Tsong Khapa, Founder of the Geluk Order
Unknown Artist
c. 1440–70
Medium
Gum tempera and gold on cotton
Dimensions
91.5 × 75 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1981.33
About this artwork
The Buddhist order to which the Dalai Lamas belong was founded by Tsong Khapa (1357–1419), whose image is seen here as the large central figure holding his hands in the teaching mudra. He wears the pointed golden hat that is the insignia for monks of the Geluk order. At the level of his ears are the sword and book, emblems of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom. These emblems allude to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition that accorded Tsong Khapa the status of being an emanation of Manjushri. This e...