Item: Teacher (Lama) - Lama Dampa Sonam Gyaltsen

The central figure in this painting appears to be Lama Dampa Sonam Gyaltsen. No other historical figures are depicted with such unique robes that do not match the robes of a monk, nor a king, nor long-sleeved tantric attire. He is also wearing bone ornaments over the robes, and a five-skull crown. The style of robes he is wearing have only been seen in depictions of Lama Dampa, for example: HAR 30933 as a minor figure in the top right and HAR 10598 in sculpture.

However, there are some complications. He is holding a vajra and bell, which matches his standard attributes, but the position of his hands is different since he does not hold the vajra and bell together at his heart. Furthermore, it is unusual that he is holding a lotus in his left hand.

The deities surrounding the main figure are all the deities from each mandala in the Vajravali compendium, 46 in total. They are painted in a Khyenri style with circular halos, elegant limbs and simplified ornamentation.

At the bottom center of the painting, Shadbhuja (Six-armed) Mahakala is on the left and Palden Lhamo is on the right, not included among the Vajravali deities. In between them is a large lotus with the seven royal jewels inside the petals. Above that are two more lotuses with different sets of offerings inside the petals.

At the right of Palden Lhamo is a donor figure who appears dressed like the central main figure, only in miniature. This is unusual for a donor and the central figure to look identical, and raises questions as to who commissioned this painting.

It is unknown who the two sets of handprints belong to.

The painting is in the collection of Bogd Khan Museum, Ulanbaatar.

This figure was labeled "Fifth Dalai Lama" wearing kingly robes, when it was previously published in Faith and Empire (2019), RMA Publications. If this identification is correct, then it is highly unusual why the Fifth Dalai Lama would be depicted in the style of Lama Dampa. For now we are assuming it is not the Fifth Dalai Lama.

Nick Dharmadi, 9-2026

Reverse of Painting
Special Features: (handprints)