Item: Teacher (Lama) - Panchen Lama 2, Lobzang Yeshe

Lobzang Yeshe, 2nd (5th) Panchen Lama (1663-1737 [TBRC P106]) accompanied by the incarnation lineage.

Lobzang Yeshe looks to the front with the proper right hand raised to the level of the heart is a gesture of blessing. The left hand is placed in the lap supporting a black bowl. Atop the head is a yellow pandita hat typical of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism encircled by a large green halo. He wears orange, yellow and red monastic attire and the legs are wrapped with a meditation cloak seated above a double cushion and a wooden throne.

Directly above Lobzang Yeshe, at the top of the composition, is Amitabha Buddha flanked by Shakyamuni Buddha and a mahasiddha (Lalitavajra?). The 1st Panchen Lama is immediately below. Placed on en either side are the two meditational deities Akshobhyavajra Guhyasamaja and Chakrasamvara. Descending on the right and left sides are the previous incarnations of the Panchen Lama.

At the bottom center is the protector deity 'Outer' Yama Dharmaraja, blue in colour, standing on a buffalo, surrounded by the flames of wisdom fire.

This composition is a single painting and does not belong to a set or series of paintings. The single composition of the Panchen Lama along with his previous incarnations was a popular subject in the 18th and 19th centuries. Small gold Tibetan name inscriptions accompany each of the figures, slightly below or to the side, but most are effaced. Each of the figures can be recognized and correctly identified either by their individual iconography or by the hierarchical placement within the composition.

Jeff Watt 1-2019

Thematic Sets
Teacher: Panchen Lama 2 (5), Lobzang Yeshe
Incarnation Lineage: Panchen Lama Main Page
Incarnation Lineage: Panchen Lama (Single Composition Painting)