3rd Panchen Lama – Lobsang Dondrup

Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup is the pre-incarnation of the Panchen Lama. Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup was a Tibetan Buddhist religious leader. He was posthumously recognized as the third Panchen Lama.

Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup was born in 1505 AD. Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup is known as the lama in life prior to being recognized as the 1st Panchen Lama.

Life of Lobsang Dondru

Lobsang Dondrup was known to have spent more than 20 years meditating in isolated caves near the Himalayan mountains. When he was a young boy Gyalwa Ensapa received many visions of Buddha Shakyamuni. He also possessed natural clairvoyance and was able to know that people were about to visit his family even when they were still many days’ journey away.

Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup is known as dben Sa Pa blo bzang don grub in Tibet.

Iconography of Lobsang Dondrup

In the iconography of Lobsang Dondrup, we are going to learn about his body posture, hand and leg gesture, and different representations of Lobsang Dondrup in thangka and statue.

Lobsang Dondrup is elegantly attired in the patched saffron robes of a fully ordained monk. Lobsang Dondrup wears on the head a yellow flat folded Pandita hat. Lobsang Dondrup has two hands.

The right hand of Lobsang Dondrup holds a vajra to the heart. The left hand of Lobsang Dondrup holds a bell turned up in the lap. Lobsang Dondrup is on a cushion and backrest of ornate brocades.

He is above a modest square throne with a side table supporting a plate of wishing jewels and a begging bowl of healing herbs. There is a kneeling monk in front that offers a solitary white lotus blossom against a green pastoral landscape.

Depicting Lama Teacher Lobsang Dondrup Thangka

The thangka of Lama Teacher Lobsang Dondrup is from China. The thangka of LamaTeacher Lobsang Dondrup is made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Lama Teacher Lobsang Dondrup is from Gelug and Buddhist lineages. The size of the painting is 83.82×56.52cm. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Currently, this painting is in the Rubin museum of art.

Vadisimha Manjushri

Vadisimha Manjushri is at the top center of the thangka. Vadisimha Manjushri is the bodhisattva of the Lions Speech. Vadisimha Manjushri is performing the gesture of Dharma teaching while holding the stems of two flower blossoms supporting a wisdom sword and book.

Vadisimha Manjushri is seated on a white lotus above a blue lion with an orange flowing mane.

Yellow Parnashavari

Yellow Parnashavari is presented to the left of the thangka. Yellow Parnashavari is known as the goddess who prevents contagious disease. Yellow Parnashavari has three faces and six hands. Yellow Parnashavari is attired in fresh forest leaves.

Medicine Guru

Medicine Guru is presented below the Yellow Parnashavari in the thangka. Medicine Guru is the blue-sapphire Buddha of Healing.

Simhamukha

Simhamukha is to the right of the thangka. Simhamukha is blue-black in color. Simhamukha is a wrathful Lion Faced Dakini.

Simhamukha is holding a curved knife and skullcap. Simhamukha is surrounded by the fires of pristine awareness.

Shakyamuni Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha is presented below the Simhamukha in the thangka. Shakyamuni Buddha is the teacher of this age. Shakyamuni Buddha is the first of the Three Jewels.

Two Lamas

TwoLamas is presented t the bottom to the left and right of the thangka. They are in a seated position. Two lamas are wearing monastic robes performing gestures of blessing and explication. They are resting on cushion seats.

Lobsang Dondrup with Chokyi Dorje Thangka

The thangka of Lama Teacher Lobsang Dondrup with Chokyi Dorje is from Tibet. The thangka of Lama Teacher Lobsang Dondrup with Chokyi Dorje is made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Lama Teacher Lobsang Dondrup is from Gelug and Kadam lineages.  The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton.

Chokyi Dorje is presented at the top left of the thangka.  Chokyi Dorje is in a rainbow sphere. Chokyi Dorje was born near the Shangpa Kagyu monastery Tanak Dorjeden in 1457 to two wandering ascetics from the Tsongkha region of Amdo.

His father was named Kunga Gyelpo and his mother was Peldzom. He spent his childhood on pilgrimage, ending at age eleven when his parents brought him to Ganden Namgyeling.

Mahachakra Vajrapani

Mahachakra Vajrapani is presented at the top right of the thangka. Vajrapani Mahachakra is known as chag na dor je kor lo chen poin Tibet. Mahachakra Vajrapani is known as The Great Wheel Vajra Holder in English.

Yama Dharmaraja

Yama Dharmaraja is presented at the bottom right of the thangka. Yama Dharmaraja is a Tantric Buddhist wisdom deity. Yama Dharmaraja is known as a protector of the Method Class (father) of Anuttaryoga Tantra specifically used by those engaged in the practices of the Vajrabhairava Tantra.

Both Vajrabhairava and Yamadharmaraja are wrathful emanations of Manjushri. Vajrabhairava and Yamadharmaraja are bodhisattvas in Mahayana literature but a tantric deity in Vajrayana Buddhism.