Page 66 - Bonhams May 11th 2017 London Thangka Collection

22 (inscriptions)
The reverse of the painting has the following inscription:
‘The sole combined form of the compassion of all conquerors,
The worship object of all conquerors,
The only source of all conquerors;
May all the conquerors bestow blessings.
Especially bestow the vast expanse conqueror - the single father.
The sound of the [Dharma] drum fills all the realm,
This holy supreme realm of Jamgon Lama;
Please [come and] sit on the crown of my head.
... Finally, may I be born in this supreme realm.’
Sarva mangalam.
Translation by J.Watt & K.Gellek, February 2017
This thangka shows Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) emanating from the
heart of Manjushri in Tushita Heaven. Believed to be an incarnation of painting of Tsongkhapa in Khedrup’s vision, 19th century, illustrated by
the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, he is flanked by the lotus supporting the
Book of Transcendent Wisdom and the Sword of Critical Wisdom.
Before him is a table with offerings and objects symbolising the Five
Senses and the Five Components whose synthesis produces the sixth
sense of transcendental intelligence (bodhi). Beside the offerings are
his two principal students, Gyaltsab and Khedrup.
64 | BONHAMS
After Tsongkhapa’s death, his disciple Khedrup (1385-1438) had five
visions of his teacher over five days, four of which are depicted in this
thangka: as Manjushri Simhanada riding a white lion; in his normal
form riding a white elephant; on a throne resting on a cloud carried
by deities; and as an Indian ascetic riding a tiger; see M.M.Rhie and
R.Thurman, Worlds of Transformation: Tibetan Art of Wisdom and
Compassion, 1999, New York, p.355.
In the lower left corner, Yamantaka and his sister Yami watch over the
seven precious possessions of the universal sovereign (Cakravartin).
On the bottom right is Dorje Legpa on a white lion.
Compare with a similar painting of Tsongkhapa in Khedrup’s vision,
Labrang Monastery, Amdo Province, 18th/19th century, illustrated by
D.P.Jackson, The Place of Provenance: Regional Styles in Tibetan
Painting, New York, 2012, p.124. See also another very similar
A.Neven, Lamaistic Art, Brussels, 1975, pl.128.
A thangka of Tsongkhapa in Khedrup’s vision, 19th century, was sold
at Sotheby’s New York, 14 September 2016, lot 160.