Item: Teacher (Lama) - Teacher

Jangchub Tsemo, Lochen (1303-1380 [P2388]). He was a student of Pang Lotsawa, Chim Lobsang and others. He was also a teacher of Tsongkapa Lobsang Dragpa. This true portrait painting could have been commissioned late in his life or after his passing as part of the funerary services.

There is an extensive inscription on the reverse of the painting.

Lochen Jangchub Tsemo Short Biography:

"Janchub Tsemo, the nephew of Pang Lotsawa (Lo tsa), who was born in Lato (La Tod Lho Zur). His father was Zhonnu Palzang (Zhon Nu Pal Zang) and his mother was the sister of Pang Lotsawa. He was born on fifth cycle (rab byung) of the Water Rabbit year. When he was seven, he received the Upasaka Vows from Pang Lotsawa.

At the age of sixteen, he received novice vows from Khenchen Chogyong (Khen Chen Chos Skyong) a nephew of Shong Lotsawa (Shong Lo Tsa). Later Pang Lotsawa took him to Ngari (Mnga' Ris) and Sakya (Sa Skya), where he studied there for sometime. Late he received Abhdidharma and Pramana teachings from Pang Lotsawa at Gungthang (Gung Thang).

At the E monastery, he stayed for four years and studied all the sciences. When he was the age of 22, he received teachings from Khenp Jamyang Donyo Gyaltsen of Sakya monastery, Panglo, Shangton Choje and Khenchen Sonam Sangpo, etc., and received Bhikshu ordination.

He had approached many great teachers such as Choje Lama who was related to him, Pang Lotsawa, Gyalse Togme Zangpo, Buton Rinchen Drub and Dolpopa, Dragpa Pal, Mati Panchen and Chim Lobsang Dragpa, etc., and received profound Sutra and Tantra teachings as well. He was named lord of accomplishment. Gyalsepa once said that whoever made offerings to this great siddha would never suffer from starvation.

He also displayed some miracles such as never sinking in water, the power to enter into even a small hole, able to bestow empowerment to a large number of people in small house, and possession of prophetic knowledge, etc.

He established the E monastery after the instruction of his master. He had given the Kalachakra teachings to Taglung Namkha Palsang; hence, it spread in central Tibet. After that he traveled to the Dharma master of Dagpo and was offered a map of the region. Then he stayed in the Tsang area. Even when he was very old, at the invitation of Chen-nga Drag (Spyan snga Grags), he visited Yarlung, Densatil (gdan sa thil) and Gungtang and bestowed the Kalachakra teachings. All the participants and scholars were very happy to receive it.

He bestowed the lineage empowerment of Kalachakra to Tagtsang (Tag tshang), Shang (Shangs) and Uyug (Wuyug) of upper Nyang, he also wrote commentaries and further spread the teachings by explaining, debating and writing.

He had many students among them Wonpo Lochen Dragpa and Dragpa Namkha Zangpo were his heart sons.

He spent the remaining part of his life at Tsang Chumig where he had liberated many disciples. At the age of 78, in the Sixth cycle iron monkey year, he departed for the pure realm."

Jeff Watt & Karma Gellek 9-2018