Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Teacher (Lama) - Tsongkapa

བླ་མ། 喇嘛
(item no. 90141)
Origin Location Central Tibet
Date Range 1400 - 1499
Lineages Gelug and Buddhist
Material Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton
Collection Private
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Person

Appearance: Monastic

Gender: Male

TBRC: bdr:P64

Interpretation / Description

Lama Tsongkapa, Lobzang Dragpa, also known as Je Rinpoche (1357-1419): founder of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsongkapa established the Ganden Monastery in central Tibet which became the principal seat of the Gelug School. Beginning with Tsongkapa, each of the successive Throne Holders of Ganden Monastery are considered the heads of the Gelug Tradition. In this early composition Tsongkapa is portrayed as the principal figure along with the two most important disciples standing at the right and left, accompanied by the two most important groups of lineage teachers from India known as the Yogachara and Madhyamaka philosophical lineage traditions.

Tsongkapa Biographical Details

Jeff Watt 3-2001

Secondary Images
Related Items
Publications
Religious Context: Religious Traditions Main Page

Thematic Sets
Tradition: Gelug Keys to Iconography
Tradition: Gelug Teachers (Paintings)
Collection: Private 1
Teacher: Tsongkhapa Main Page
Teacher: Tsongkapa (Yogachara & Madhyamaka Lineages)
Teacher: Tsongkapa (Early Paintings, 15/16th Century)
Painting Sets: Teaching Lineages
Teacher: Tsongkapa (Painting Masterworks)
Subject: Lineage Paintings - Dual
Iconography: Guru (Teacher)
Subject: Canopy/Parasol in Painting
Subject: Hats (Pandita Hat)