Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup (1505-1566): pre-incarnation of the Panchen Lama.

Panchen Lama Biographical Details

Elegantly attired in the patched saffron robes of a fully ordained monk he wears on the head a yellow flat folded pandita hat. With the two hands the right holds a vajra to the heart and the left a bell turned up in the lap. On a cushion and backrest of ornate brocades, above a modest square throne, with a side table supporting a plate of wishing jewels and a begging bowl of healing herbs, a kneeling monk in front offers a solitary white lotus blossom against a green pastoral landscape.

At the top center is Vadisimha Manjushri, the bodhisattva of the Lion?s Speech, performing the gesture of Dharma teaching while holding the stems of two flower blossoms supporting a wisdom sword and book; seated on a white lotus above a blue lion with an orange flowing mane. To the left is yellow Parnashavari, the goddess who prevents contagious disease, having three faces and six hands; attired in fresh forest leaves. Below is the Medicine Guru, the blue-sapphire Buddha of Healing. To the right is Simhamukha, blue-black, wrathful Lion Faced Dakini, holding a curved knife and skullcup; surrounded by the fires of pristine awareness. Below is the Buddha Shakyamuni, the teacher of this age, first of the Three Jewels.

At the bottom, seated to the right and left, are two lamas wearing monastic robes performing gestures of blessing and explication; resting on cushion seats. On a small raised island in a lotus pond sits Brahman Mahakala in the appearance of an Indian ascetic, holding a curved knife and skullcup, surrounded by dark smoke and flame.

Jeff Watt 9-98