Embroidery of Tsongkhapa

CHINA; Qing dynasty

The composition of this piece consists of a centrally located image of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school, and scenes from his life. He wears a tall yellow hat and a monastic robe, and performs the Dharmacakra (Dharma wheel) mudra. On each side of Tsongkhapa, there are lotuses that extend to his shoulders that hold up a sutra and a sword. These are the same objects held by Manjusri Bodhisattva, of whom Tsongkhapa is said to be a manifestation. He sits on a lotus throne and is surrounded by a nimbus, a mandorla, and cloud patterns. There are approximately 15 depictions of scenes from his life, bordered by trees or clouds. The debate scene above the nimbus is particularly energetic, and is an important feature of the composition; debating is an important part of monastic training in a Gelug monastery.