I. Main figure a. Name: Tsongkhapa Lobzang Trakpa (tsong kha pa blo bzang grags pa, 1357-1419) b. Inscription i) Transliteration: tshe dpag med/ rnam rgyal/ sgrol ma bcas tshe yi lha gsum/ rje gtsong kha pa la na mo/ ii) Translation: "I pay Homage to Amitayus, Vijaya, and Tara - the three deities of longevity - and to Lord Tsongkhapa." c. Descriptive or biographical notes Tsongkhapa Lobzang Trakpa (tsong kha pa blo bzang grags pa, 1357-1419) was born in the Tsongkha region of Amdo province. Gifted with exceptional intellectual and spiritual abilities, he studied with more than a hundred teachers of various lineages. Having been blessed by visions of Manjushri, the Buddha of wisdom, he wrote numerous treatises, collected in eighteen volumes. The emphasis Tsongkhapa put on the graded approach to the spiritual path, on monastic discipline, and on extensive philosophical studies and epistemological debate as a prerequisite to contemplative practice has defined the Gelukpa school. This lineage is also known as the New Kadampa tradition or as the tradition of Ganden, from the name of the monastery which Tsongkhapa founded near Lhasa, and where he passed away.

II. Surrounding figures: 1) Amitayus (tshe dpag med), Buddha of longevity. 2) Vijaya, the All Victorious One (rnam rgyal ma) 3) White Tara (sgrol dkar) 4) Kubera (rnam thos sras) 5) Jambhala (dzam bha la), deity of riches 6) A disciple, probably the benefactor who commissioned the painting of this thangka.

M. Ricard 12-97

Lord Tsongkhapa Lobsang Trakpa (1357-1419): founder of the Gelugpa School.

Peacefully gazing forward, Je Rinpoche (the Precious Lord) displays with the two hands at the heart the mudra (gesture) of Dharma teaching, symbolizing the eight spoked wheel. Delicately held in the fingers of both hands are the stems of two blue utpala flowers blossoming at both ears and supporting the flaming sword of wisdom on the right and the Prajnparamita book on the left. The head covered with a yellow pandita hat, he wears the patched saffron and red coloured robes of a fully ordained monk with the legs folded in vajra posture. Seated on a moon disc and multi-coloured lotus surrounded by an orange nimbus and dark green areola Tsongkhapa rests upon a bank of billowing white clouds.

Directly above is the buddha of long life, Amitayus, red in colour, holding a longevity vase. To the left is the goddess Ushnishavijaya, white with three faces and eight hands. To the right is White Tara with one face and two hands holding a large white lotus in the left. These three are known as the ‘Tse Lha Nam Sum’ (the Three Long-Life Deities).

At the bottom left is the wealth deity Jambhala, yellow in colour, holding a bijapuraka fruit in the extended right hand and a mongoose held in the lap with the left. In the center is the Lord of the Four Direction Guardians, Vaisravana, orange, holding a multi-coloured banner with the right hand and a mongoose with the left; riding a white snow lion. At the right side before a table covered with an array of precious offerings a monk with two attendants, reverential and kneeling, offers a white scarf to the Lord Tsongkhapa.

Born in the Amdo region of Eastern Tibet Lobsang Trakpa (Tsongkhapa) received novice monks vows from the fourth Karmapa Rolpa’i Dorje. Travelling to Central Tibet he studied with Sakya, Kagyu and Nyingma masters showing a special fondness for the Sutrayana teachings of Jowo Atsiha from the earlier Kadampa Tradition. From the founding of Ganden monastery and a following of numerous students the Gelukpa School was born.

The painting style is Eastern Tibetan with the open landscapes and a lack of excessive ornamentation and clutter.

Jeff Watt 9-98