Item: Indian Teacher

Pandita Pemavajra

The central figure is a Nepalese Pandita named Pemavajra, a previous incarnation of the Dalai Lama based on the text Sarasvati's Lute. This is the incarnation directly preceding Gendun Drub the 1st Dalai Lama. This teacher is not known other than from this text.

This painting is in a Lhasa Menri style and can be dated to the late 17th century or early 18th century, likely near the end of the Fifth Dalai Lama's life or just after his death.

At the top center is Chaturbhuja Avalokiteshvara, with slightly different hand gestures than is typical. At the top left corner is Gedun Gyatso, the second dalai lama. Below him is Trije Dewachen (khri je bde ba can), which is an alternate title for Geleg Pelzang, the 21st Ganden Tripa, head of the Gelug school. He was a student of Gedun Gyatso so he is painted below him. He retired in Dewachen monastery so he became known as the Trije (Throne Lord) of Dewachen. These two on the left are teachers of the Lamrim lineage according to the Gelug school, which is distributed throughout this painting set. On the top right corner is Guhyasamja Aksobhyavajra with consort. Below this is Sahasra-pramardani, white with one face and six hands, from the group of Five Pancharaksa female deities.

At the bottom center is Pratisara, yellow with four faces and twelve hands, from the Vajravali compendium. She is usually the first among the group of Five Pancharaksa female deities.

At the bottom left is White Jambhala riding a dragon. At the bottom right is Oddiyana Marichi, red, with five faces and twelve hands, a form which comes from the One Hundred Methods of Accomplishment (drub thab gya tsa) compendium. She rides a chariot pulled by boars and has a boar head on her crown.