Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Teacher (Lama) - Desi Sangye Gyatso

བླ་མ། 喇嘛
(item no. 99078)
Origin Location Tibet
Date Range 1700 - 1799
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:P421

Interpretation / Description

Desi Sanggye Gyatso (1653-1705): regent of Tibet after the passing of the 5th Dalai Lama and responsible for the building of the Potala Palace. Sanggye Gyatso was the 3rd and last Desi in the employ of the 5th Dalai Lama.

In 1679 he became the Desi and in 1682 began construction of the Potala Palace. The great religious prayer festival and tea offerings to the three great Gelugpa monasteries in memory of the 5th Dalai Lama was instituted in 1684. In 1702 he reigned as regent and was murdered in 1705 by associates of Lhazang Khan. Je Konchog Wangchug was recognized by the 6th Dalai Lama as the Desi incarnation and the line continues to this day in Mongolia. [Source Tbrc].

Biographical Details

Desi Sanggye Gyatso Incarnation Lineage: Vajrapani, Arhat Anirudha, Dharmaraja Chandrabhadra, Arya Asanga, Tsunmo Yiongma, Gyalbu Gawai Pal, Drangmo Dema, Trulpai Tachog Changshe (Horse), Dharmaraja Bhanga, Khyeu Gyuma Chilwa (Parrot), Khyimdag Palbe, Lonpo Netso Yuting, Lhase Mutri Tsanpo, Trinyen Zungtsen, Gungru Gungtsen, Mune Tsenpo, Lhalung Palgyi Dorje, Drubtob Nyima Dzin, Ngog Legpai Sherab (11th century), Drupai Wangchug Ratna Lingpa (1147-1216), Sechen Chokyi Gyalpo (Kublai Khan 1215-1294), Terton Zangpo Drag, Kedrub Norzang Gyatso, Altan Chokyi Gyalpo (Altan Khan 1507-1582), Mize Sanggye Gyatso 3rd Regent (1653-1705), Je Konchog Wangchug, Tala Ngagwang Palzang, Lharampa Zopa Gyatso, etc.

Jeff Watt 1-2004

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Teacher: Desi Sanggye Gyatso