Potala Palace Red Palace Great West Hall: Biography of the Fifth Dalai Lama

CHINA, Tibet, Lhasa

These late 17th century murals cover 200 sq m of the walls of the Great West Hall of the Red Palace. Scenes from the life of the Fifth Dalai Lama are arranged in an orderly series around six large Buddha and Bodhisattva figures. Within the scenes, there are images of palaces and temples, important historical events, and notable figures of the time. The murals are an important record of Tibetan history and architecture.
The Fifth Dalai Lama’s meeting with Emperor Shunzhi (reigned 1644–1661) of the Qing dynasty is painted in the lower register of the east wall. There are depictions of the start of the journey to China, the journey itself, the arrival in Beijing, and the meeting with the emperor. In one of the scenes, the Dalai Lama and the emperor sit side by side on thrones, appearing to converse. Below them, the small figures of lamas and ministers are shown sitting in small groups on carpets.