c. 15th century

Four Sakya Lamas in Light Robes with Lam-dre Lineage

These four lamas are dressed in light, warm-weather robes. The large figure at upper left is probably Ngorchen Kunga Sangpo (1382–1457) who founded the great Ngor monastery, famous for its Newari-style painting tradition. The lama at lower right may be Buddhashri (1173–1225), an Indian Buddhist scholar who spent most of his life teaching in central and western Tibet. At the bottom in the center is the blue, fierce protector-deity Mahakala. Here he holds a pole that identifies him as "Mahakala of the Tent," a form that is particularly revered by the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism.