China Tibet Tourism-Introduction-Religion-13

Buddhism Figures

Travelers who visit Tibet certainly will explore one or several monasteries to feel its mysterious Tibetan Buddhism tradition. Inevitably some people will notice various Buddhist figures statues and those in Thangkas and murals. Visitors will be confused in the exotic pantheon. Although many Buddhist figures may have different manifestations, those figures of great importance can be recognized from their iconographic characteristics.
Sakyamuni (fifth century BC) can be found almost in every monastery and on murals and Thangkas. He was a prince in India and the founder of Buddhism. In Tibetan Buddhism, he is usually imaged seated cross legged on a lotus throne, hand in mudras, often with left palm up on his foot while the right palm down on his crossed leg. His right arm and right breast are usually unclothed. He often wears blue and knotted hair. In murals and Thangkas, his head is often circled in a halo.
Avalokiteshvara, called Chenrezi or Chenrezig in Tibetan, is in fact the Bodhisattva of Compassion and another figure of importance. Since he is esteemed as the patron deity of Tibet, his image can be found everywhere. Usually standing, he appears with multi-arms and 11 heads, which is arranged in pyramid shape. However he does appear in other versions and can hardly be recognized.
Tsong Khapa is the founder of Gelugpa and a great reformer. He always sits cross legged, smiling and with his hands in mudras raised before his chest. He usually wears a pointed yellow cap with long flaps. One lotus flower flanks him on each side. Sometimes he is accompanied by his two disciples, who sit beside him.
Four Heavenly Kings are the guardians of the four directions. They usually flank the entrance as large statues or murals, with head circled in flaming fires and in a background of cloud. East has a white face, carrying a musical instrument; South has a blue face, carrying a sword; West has a red face, carrying a stupa or holding a snake while North orange, carrying an umbrella. However in different versions, they may hold different items.