Himalayan Art Resources

Incarnation Lineage: Panchen Lama, Previous Births (Nartang)

Panchen Lama Iconography

Prior to the first Panchen Lama there were thirteen pre-incarnations commonly represented in art after the 17th century. There are also several lists naming the various pre-incarnations. The longer lists include Padmasambhava and Jowo Atisha.

In the [1] first and shortest list only four Indian teachers are included: Subhuti, Yashas, Bhavaviveka and Abhayakara Gupta.

In the [2] second list Padmasambhava and Atisha are added for a total of six Indian pre-incarnations. In the third and longest list a further four Indian teachers are included. At least two of those are mahasiddhas with one identified as Ghantapa.

Pre-incarnation List:
1. Amitabha
2. Subhuti
3. King Yashas
4. Bhavaviveka
5. Padmasambhava
6. Atisha
7. Abhayakara Gupta
8. Go Lotsawa
9. Sakya Pandita
10. Yungton Dorje Pal
11. Khedrub
12. Sonam Choglang
13. Lobsang Dondrub

Jeff Watt [updated 6-2021]