IDNO

P.97062.WIL

Description

On Cech’s list describing prints:
“(58-135 where taken in Lhasa.)
121. “At Kunphela's town house 15.9.33”
121c/d. “Kunphel La at his town house.
See ww: Surkhang-se, Ringang, Monk Director, Kunphela, Norbhu, Tutok, Tashi Dondup, Tennant, Chang-lo-chen” [printed text]
For more information see Cech’s list.

A formal individual portrait of Kunphela taken on the roof of his house in Lhasa. He wears the classic long-sleeved broadcloth robes, held around the waist with a sash, and tucked in under the right arm. He faces the camera, smiling. On the roof behind him is a large gold conical roof decoration, and behind that a cloth victory banner adorned with a flaming trident can be seen.

Place

C Asia; Tibet; Lhasa

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Kunphela

Photographer

Williamson, Frederick

Collector / Expedition

Date

15 September 1933

Collection Name

Williamson Collection

Source

Williamson, Margaret

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Transcription: The transcription of this album by Mark Turin and Sara Shneiderman was carried out with reference to Krystina Cech’s catalogue list alone. Alex Nadin has since revised their cataloguing by systematically matching their records to the images. Margaret Williamson’s handwritten captions for photographs have now been transcribed into the Inscription field, and Cech’s descriptions appear in the Description field. Correct entries for Place, Named Person and Other Nos. have also been entered by Alex Nadin. [Sudeshna Guha 29/10/2002]

Biographical Information: For further information on Kuphela see the Biographies File. [CJ 3/9/2008]

Place: Entry previously recorded place as “Asia; Central Asia; Tibet”, but Kunphela’s house is in Lhasa the record has been amended accordingly. [JD 23/1/2007]

Context: The Banner of Victory (rgyal-mtshan) is a cylindrical layered banner and is a Buddhist object symbolizing victory over ignorance and death. The Victory Banner was traditionally carried in battle on the back of chariots, with great warriors would often having their own emblems.
“In early Buddhism, the banner represented Buddha's victorious enlightenment with his overcoming the armies of Mara (hindrances and defilements). Legend says the banner was placed on the summit of Mt Meru, symbolizing Buddha's victory over the entire universe. In Tibetan Buddhism, the banner represents eleven methods of overcoming Mara: the development of knowledge, wisdom, compassion, meditation, and ethical vows; taking refuge in the Buddha; abandoning false views; generating spiritual aspiration, skillful means, and selflessness; and the unity of the three sam¨¢dhis of emptiness, formlessness, and desirelessness.” [Source: Tibet Geographic Magazine, http://en.tibettour.com.cn/geography/200412005122090042.htm, JD 19/8/2008]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Caspian James 3/9/2008]