VI. These sections contain specific illustrative scenes:

• Sections IV and V: Feature botanical and floral illustrations.
• Section VI: Shows a figure seated in meditation under a tree.
• Sections III and II: Display various symbolic objects and abstract shapes used in ritual.
• Section I: Depicts a narrative scene containing humanoid figures and animals. Small letters (such as 'a', 'b', and 's') are used within these circles to identify specific details.