This 8.5″ Guru Tsongkhapa statues set is fully fire gilded in 24K gold — all three figures finished with fine hand-carved engravings and hand-painted faces — handcrafted in Patan, Nepal by master Newar artisans using the traditional lost wax sculpting method. The set depicts Je Tsongkhapa at the center with his two principal disciples, Gyaltsabje and Khedrubje, flanking him on either side. Discover Tsongkhapa and his two disciples in our complete guide to Tibetan Guru statues.
Guru Tsongkhapa (1357–1419 CE) founded the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism in the 15th century and is revered as a human emanation of Manjushri — the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. His disciple Gyaltsabje is regarded as an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. His disciple Khedrubje is regarded as an emanation of Vajrapani, the Bodhisattva of Power. Together the three figures embody the same trinity of qualities — wisdom, compassion, and power — represented by Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, and Vajrapani in the broader Mahayana tradition, here incarnated as historical human teachers within the Gelug lineage. This is why the trio format is the standard and most complete presentation of Tsongkhapa: the single figure expresses his identity as Manjushri’s emanation, while the trio expresses the full range of enlightened qualities that his school transmits.
Guru Tsongkhapa Statues Set Features
All three figures are wearing the robes of fully ordained Buddhist monks. We can include yellow pandita hats for Guru Tsongkhapa and his two disciples upon request. Tsongkhapa at the center displays the Dharmachakra mudra — the Wheel of Dharma gesture — with the sword of wisdom rising from the lotus over his right shoulder and the Prajnaparamita Sutra resting in the lotus over his left, affirming his identity as the emanation of Manjushri’s wisdom. Tibetan Buddhist tradition holds that Shakyamuni Buddha prophesied Tsongkhapa’s appearance — that an emanation of Manjushri would arise in the Land of the Snows, establish a joyful land, and serve as its protector. That joyful land is Ganden Monastery (dGa’-ldan), founded by Tsongkhapa in 1409 CE near Lhasa, the mother monastery of the Gelug tradition that continues today under the spiritual leadership of the 14th Dalai Lama.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue and ritual item is handcrafted in Patan, Nepal, using traditional lost wax casting and comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by Nepal's Department of Archaeology, verifying its materials, technique, and origin.
