Item: Teacher (Lama) - Rinchen Gyaltsen

Jamyang Rinchen Gyaltsen (16th century) of the Khon family of the Sakya Tradition. This is an extremely rare early example of a Menri style painting.

Wearing a bright red pandita hat and the attire of a monastic, Dagchen Rinchen Gyaltsen has the two hands placed in the gesture of teaching holding the stems of two utpala flowers supporting a sword and book. He sits on a lion supported throne with raised impasto designs, a torana and cushion, framed by white, grey and orange clouds. The lack of a lotus and moon seat above the throne is possibly an indication that Rinchen Gyaltsen was alive and well when the painting was commissioned. He appears to have had no children and was possibly a monk for the duration of his life.

Rinchen Gyaltsen is the grandson of Deleg Tashi who had four sons, Shakya Sengge, Sonam Gyaltsen, Dondrub Gyaltsen and Samdrub Gyaltsen. Rinchen Gyaltsen is the son of Shakya Sengge.

Video: The Sword & Book

At the top center is Je Sanggye Rinchen*. At the left side, wearing a red petalled hat, is Jamyang Sonam Gyaltsen. At the right side, wearing a red pandita hat, is Jamyang Kunga Tashi. All three appear to be wearing monastic garb.

At the upper left side is Manjushri. On the right side is Chaturbhuja Avalokiteshvara.

At the bottom left is Jamyang Kunga Gyaltsen. At the right side is Choje Yontan Paljor. Between the red offering table and Yontan Paljor is a standing figure with a name inscription below. That person is believed to have lived during the time of Ngagchang Kunga Rinchen** (1517-1584 [BDRC P460]). All three figures are wearing monastic attire.

This painting is referenced in the Collected Works of Jamgon Amnye Shab, Ngagwang Kunga Sonam (1597-1659 [P791]). Each figure in the composition is accompanied by a name inscription written in the Tibetan language and script.

Jeff Watt 6-2023