20
Apr
2020
Interpreting Panchen Lama
Lobzang Palden Yeshe is known as the 3rd Panchen Lama who was born in 1738 in Tashitse, Shang district, Tsang Province.
Panchen Lama is one of the most important figures in the Gelug tradition, with its spiritual authority second only to Dalai Lama.
Table of Contents
The Viability of the Panchen Lama
In this portion, we are going to learn about the viability of the Panchen Lama. After that short etymological description of the word Panchen Lama itself, and finally we will learn about the sutras and tantras from Dalai lama.
Panchen Lama is one of the most important figures in the Gelug tradition, with its spiritual authority second only to Dalai Lama
Etymology of Panchen lama
Panchen Lama is known as paN Chen bla ma in Tibet.
Panchen Lama is a tulku of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Panchen is a portmanteau of “Pandita” and “Chenpo”, meaning “Great scholar”.
Sutras and tantras from Dalai Lama
From time to time the Dalai Lama received many special instructions on sutras and tantras from the Panchen. Following an invitation from the Manchu Emperor Qianlong, he traveled to China in 1779 and gave the Emperor many teachings and instructions. The Emperor appointed him his spiritual preceptor and showed him much respect. Many honors were also granted him.
Earlier, we studied the Viability of Panchen lama. Now we are going to learn about the Depicting Panchen Lama.
Depicting Panchen lama
The thangka of Panchen Lama is from China. It was made in between 1700 AD to 1799 AD. It is from the Gelug lineage. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Presently, this painting is in the Rubin Museum of Art.
By Depicting this thangka, we will see how Panchen lama is presented with Amitabha Buddha, Seventh Dalai Lama, Uhnishavijaya, Mahachakra Vajrapani, Chaturbhuja Mahakala, Shadbhuja Mahakala, Vaishravana and Shadbhuja Mahakala and Shri Devi, etc.
Amitabha Buddha
Amitabha Buddha is on the right of the thangka. Surrounded the central figure there is the previous Panchen Lama incarnations.
Seventh Dalai Lama
Seventh Dalai Lama with Vajrabhairava, Akshobhyavajra Guhyasamaja Chaturbhuja Lokeshvara is at the top center of the thangka.
Ushnishavijaya
Uhnishavijaya is on the left side of the thangka.
Mahachakra Vajrapani
Mahachakra Vajrapani, Chakrasamvara, Manjushri, and Sitatapatra is on the right of the thangka.
Chaturbhuja Mahakala
Chaturbhuja Mahakala is on the left of the throne in the thangka.
Vaishravana and Shadbhuja Mahakala
Vaishravana Riding a Lion is on the right of the thangka. Shadbhuja Mahakala, Green Tara, and White Tara are in front of either side of the thangka.
Shri Devi
Begtse Chen, Yama Dharmaraja, Shri Devi Magzor Gyalmo, and Pal Lhamo Lakshmi along with the bottom beginning on the left of the thangka.
Earlier, we studied the Viability of Panchen lama and depicting Panchen Lama. Now we are going to learn about the presentation of PanchelLama with Amitabha Buddha.
Panchen Lama with Amitabha Thangka
Panchen Lama with Amitabha Buddha was painted around 1800-1899 AD. The size of this painting is70.49×41.91cm. The base of the painting is cotton and the ground mineral pigment is used to color it. Panchen lama belongs to Gelug Lineage. This Masterpiece Thangka Art is still preserved and kept in the Rubin Museum of Art.
By depicting this thangka we will learn the presentation of Panchen Lama with Vajrabhairava, Dorje Setrap, and Chingkarwa, etc.
Lobzang Palden Yeshe was the 3rd Panchen Lama and the brother of the 10th Shamarpa. The Panchen Lama received teachings from the 7th Dalai Lama and recognized the 8th Dalai Lama. As the teacher of the Manchu emperor Qianlong, the Panchen Lama spent time in China and passed away in Beijing in the year 1780.
At the top center of the Panchen Lama, there is the Buddha Amitabha with the fierce meditational deity.
Vajrabhairava
Vajrabhairava is at the left of the Panchen Lama in the thangka.
Dorje Setrap and Chingkarwa
Enlightened protector Shri Devi Magzor Gyalmo with the worldly protectors Dorje Setrap is at the bottom center of the Panchen Lama. And Chingkarwa is on the right of the thangka.
Earlier, we studied the Viability of Panchen lama and depicting Panchen Lama, and representation of Panchen Lama with Amitabha Buddha Nower are going to learn about the presentation of Panchen Lama with Mahakala.
Panchen Lama with Mahakala Thangka
Panchen Lama with Mahakala was painted around 1800-1899 AD. The size of this painting is87.63×54.61cm. The base of the painting is cotton and the ground mineral pigment is used to color it. Panchen lama belongs to Gelug Lineage. This Masterpiece Thangka Art is still preserved and kept in the Rubin Museum of Art.
By depicting this thangka we will learn the presentation of Panchen Lama with Heruka Vajrabhairava and Shadbhuja Mahakala, etc.
Lobzang Palden Yeshe who is known as the 3rd Panchen Lama.
Heruka Vajrabhairava and Shadbhuja Mahakala
Heruka Vajrabhairavae’s presence at the top right of the Panchen Lama in the thangka. Shadbhuja Mahakala is at the bottom center of the Panchen Lama in the thangka. Sadbhuja Mahakala who has six hands.
Previously, we studied the Viability of Panchen lama and depicting Panchen Lama, representation of Panchen Lama with Amitabha Buddha, and representation of Panchen Lama with Mahakala. Now, we are going to learn about the presentation of Panchen Lama with White Tara.
Panchen Lama with White Tara Thangka
Panchen Lama with White Tara was painted around 1700-1799 AD. The base of the painting is cotton and the ground mineral pigment is used to color it. Panchen lama belongs to Gelug and Buddhist Lineage. This thangka is from a private collection.
By depicting this thangka we will learn the presentation of Panchen Lama with Vajradhara Buddha, Je Tsongkapa Lobzang Dragpa, Kalzang Gyatso, Amitayus Buddha, etc.
At the heart of the Panchen Lama, there is an image of Shakyamuni Buddha. Panchen Lama wears the yellow Pandita hat typical of the Gelug tradition and the robes of a fully ordained on the right hand of the Panchen Lama are raised in a gesture of blessing while holding the stem of an Utpala flower supporting an upright sword of wisdom.
The left hand of the Panchen Lama is placed palm up in the lap, supports a long-life vase adorned with the Sanskrit letter ‘HRIH’ written in Tibetan script. The left also holds the stem of a lotus flower blossoming above the left shoulder supporting a book – representing the Prajnaparamita Sutra.
Vajradhara Buddha
Vajradhara Buddha is at the heart of Shakyamuni. Vajradhara Buddha is a small figure of who is blue in color with the hands crossed at the heart in an embracing gesture.
Je Tsongkapa Lobzang Dragpa
Je Tsongkapa Lobzang Dragpa is at top left corner who is known as the founder of the Gelug Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Kalzang Gyatso
Kalzang Gyatso is at the top right of the thangka. Kalzang Gyatso is called the 7th Dalai Lama holding a wheel in the left hand and a white lotus with the right supporting a sword and book.
Amitayus Buddha
Amitayus Buddha is at the lower left and right sides of the thangka. Amitayus Buddha is red in color.
Previously, we studied the Viability of Panchen lama and depicting Panchen Lama, representation of Panchen Lama with Amitabha Buddha, and representation of Panchen Lama with Mahakala. And finally, we studied about the representation of Panchen Lama with White Tara.
Vajrakilaya Thangka
Vajrakilaya is the wrathful Heruka Vajrakilaya is the yidam deity. This Thangka is handpainted in Bhaktapur Nepal by Master Thangka Artist.
