Gold statue of Tsongkhapa, Qing dynasty, 46th year of the Qianlong reign (1781)-China Archive

Image Number: C1D000088N000000000PAB
Dynasty: Qing dynasty
Category: Miscellaneous objects
Function: Magic instrument
Material: Minerals/Metals/Gold
Description:
The Sixth Panchen Lama (1738-1780), to celebrate the 70th birthday of Emperor Gaozong, set out from Tashilhunpo Temple in June of the 44th year of Qianlong reign (1779), and presented at Chengde Summer Resort at the end of July of the next year. A “Three Realms Dharma King Zongkaba Statue and Golden Seat” can be seen in the list of gifts. Unfortunately, the sixth Panchen Lama died in Beijing on the second day of November that year due to the dyeing of smallpox. In order to commemorate his application, the Emperor Qianlong ordered the office to rebuild three Zongkaba statues consecrated by the Panchen Lama in the following year. Among them, two are bronze alloy statues, which are now stored in the Forbidden City of Beijing; This is the only pure gold statue, which was originally used for the summer resort. According to the inscription on the back of the backlight, this piece was cast in the model gold of Tibet in April 1781, the 46th year of Qianlong reign. Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) hands