The Three Tsongkhapa Masters

<正>The three Tsongkhapa masters refer to the Guru Tsongkhapa Losang Drakpa,and his two top students: Gyalstsab Darma Rinchen and Khedrup Geleg Palzang.These thr...     

THE PATTERN OF SEVEN ROYAL EMBLEMS

A mong traditional Tibetan architectural designs, the Seven Royal Emblems pattern is a relatively common design. Because of its symbolic meaning, this pattern is not as widely used as the Eight Auspicious signs design. The Seven Royal Emblems include Precious Wheel, Precious Jewel, Precious Queen, Precious Minister, Precious Elephant, Precious Horse and Precious General. This pattern reflects a peaceful and mighty ancient India during the reign of King of the Turning Wheel. When this pattern is used as a symbol in daily life,     

Illustration of Two Paintings： Atra Leading an Elephant and a Mongolian Riding a Tiger

The images Atra Leading an Elephant and A Mongolian Riding a Tiger are paintingsloved by Tibetans. In old Tibet, the two images were seen most on both sides of the house gate of senior monks, or on both walls of the corridors to the shrines in some monasteries. They were less often found in secular buildings and almost never in the yards of common people. Therefore, we can infer that except for the injunction to avoid evil and make money, the images also stand for power and eminence.     

THE THREE MASTERS OF JO OLDRUM

The ＂three masters of Jo Oldrum＂ refers to Guru Jo Olgyal Palden Atisha and his two disciples： Drumdompa Gyaiwarongne and O1 Lepal Sherab who lived in the 10th Century. In Thangka and frescos, Guru Atisha sits in the middle, and his two disciples on either side. Such works are commonly found in the shrines of Tibetan monasteries. All three were initiated into the Sect of Kadam in Tibetan Buddhism during the 10th Century.     

VILLAGE-BASED LITTLE CHAPELS IN TIBET

<正>In the vast rural areas of Tibet there are many simple religious shrines.Though these sites are not as splendid and their Buddha statues are not as elaborate...     

THE FIVE SAKYA PATRIARCHS

When the Five Sakya Patriarchs are mentioned, no one will neglectto mention the Sakya Sect, one of the four greatest sects in Tibetan Buddhism. The Sakya Sect, later than the Nyingma Sect, has dominated Tibet for nearly a hundred years during the Yuan Dynasty. The Five Sakya Patriarchs are milestones in the history of the sect.     

THE THREE PADMASAMBHAVE MASTERS

Padmasambhava was an eminent monk from the 8th Century around the area of Udyana, India(in today’s Pakistan).As a Vajrayana master and a powerful devil fighter,he inherited the spirit of"the Sect of Indra Pudi",Indian Buddhist Vajrayana,and was well known for his supernatural powers and conjuring skills.In Tibetan Buddhism,Padmasambhava is addressed respectfully as Norben Rinpoche(Master of Criterion),Guru