Origins of Panchen Lama — Sonan Chalang Thangka

[Origins of Panchen Lama — Suonan Chalang Thangka]

Origins of Panchen Lama — Suonan Chalang Thangka, 18th century, Tibet, Buben, colored, 126 cm long, 75 cm wide, 70 cm vertical and 42 cm horizontal. The old collection of the Qing Palace
Sonan Chalang (1439-1504) is the second Panchen Lama, a post-Tibetan Ensa, who became a monk in Gandan Temple. His name is Sonan Chalang, or Sonan Chalang for short. It is said that when he was a child, he was extremely intelligent, able to trace the deeds of Panchen I before his death, diligent and studious, proficient in the two sects of Xianmi, and obtained the degree of Gesi. After reaching middle age, Suonan Chalang stayed at Xiyingeng Temple, specializing in meditation. It passed away on March 25, the 17th year of the reign of Emperor Hongzhi of the Ming Dynasty (1504), and was later recognized as the second Panchen Lama
In the middle of the Thangka is Sonangchalang, wearing a yellow monk’s cap and cassock, sitting on the rock seat to make a statement. On the upper left of the painting is the Manjusri Vajra, the master of his practice, and on the upper right is the scene of his shave praised by his guru Pasuo Qujie. The lower right shows the auspicious heavenly mother. At the bottom of the Thangka, there is gold written in Tibetan, which means: “I was given a blessing cassock by Kongka, and I saw the face of the auspicious celestial daughter in person, and I got the achievement of Manjusri Vajra. Master Suonan Chalang saluted me!”