Silver gilded statue of Master Zhang Jia of the Third Generation

[Silver gilded statue of the Third Zhangjia National Master]

Silver gilded statue of the Third Zhangjia National Master, in the 51st year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1786), with a height of 75 centimeters
Zhangjia Hutuktu was the only national teacher granted by the Qing Dynasty emperor in the field of Tibetan Buddhism, one of the four living Buddhas of the Yellow Sect, and the largest reincarnated living Buddha in Monan Mongolia, which was passed on for six generations in the Qing Dynasty. Among them, the most famous one is the third generation Zhangjia (1717-1786), who was born in Ruobiduoji. He was born in Liangzhou, Gansu Province, and sat in bed at the Guolong Temple (later known as the Youning Temple) in Xining, Qinghai Province at the age of 4. In the second year of Yongzheng’s reign (1724), he entered Beijing and served as an imperial envoy for many times, representing the imperial court in handling important Mongolian and Tibetan affairs, playing an important role in the peace of the border areas and national harmony. Zhang Jia is a knowledgeable master of Tibetan Buddhism, who has devoted his life to promoting Buddhism. Under the special national cultural background, his profound Buddhist attainments, his lofty status as a living Buddha, and especially his close relationship with the emperor made him not only play a role as a religious leader in politics, but also have a greater impact on Tibetan and Chinese Buddhist cultural exchanges. Zhang Jia was a great Buddhist translator in the Qing Dynasty. He was proficient in Chinese, Manchu, Mongolian and Tibetan languages. He once presided over the translation, revision and writing of various Buddhist scriptures such as the Manchu Tripitaka and the Mongolian Tripitaka, which became a major event in the cultural history of the Qing Dynasty
This statue is a silver plated gold statue made by Emperor Qianlong after the death of Zhang Jia in April of the 51st year of Qianlong’s reign (1786). It was consecrated in the east side hall of Yuhua Pavilion in the shadow hall. This portrait is realistic and beautifully crafted, making it a masterpiece of the Qianlong court’s office.