Gongbu Chabu

CHINA, Inner Mongolia, East Ujimqin Banner; Qing dynasty

Also known by his Mongolian name, Gombojab, Gongbu Chabu was a famous scholar and sculptor. He was well-versed in the five sciences, which are craftsmanship, healing, music, Buddhist logic, and inner realization. Born into a family of nobility, Gongbu inherited his father’s title of Fuguogong, and was addressed as a Duke.
As he was fluent in many languages, including Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian, and Sanskrit, Gongbu was appointed as the head administrator of the Tibetan Studies Institute, and was responsible for the Translation Department. He translated the Tibetan Pratimalaksana Sutra into Chinese in 1742. The sutra documents the correct measurements and proportions for sculpting statues of the Buddha. As he found the Tibetan version too brief, Gongbu eventually wrote a collection of three additional texts; Preface to the Pratimalaksana Sutra, Commentary on the Pratimalaksana Sutra, and Continuation of the Pratimalaksana Sutra. The first appended text includes ten pages that provides a historical background of Tibetan statues. It further illustrates specific dimensions and facial expressions for depicting the Buddha and Boddhisavattas in Tibetan style. Commentary on the Pratimalaksana Sutra details dimensions that are based on the descriptions of himself given by the Buddha to Sariputra. The third text specifies the appropriate portrayal of Dakas, Dakinis, Dharma protectors, and arhats, in addition to proper dimensions for mandalas, stupas, hand gestures, Tibetan style robes, and Dharma instruments. This particular collection of written works by Gongbu quickly became the standard for Tibetan art reference during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795). In addition, he assisted with the compilation of a Tibetan-Mongolian dictionary and translated various other texts including, Verses of Maitreya Bodhisattva’s Vow, and Liturgy for Making Offerings to the Seven Medicine Buddha’s, the Wish-Fulfilling Kings, all of which were included in the Tibetan Canon.