Longdol Lama Ngawang Lobzang

CHINA, Tibet, Qamdo

Longdol Lama Ngawang Lobzang was a monk and an artist who entered the monastic order in Jampaling Monastery at the age of seven. He was granted novice vows when he was 12 years old and went on to study logic at Litang Monastery. By the age of 24, he went to Sera Monastery where he studied the sutras and culture of Buddhism. His education also included instruction from 13 Buddhist masters, among whom was the Seventh Dalai Lama and the Sixth Panchen Lama. Ngawang Lobzang was fully ordained as a monk at the age of 30 and subsequently undertook a pilgrimage in the Tsang region. During his travels, he encountered more masters under whom he received instruction. Overall, he is said to have studied with or received instruction from over 40 masters during his lifetime.
Ngawang Lobzang was known to have engaged in a multitude of religious practices including meditation and rituals, as well as giving and receiving teachings, initiations, and transmissions. He painted Mount Sumeru, Shambhala, and the Triple Gem Artifacts, among other subjects, in addition to writing various books and dictionaries. In total, he authored 32 collections including Record of Well-Known Buddhists and Record of Well-Known Donors. These collections, which were engraved and block printed, are considered to be among the most valuable historical artifacts created by an eminent monk in Tibet.