Item: Teacher (Lama)

Lama: of the Gelugpa School. It is quite likely that this figure is Kalzang Tubten Jigme Gyatso (1743-1811), a student of the 7th Dalai Lama and a strong exponent of the Krishnacharya Chakrasamvara system of Tantra.

Youthful in appearance and gazing forward, he places the two hands crossed at the heart holding in the right a damaru (double-sided hand drum) and a bell in the left. The upper body is covered in the orange patchwork robes of a monk and the lower body wrapped with a meditation cloak. Crowning the head is a yellow pandita hat with the lappets lying across the shoulders. Atop an ornate throne with broad cushions and a backrest, he is seated with the head encircled by a dark green areola of light. In front, a low table supports a large black begging bowl and various religious objects.

At the top center is the primordial buddha Vajradhara surrounded by the panditas, mahasiddhas and Sakya lineage lamas of the Chakrasamvara cycle of Tantric practice. Below the central figure are 12 semi-wrathful deities (from the speech and body circles of the mandala) each with one face and four arms embracing a consort. At the bottom left is the wrathful wisdom protector Panjarnata Mahakala and at the right side Shadbhuja Mahakala. All of the minor figures are identified with Tibetan name inscriptions.

Chakrasamvara Lineage, Abisheka, Root Tantra and Commentary: Vajradhara, Vajrapani, Maha Brahmin Saraha, Acharya Nagarjuna, The Protector Shavari, Luipa, Darikapa, Vajra Ghantapa, Kumarapada, Jalandharapa, Krishnapa, Guhyapa, Nampar Gyalwai Shap, The Acharya Barmai Lobpon, Tilopa, Naropa, (the two) Pamtingpa Kuche Nyi, Lama Lokkya Sherab Tseg, Lama Mal Lotsawa, The Lord of Dharma Sakyapa (1092-1158).

Jeff Watt 4-2000