Item: Teacher (Lama) - Tsongkapa

Tsongkapa Life Story from a larger set of likely fifteen paintings. The composition of this painting does not belong to the popular system of composition composed by Jamyang Shepai Dorje (1648–1721) in the early 18th century. (See HAR #79017, 72000, 54496, 50238).

Across and above from the figure of Tsongkapa are the deities Medicine Buddha, Amitayus, Ushnishavijaya Sitatapatra and Vasudhara. Below that are the wrathful meditational deities Vajrabhairava, Mahachakra Vajrapani along with the peaceful White Tara. At the lower left are Chaturbhuja Mahakala, Yama Dharmaraja and Kshetrapala. At the bottom center are the protector deities Vaishravana and Panjarnata Mahakala.

Jeff Watt [updated 11-2023]

King of Dharma, The Illustrated Life of Je Tsongkapa, Teacher of the First Dalai Lama. Michael Roach & Christie McNally. Asian Classics Input Project. Howell, NJ, 2008.

Reverse of Painting
English Translation of Inscription: [Numerous inscriptions describing the major narrative vignettes on the front of the painting]