Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Teacher (Lama) - Tsongkapa

བླ་མ། 喇嘛
(item no. 60901)
Origin Location Tibet
Date Range 1700 - 1799
Lineages Gelug and Buddhist
Material Ground: Cotton
Collection Bodleian Libraries , University of Oxford
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Person

Appearance: Monastic

Gender: Male

TBRC: bdr:P64

Interpretation / Description

Tsongkapa, Lobzang Dragpa: belonging to a set of fifteen paintings depicting the life story. This composition is #15 in the set and the position for display is the 'left, seventh'. This portion of the narrative includes the passing away of Tsongkapa. (See the complete set of fifteen compositions printed from wood blocks and the specific #15 print).

Tsongkapa Biographical Details

Lama Tsongkapa (1357-1419) was the founder of the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism. He established the Ganden Monastery which became the principal seat of the school. Beginning with Tsongkapa, the successive Throne Holders of Ganden Monastery are the heads of the Gelugpa Tradition.

"From the heart of the Lord of the hundred gods of Tushita, on the peak of a cloud, bright white like a mound of fresh yogurt, Lord of Dharma, Omniscient Lobzang Dragpa, together with sons; please come here." (Gelugpa liturgical verse).

Jeff Watt 6-2014

Secondary Images
Related Items
Thematic Sets
Teacher: Tsongkhapa Main Page
Teacher: Tsongkapa Life Story Main Page
Collection of Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford