Item: Teacher (Lama) - Panchen Lama 3, Lobzang Palden Yeshe

Palden Yeshe (1738-1780), 3rd Panchen Lama of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

Palden Yeshe wears the yellow pandita hat typical of the Gelug tradition and the robes of a fully ordained monk. At the heart of Palden Yeshe is an image of Shakyamuni Buddha. At the heart of Shakyamuni is a small figure of Vajradhara Buddha, blue in colour, with the hands crossed at the heart in an embracing gesture. The right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing while holding the stem of an utpala flower supporting an upright sword of wisdom. The left hand, placed palm up in the lap, supports a long-life vase adorned with the Sanskrit letter 'HRIH' written in Tibetan script. The left also holds the stem of a lotus flower blossoming above the left shoulder supporting a book - representing the Prajnaparamita Sutra. He sits atop a flat disc of the full moon above a multi-coloured lotus seat and ornate square golden throne supported by lions. In front is a small table with an arrangement of various objects - religious and secular. Standing upright to the left side is a kakkara monk's staff. On the right side is a golden stupa atop a small round table.

The entire figure of Palden Yeshe is surrounded by an elaborate torana 'throne-back' decorated with dragons and a kirtimukha at the top.

At the top left corner is Je Tsongkapa Lobzang Dragpa (1357-1419), founder of the Gelug Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. At the top right is Kalzang Gyatso (1708--1757), the 7th Dalai Lama holding a wheel in the left hand and a white lotus with the right supporting a sword and book.

At the lower left and right sides are Amitayus Buddha, red in colour, and White Tara.

Along the bottom, starting at the left of the composition, are Vaishravana Riding a Lion, yellow in colour, wearing armor and heavily layered clothing. In the middle is Shri Lakshmi (Pal Lhamo), white in colour, holding an arrow in the upraised right hand and a bowl of jewels in the lap with the left hand. At the right is Genyen Chingkarwa, white is colour, holding a crystal spear in the right hand and a bowl of jewels with the left. He rides atop a white horse surrounded by white billowing clouds.

Jeff Watt 17-2012

Numbered Image:
1. Palden Yeshe, 3rd Panchen Lama
2. Je Tsongkapa
3. Kalzang Gyatso, 7th Dalai Lama
4. Amitayus Buddha
5. White Tara
6. Vaishravana Riding a Lion
7. Genyen Chingkarwa
8. Shri Lakshmi