Item: Teacher (Lama) - Teacher

Kunzang Nyida Dragpa.

Wearing a single robe decorated with patterns, his long hair is tied on the crown of the head fastened with bone ornaments. To the ears are attached large flat conch shell spiral earrings. A single jeweled choker necklace adorns the upper body with bone ornaments crossing the chest. The right hand extended across the knee holds a vajra sceptre. The left hand in the lap cradles a skullcup and long-life vase. Seated in a relaxed posture with the right foot over the left, he rests atop a deerskin and double lotus seat.

An inscription along the base of the lotus at the front of the sculpture reads 'Homage to Kunzang Nyida Dragpa.'

There was a 15th century Gungthang King who had a son said to be the re-incarnation of King Mutri Tsanpo, born 1514. It is not clear if this Tantric yogi figure with the same name is also that prince of Gungthang.

The name Nyida can also be found in the Chagzam Tradition of Tangtong Gyalpo beginning with Tendzin Ngagwang Nyida Zangpo.

In the Kagyu tradition, Kunga Zangpo, the Madman of U (dbus smyon kun dga' bzang po) had a nephew named Kunzang Nyida Pembar (kun bzang nyi zla dpal 'bar), who was born in 1514, and inherited the religious community of Tsimar Pel.

Jeff Watt 8-2018

Tibetan Printed Script (Uchen)
Wylie Transliteration: rkun bzang nyi zla grags pa la na mo.