Note: This large and finely carved sculpture depicts the lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), founder of the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism. He established the Ganden Monastery which became the principal seat of the school. Beginning with Tsongkhapa, the successive Throne Holders of Ganden are the heads of the Gelug Tradition. In this sculpture, his hands are depicted held in vitarkamudra, forming the dharmachakramudra, the gesture of teaching, which is a characteristic mudra of Tsongkhapa, lending support to the identification. For a 15th – 16th century representation of Tsongkhapa in gilt-bronze, see Buddhist Art from Rehol: Tibetan Buddhist Images and Ritual Objects from the Qing Dynasty Summer Palace at Chengde, The Chang Foundation and Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei and Kaohsiung, 1999, no. 21, p. 83, where Tsongkhapa is shown complete with his attributes.