Tonla Tsewang

CHINA, Sichuan, Garze

Tonla Tsewang, also known by his Dharma name of Karma Lodro Ozer, was a Tibetan scholar, monk, and artist, as well as a native of Derge, Garze in Kham. He was a representative of the Karma Gadri school of painting who became interested in the art at the age of 10 when he received a gift of two paintings from his uncle. By age 14, he renounced at Palpung Monastery in Derge. Having studied under famous painters such as Jamyang Serding and Serthog Tsonshe, he quickly developed matured painting skills. In addition, he was proficient in the creation of clay and wood sculptures. He had a total of over 1,000 disciples who beheld him with the utmost respect.
The painting of the murals in the central hall of Palpung Monastery was led by Tonla Tsewang when he was over 70 years old. He also completed the restoration and repainting of the murals at Derge Monastery and Palyul Monastery in Derge, and Chakra Monastery in Lhasa. Even after he turned 85 years old, he was still involved in the sculpting of temple sculptures including the large bronze sculpture of Maitreya Buddha at Palpung Monastery.
Artwork by Tonla Tsewang include 100 images of Vajrasattva in the central hall of Palpung Monastery, as well as a series of Vajrapani woodblock prints on the top floor. Also in Palpung Monastery is a depiction of the Four Heavenly Kings and the Wheel of Rebirth at the main entrance, several thangkas of Sakyamuni Buddha, a set of biographical thangkas of Kagyu school masters.
His scholarly writings include History of Tibetan Paintings, Twelve Zodiac Signs, Poetry in Praise of Manjusri Bodhisattva, History of Tibetan Medicine, and History of Palpung Monastery.