Sculpture

A statue depicting Rölpai Dorje (1717-1786), the most important religious personality during the 18th century Qing-dynasty: Religious instructor of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799); "Teacher of the Empire"; "Lama of the Seal" (tham ka bla ma) the highest rank a Tibetan Buddhist monk could attain in China; a man of numerous distinctions and attainments. Also a man of many names: borne as Dragpa Sonam with a Tibetan name; reincarnated as the second Changkya Huhtugtu with a Mongolian title; known as Lalita Vajra with a Sanskrit name. His achievements were manifold in promoting Tibetan Buddhism; in art and architecture, in establishing and developing monasteries, temples and retreats, in having the Tibetan Kanjur translated into Manchu and other Buddhist collections into Mongolian, in compiling iconographic inventories of the Tibetan pantheon (in 300 and 360 images/icons)..The statue has been made for religious purposes, to be placed on a place for veneration. It belongs to a category of realistic, portrait like depictions of religious masters. A particular physiognomic trait of Rölpai Dorje was the fat lump he had behind his right cheek. It has been clearly rendered on this statue.10. The Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm also possesses a painting (thangka) (1935.50.3113) with Rölpai Dorje at the centre surrounded by his lineage of 16 earlier existences. Rölpai Dorje holds a book in his hand.