Page 111 - Sotheby's Arts of Asia Paris, June 16, 2022

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PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE 西藏 十六世紀 四薩迦派喇嘛唐卡 設色布本
COLLECTION
來源 :
AN EXCEPTIONAL THANGKA DEPICTING FOUR 前瑞士駐日本大使珍藏
SAKYA LAMAS
倫敦富藝斯，1981年2月4日
TIBET, 16TH CENTURY 紐約蘇富比，2013年3月20日，編號242
distemper on cloth 出版 :
77.7 x 65 cm, 30⅝ by 25⅝ in.
Jeff Watt, https://www.himalayanart.org/items/30922
PROVENANCE
A Swiss Ambassador to Japan.
Phillips, London, 4th February 1981.
Sotheby’s, New York, 20th March 2013, lot 242.
LITERATURE
Jeff Watt, https://www.himalayanart.org/items/30922
Exceptionnel Tangka représentant quatre Sakya lamas, dé-
trempe sur tissu, Tibet, XVIe siècle

‡ 40 000-60 000€

The thangka depicts hierarchs of the Sakya order Lamdre their lives to intensive study, practice, textual composition,
tradition. The inscription along the lower margin identifies and their respective communities of disciples. As members
the four consecutive lineage holders as Shangton Chobar of the aristocratic Khön family of Central Tibet and thus
(1053-1135), upper right, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092- holders of the hereditary Sakya throne, all three were, in
1158), upper left, Sonam Tsemo (1142-1182), lower right, their time, responsible for Sakya Monastery. Sonam Tsemo,
and Dragpa Gyaltsen (1147-1216), lower left. The Indian Sachen’s eldest son and the fourth Sakya tridzin, wrote
mahasiddhas Vijyapa, Naropa and Tilopa are depicted right numerous commentaries on tantra, Sanskrit grammar, and
to left above, and Lokkya Sherab Tse and two lamas identified short expositions of Sakya doctrine. Dragpa Gyaltsen, the
as Pamtingpa appear at the centre between the two fifth Sakya tridzin, was the author of many works of tantric
registers. The Lamdre masters are seated on lotus thrones exegesis, dogmatics, medical treatises, and commentaries
divided by pillars issuing from treasure vases, in the Nepalese on his father’s writings. For further discussion of the lives and
manner. The left and right margins are painted with a cloud accomplishments of Sonam Tsemo and Dragpa Gyaltsen, see
motif and the exposed edges are bound in green silk. The C. Stearns, Luminous Lives: The Story of the Early Masters of
painting is framed above and below with its original blue silk the Lam ‘bras Traditions in Tibet, 2001.
mounts. The painting is one a number of thangkas from a set The inscription on the lower margin may be freely translated
depicting the Lamdre lineage up to around the beginning of as follows:
the sixteenth century, the date of this example. Two further
paintings from the set were formerly in a renowned Swiss Salutations to Nganye Chöbar, the learned one, who, for the
collection, see Galerie Koller, Zürich, Auktion 87/3, June 26, sake of others, works diligently towards realisation; and has
1993, lots 109, 110. thereby obtained power in samadhi, in realisation and in
magical transformation.
Lama Shangton Chobar was a contemporary of the third
Sakya tridzin or throne holder, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo Salutations to Kunga Nyingpo, powerful yogi of the Sakyapa,
th
(1092–1158). In the early 12 century, Sachen spent eight who works continually for the sake of others, because he
years under the tutelage of Shangton Chobar in private possesses great compassion. You, lama of the excellent
retreat, receiving the oral instructions of the Lamdre learned ones, being without obscurity in all knowledge, are a
teachings, per tradition. Shangton Chobar commanded real manifestation of Manjushri. You have (the real nature) of
Sachen to keep these teachings to himself for eighteen all dharmas impressed upon your mind.
years, after which time he was permitted to pass on the Salutations to Sonam Tsemo, excellent friend of all beings,
teachings to his disciples and also commit them to writing. through your vast wisdom, you accomplish actions of
Sachen followed his guru’s instructions, and transmitted the immeasurable merit.
teachings to his disciples, including his sons Sonam Tsemo
and Drakpa Gyaltsen. Salutations to Drakpa Gyaltsen, lord of all the vajradhara, who
has gone over to the other shore of the ocean of tantra, seeing
Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, Sonam Tsemo and Drakpa Gyaltsen the essence of all dharmas.
are the first three of the ‘Five Great Sakya Masters’, and
the founding patriarchs of the Sakya order in Tibet. Indeed, With special thanks to Dr. Heather Stoddard and Jeff Watt
Sakya Monastery was itself founded by Sachen’s father, Khön for their scholarship and kind assistance in researching this
painting and translating the inscriptions.
Konchok Gyalpo (1034-1102). Both of Sachen’s sons were,
like their father, scholars and practitioners, who dedicated

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