Je Tsongkhapa Tibetan Buddhist Handmade Brocade Thangka

This Je Tsongkhapa thangka is made from brocade material. This thangka is 34 inches long and 20 inches wide. This Je Tsongkhapa thangka was handmade in Nepal.

Je Tsongkhapa means, 'the man from onion valley.' Je Tsongkhapa appeared in Tibet and lived there from 1357 to 1419. Je Tsonkhapa was born to a nomadic family. When Je Tsongkhapa was born his mother lost a drop of blood. In that same spot a sandal tree grew, and each of the leaves of that tree was an image of Buddha Sengei Ngaro, who is in the same sphere as Manjushri. So, it is said that Je Tsongkhapa was in the same lineage as Manjushri. Je Tsonkhapa became a novice monk at the age of seven, and then became ordained at age 24. Je Tsonkhapa eventually became a scholar and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and because of his good works is often referred to as the second Buddha. In 1409 Je Tsonkhapa founded the monastery at Ganden, and remained there for the rest of his life.

Je Tsonkhapa showed how to live the Buddhist life, not by miracles, but by good works. By following Je Tsonkhapa's pure dharma his followers are able to attain the same results. Je Tsongkhapa's teachings grew into what is the Geluk (Dge-lugs) school. Je Tsonkhapa's teachings are mainly distinguished for their union of the Sutra and Tantra and for his emphasis on Vinaya (the moral code of discipline). When Je Tsonkhapa passed at the age of 60, he left behind 18 volumes of his teachings. Among Je Tsongkhapa's students are the first Dalai Lama and Gyaltsab Dharma Rinchen.