Rumtek Monastery: Gelug Lineage Tree

INDIA, Sikkim

The central figure in this painting is Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school. His Dharma transmission lineage is presented in the form of a refuge tree. Such paintings are used during meditation to visualize and take refuge in spiritual ancestors. Tsongkhapa wears a ceremonial hat and a monastic robe, forms the vitarka (teaching) mudra, and holds an alms bowl. He is surrounded by a mandorla from which lines of rainbow colors extend out on both sides and end below two groups of figures. The group on the left are the patriarchs of the Yogacara school, including Maitreya Bodhisattva, Asanga, and Vasubandhu. The patriarchs of the Madhyamika school, including Manjusri Bodhisattva, Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, and Candrakirti, are on the right. Above Tsongkhapa, figures from the Kadam school are arranged in five columns. Tsongkhapa was known to have great respect for Atisa, the founder of this school. Two shrines are depicted in the upper corners. Below Tsongkhapa, there is a group of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, disciples, and Dharma protectors.