Untitled

Unknown

late 16th century · Distemper and gold on cloth · Asian Art

This thangka belongs to a set of portraits entitled the “Path with the Fruit Gurus and Ngor Abbots.” Munchen Sangye Rinchen, the abbot of Ngor monastery (1513–16), holds a book and sits on a lion throne under a lobed arch studded with lotus buds. Immediately above is the Buddha attaining enlightenment, accompanied by additional Buddhist deities and patriarchs of the Sakya monastic lineage. In the lower register are red and blue wrathful protective deities and the four lokapalas, or guardian kings, shown in yellow. During this abbot’s tenure, the monastery was at the zenith of its power, holding political control over the Ü and Tsang provinces of central and western Tibet.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 16th century

Medium

Distemper and gold on cloth

Culture

Tibet

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1971