Item: Teacher (Lama) - Pawo 3, Tsuglag Gyatso

Tsuglag Gyatso, the 3rd Nenang Pawo Rinpoche (1567/68-1633) surrounded by depictions of deities and teachers. He was a principal student of the 9th Karmapa Wangchug Dorje and later became the teacher of the 10th Karmapa Choying Dorje.

Biographical Details (TBRC P1385).

At the top center is Shakyamuni Buddha with Shariputra on the proper right side and Maudgalyayana on the left. Descending on the left are Amitayus - the Buddha of Infinite Life, Shantarakshita, Atisha, Dromton, and Chen Ngapa. Descending on the right are White Tara, Maitripa and Shantideva, Buton (?), ... , and Putowa.

At the bottom center is the deity Hevajra with the Tibetan teacher Marpa Goyag at the proper right and Mar Goleg at the left.

It is not clear whether or not the hands and foot prints are really those of Tsuglag Gyatso or merely representational. The size of the prints would seem too small for human proportions other than those of a child. The footprints are seven inches long which would be typical for a large four year old male toddler in the 20th century.

The inscription along the bottom margin of the painting states that the subject of the painting is the teacher Lobpon Pawo along with his previous births. However, none of the figures and name inscriptions on the front of the composition correspond to the official list of previous incarnations according to Jamgon Kongtrul. It is possible that the inscription at the bottom was added later by a poorly informed devotee or owner.

Jeff Watt 7-2000. Updated 10-2005 (See HAR #11403).

Jamgon Kongtrul List of Pawo Incarnations:

Prior to the first Pawo there were six pre-incarnations.
1. Panchen Sherab Jungne (Nalendra Logo)
2. Kandro Dekyong Zangmo
3. Rolpai Yeshe
4. Sanggye Rongton
5. Orgyan Rinchen Lingpa
6. Barawa Gyaltshan Palzang

1st Pawo, Chowang Lhundrub (1440-1503) Biographical details
2nd Pawo, Tsuglag Trengwa (1504-1564/66) Biographical details
3rd Pawo, Tsuglag Gyatso (1567/68-1633) Biographical details
4th Pawo, Tsuglag Kuntu Zangpo 1633-1649) Biographical details
5th Pawo, Tsuglag Trinle Gyatso (1649/50-1699) Biographical details
6th Pawo, Tsuglag Dondrub (1701-1718) Biographical details
7th Pawo, Tsuglag Gawai Wangpo (1718/19-1781) Biographical details
8th Pawo, Tsuglag Chokyi Gyalpo (b.1782) Biographical details
9th Pawo, Tsuglag Nyinje (d.1911) Biographical details
10th Pawo, Tsuglag Nangwa Wangchug (1912-1991) Biographical details

Front of Painting
English Translation of Inscription: [Bottom center] The arising of the bodies [forms] of the Acharya Vira.

Wylie Transliteration of Inscription: [Central figure] dpal btsug rgya mtsho la na mo.
[Top center] sha ri'i bu. ston. mo gu 'gal gyi ...
[Upper left] tshe dpag med. zhi ba mtsho.
[Upper right] mi tra pa. zhi ba lha.
[Middle left, two figures] a ti sha. ['br] om ston.
[Middle right, two figures] ba son, ...
[Bottom left] pyan snga pa.
[Bottom right] pu to.
[Bottom center] mar mgo yags. kyai dorai. mar mgo legs.
[Bottom center, margin] slob dpon dpa' bo sku skye.

Special Features: (handprints, footprints)

Reverse of Painting
English Translation of Inscription: (There are inscriptions on the back).

Special Features: (Printed script (Uchen), Ranjana script (Ornamental Sanskrit), is red, includes "Om Ah Hum" inscription)

Thematic Sets
Subject: Footprints & Handprints (Both)
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Painting Gallery 5
Subject: Footprints (Lamas)
Subject: Lineage Composition (Greyscale)
Subject: Footprints & Handprints (Kagyu)
Tradition: Kagyu Teachers (Paintings)
Subject: Incarnation (Tulku) Lineage Paintings
Incarnation Lineage: Nenang Pawo
Subject: Incarnation (Tulku) Definition
Subject: Footprints & Handprints Main Page