Emperor Qianlong’s Buddha Costume Thangka

[Emperor Qianlong Buddha Costume Thangka]

Emperor Qianlong Buddha Costume Thangka, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, 117 centimeters vertically and 71 centimeters horizontally. The old collection of the Qing Palace
In the painting, Emperor Qianlong is dressed in a red cassock and wearing a yellow Banzhida hat. He sits on a three-layer cushion with a cross, holding a Dharma wheel in his left hand, and applying a statement seal in his right hand. His demeanor is solemn and serene, and his facial description is clear and realistic. Below is the lotus throne protected by elephants, with 10 blooming lotus flowers and green leaves forming a backlight. In front of the lotus seat, there is written Tibetan language to the effect that “Manjusri Bodhisattva incarnates, the Great Virtuous Dharma King.”. The left side of the seat is the Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and the right side is the Tripitaka Bodhisattva. Above the head and in the middle of the sky are painted 25 Yellow Sect ancestors of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Bodhisattvas. In front of the seat is a square pool of lotus flowers in full bloom, surrounded by 15 monks. The lower boundary is painted with three Dharma Protectors: the Great Black Sky, the Auspicious Heavenly Mother, and the Demon Subduing Yan Zun
This painting focuses on portraying Emperor Qianlong as the incarnation of Manjusri Bodhisattva surrounded by lotus flowers and gods, wearing Lama costumes to show his respect for Tibetan Buddhism. This is a representative work of Thangka created in the mainland in the 18th century.