Gelugpa Collection

India, Ladakh, Thiksey. The immense and beautifully gilded Maitreya Buddha in the Chamkhang temple at Thiksey Monastery

A Lama of the Dalai Sect, Thibet, with his Praying-Wheel and Trident, 1858. Creator: Unknown
A Lama of the Dalai Sect, Thibet, with his Praying-Wheel and Trident - drawn by W. Carpenter, Jun. 1858. These priests of the Buddhist religion

Figures of divinities in the Kalmyk religion: Maidarin, Amitabha and Shakyamuni. Illustration from Peter Simon Pallas Travels through the southern provinces of the Russia Empire, 1812

Ghum Monastery, near Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Ghum Monastery is the popular name for the Sampten Choling Buddhist Monastery

India, Ladakh, Thiksey. Young novice monk sweeping up the tsampa crumbs at morning prayers or puja, Thiksey Monastery

India, Ladakh, Thiksey. The golden finial of a chorten at Thiksey Monastery

India, Ladakh, Thiksey. View of the Indus Valley from Thiksey Monastery

Yaks skulls engraved with Buddhist mantras
Ganden Monastery. Engraved with mantras and prayers, yaks skulls lie on the pilgrimage circuit, or kora, around Ganden monastery with views across the Phenyul Valley beyond

Buddhist monk, Ganden Monastery
Tibet, Ganden Monastery. Perched on a ridge of Mt Wangkur and overlooking the Phenyul Valley, Ganden was the first Gelugpa school monastery

The Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (1543-1588), 16th-17th centuries. Tibetan culture. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

1922 British Mt Everest Expedition - Rongbuk Monastery
1922 British Mount Everest Expedition - Rongbuk Monastery (12 miles from Everest, just about visible in the distance). The Rongbuk Monastery was the home of the Panchen Lama. Date: 1922

The Chief Lama of Tashi Lumpo
Thubten Choekyi Nyima (1883-1937), The 9th Panchen Lama - The Chief Lama of Tashi Lhunpo. The Panchen Lama is the highest ranking Lama after the Dalai Lama in the Gelugpa (Dge-lugs-pa)

Yellow Hat Buddhist sect monks, Gelugpa, Tagong Temple, Tagong, Sichuan, China, Asia

Yellow Hat sect monks, Gelugpa, Tagong Temple, Tagong, Sichuan, China, Asia

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Gelugpa, a prominent Buddhist sect originating in India, has left an indelible mark on the spiritual landscape of Ladakh. Nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of this region lies Thiksey, where the Chamkhang temple houses an immense and beautifully gilded Maitreya Buddha. This awe-inspiring figure radiates serenity and compassion, inviting devotees to seek solace within its golden embrace. Intriguingly, Gelugpa's influence extends beyond Ladakh. Ghum Monastery near Darjeeling stands as a testament to its reach in West Bengal. Here, figures of divinities from the Kalmyk religion adorn sacred spaces, evoking a sense of divine presence that transcends boundaries. The legacy is intertwined with remarkable individuals like Sonam Gyatso, the Third Dalai Lama who lived during the 16th-17th centuries. His teachings continue to inspire countless followers across generations and continents. Likir Monastery in Ladakh comes alive during winter festivals when monks prepare for vibrant performances by introducing dancers through ceremonial horns. The rhythmic sound resonates throughout the monastery grounds, heralding joyous celebrations that honor tradition and spirituality. Within Thiksey Monastery's hallowed halls resides a young novice monk diligently sweeping tsampa crumbs after morning prayers or puja. This humble act symbolizes devotion and mindfulness ingrained deeply within Gelugpa's teachings. As one gazes upon the golden finial atop a chorten at Thiksey Monastery or admires panoramic views of Indus Valley from its vantage point, it becomes evident how Gelugpa seamlessly blends spirituality with nature's grandeur – reminding us of our interconnectedness with all living beings. Yak skulls engraved with Buddhist mantras serve as poignant reminders of impermanence and transience along this spiritual journey undertaken by Gelugpa practitioners worldwide.