Section of a satin appliqué; total length approx. 600 cm.; loan from the National Museum, Paro
Pema Karpo was one of the greatest Drukpa scholars, himself the reincarnation of Tsangpa Gyare, the founder of the Drukpa school. The question concerning the reincarnation of Pema Karpo’s significantly influenced Bhutan's history.
Thangka, appliqué and embroidery; early 20th century; size: 428 x 307 cm.; loan from the National Museum, Paro
The Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel is seated in the center, on the left stands the first Bhutanese Je Khenpo*, Pekar Jugne (1604-1672), on the right, the first regent, Desi* Tenzin Drugye (1591-1656). In the second row from the top, to the left, is Naropa, the 10th century Indian master, and on the right, Tsangpa Gyare (1161-1211), founder of the Drukpa Kagyupa school of Buddhism. Directly beneath the Shabdrung is one of his incarnations. The person in the bottom row to the right is the Shabdrungs father, Tenpe Nyima (1567-1619).