Tsongkhapa

CHINA; Qing dynasty

Tsongkhapa sits on a lotus throne with his hands in Dharmacakra (Dharma wheel) mudra. Long stems of lotuses that blossom well above shoulder height on either side extend from his folded hands. Supported on the lotuses are the attributes that the Master shares with the Bodhisattva Manjusri, a sword on the left and a scripture on the right. The figure wears a headdress with a lotus base and a figure of Cakrasamvara surrounded by a hollow mandorla. Tsongkhapa’s throne sits on a jeweled rectangular base supported by lions.
The mandorla is a magnificent composition featuring a tree in full flower, interspersed with heavenly beings, clouds, and heavenly banners. There are inlays of semi-precious stones and pearls, and a small parasol crowns the top. Inscriptions on the back in Chinese, Manchurian, Mongolian, and Tibetan state the statue was a gift to the Imperial Palace from the Sixth Panchen Lama in 1781. The statue is hollow and contains relics and reliquaries.