Situ Panchen
Encyclopedia
Situ Panchen (1700-1774), also known as the 8th Tai Situ Rinpoche, was an influential Tibet
an painter, writer and medical innovator as well as a notable figure in the histories of Karma Kagyu
and the Kingdom of Dêgê
, where he served as senior court chaplain. A student of Katok Tsewang Norbu
, Situ Panchen is known for his role in the non-sectarian Rime movement
of Tibetan Buddhism
, as he was instrumental in helping in the growing acceptance of Zhentong; according to 2003's The Budda from Dolpo, "[i]n the end it would be Situ more than anyone who would create the environment for the widespread acceptance of the Zhentong theories in the next century.
As a painter, Situ Panchen acknowledged the influence of Chinese artists, utilizing not only color and form common to their work but also setting.
An exhibition of Situ Panchen's work, accompanied by a conference related to him, was staged by the Rubin Museum of Art
in New York City
in 2009; the exhibition was scheduled to run from February 6 – August 17, 2009. Presentations at the two-day conference included focus on such topics as Situ Panchen's influence on monastic art as far as the Yunnan Province, his influence in the field of medicine and his impact on sectarian monastic relations in Dêgê.
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
an painter, writer and medical innovator as well as a notable figure in the histories of Karma Kagyu
Karma Kagyu
Karma Kagyu , or Kamtsang Kagyu, is probably the largest and certainly the most widely practiced lineage within the Kagyu school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The lineage has long-standing monasteries in Tibet, China, Russia, Mongolia, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, and current...
and the Kingdom of Dêgê
Kingdom of Dêgê
The Kingdom of Derge was an important kingdom in Eastern Tibet, a center of industry, religion and politics, with the seat of its kingdom in the town of Derge. The kings of Derge followed a 1300-year lineage....
, where he served as senior court chaplain. A student of Katok Tsewang Norbu
Katok Tsewang Norbu
'Katok Tsewang Norbu' was a Nyingmapa who championed the view of 'extrinsic emptiness' or Zhentong which he propagated amongst his tradition...
, Situ Panchen is known for his role in the non-sectarian Rime movement
Rime movement
Rimé is a Tibetan word which means "no sides", "non-partisan" or "non-sectarian". In a religious context, the word ri-mé is usually used to refer to the "Eclectic Movement" between the Buddhist Nyingma, Sakya, and Kagyu traditions, along with the non-Buddhist Bön religion, wherein practitioners...
of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
, as he was instrumental in helping in the growing acceptance of Zhentong; according to 2003's The Budda from Dolpo, "[i]n the end it would be Situ more than anyone who would create the environment for the widespread acceptance of the Zhentong theories in the next century.
As a painter, Situ Panchen acknowledged the influence of Chinese artists, utilizing not only color and form common to their work but also setting.
An exhibition of Situ Panchen's work, accompanied by a conference related to him, was staged by the Rubin Museum of Art
Rubin Museum of Art
__notoc__The Rubin Museum of Art is a museum dedicated to the collection, display, and preservation of the art of the Himalayas and surrounding regions, especially that of Tibet...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 2009; the exhibition was scheduled to run from February 6 – August 17, 2009. Presentations at the two-day conference included focus on such topics as Situ Panchen's influence on monastic art as far as the Yunnan Province, his influence in the field of medicine and his impact on sectarian monastic relations in Dêgê.