Item: Teacher (Lama) - Taglung Tangpa Chenpo
| Origin Location | Tibet |
|---|---|
| Date Range | 1200 - 1299 |
| Lineages | Kagyu, Taklung (Kagyu) and Buddhist |
| Material | Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton |
| Collection | Private |
Taglung Tangpa Chenpo, Tashi Pel (1142-1210): founder of Taglung Monastery (1180), central Tibet - north of Lhasa, the head monastery for the Taglungpa sub-lineage of the Kagyu School. (See HAR #23507).
Biographical DetailsHandsome with black hair, he sits facing forward with the eyes slightly lowered. The two hands perform the mudra (gesture) of teaching, held at the heart with the eight fingers splayed in similitude of an eight spoked Dharma wheel. Wearing the orange and red robes of a monk and an outer meditation cloak gold in colour, the two legs are crossed in vajra posture, right over left. The top of the head adorned with an orange cap and a green nimbus frames the body as he sits atop a multi-coloured lotus and ornate lion supported throne. Below that is a temple courtyard scene with three gold stupas at the left, seated and meditating monks, buildings and historical structures.
At the top center is Pagmodrupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110-1170) the teacher of Taglung Tangpa Chenpo.
In the top register, beginning at the left side are Naropa, Tilopa, Vajradhara, Pagmodrubpa, Marpa, Milarepa and finally Gampopa.
Descending at the left are the Direction Guardian Virudhaka, Buddha Shakyamuni surrounded by four students, Sahaja Heruka Chakrasamvara, and another figure of Taglung Tangpa Chenpo and finally the Direction Guardian Dhritarashtra.
Descending at the right are the Direction Guardian Virupaksha, Chaturbhuja Lokeshvara, Vajravarahi, a third figure of Taglung Tangpa Chenpo, followed by the Direction Guardian Vaishravana.
Along the bottom, from left to right, is the donor figure wearing lay attire and seated before an assortment of offerings. Continuing from the left is Heruka, Chaturbhuja Mahakala with four hands, Aparajita, Artasiddhi Vajravarahi with four hands, Kurukulla with four hands and the Two-faced Vajravarahi.
(For additional information on painting style and art history see Notes on a Taglung Portrait by Jane Casey Singer).
Jeff Watt 7-2013
Buddhist Deity: Aparajita (Secondary Figure)
Subject: Hats (Kagyu Miscellaneous)
Collection: Hanhai on HAR
Collection: Hanhai Beijing (Painting. Fall, 2014 [I])
Collection of Anna Maria Rossi & Fabio Rossi
Teachers: Early Teachers (Front Facing)
Teacher: Taglung Tangpa Chenpo (Same Composition)
Teacher: Taglung Tangpa Chenpo Page
Teachers: Early Paintings of Teachers (Indian Style)
Collection: Christie's. July New Additions
Teachers: Early Teachers (Single Figures)