Eighth Tai Situ Chokyi Jungne

CHINA, Sichuan, Garze

Situ Panchen Chokyi Jungne, the Eighth Tai Situ Rinpoche, was an important monastic figure in Tibetan history. In addition, he was an influential painter and linguist. He was born in Derge, Garze. At the age of eight, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Seventh Tai Situ Rinpoche, and was brought to Tsurphu Monastery for enthronement. He received teachings and studied philosophy and medicine under the Twelfth Karmapa Jangchub Dorje, Eighth Shamar Chokyi Dondrup, and Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu. He was also an unsurpassed artist who was responsible for the development of the Karma Gadri school of painting.
Chokyi Jungne traveled extensively to various regions and provinces around Tibet, constructing and restoring monasteries. He designed and managed the reconstruction of Palpung Monastery in Derge in 1727, in addition to supervising the painting of the murals inside. Under his guidance, the monastery eventually became the center of the Karma Kagyu school, which consequently served as the location where Karma Gadri artists were nurtured.
While in China, Chokyi Jungne learned Chinese language and medicine. He also diligently studied Chinese painting styles, and was strongly influenced by masters such as Menla Dondrub of the Menri school, Khyentse Chenmo of the Khyentse school, and the Tenth Karmapa Choying Dorje. He was an adamant researcher who enjoyed experimenting with different painting styles to create new and innovative works. Eventually, he established the new Karma Gadri school which was exemplified by figures that were delicate and backgrounds that were filled with washed landscapes over vibrant colors.
Major works by Chokyi Jungne include the numerous murals and thangkas preserved in Palpung Monastery, as well as a set of 30 narrative paintings on the One Hundred and Eighty Morality Tales from Kshemendra, and a set of the Eight Great Mahasiddhas thangkas.