Heavy bronze cast portraying the most prominent Buddhist master of the Qing empire, sitting on a high cushion, finely decorated with floral motifs. The left hand is resting in his lap, performing the avakasamudra gesture, while the right hand is performing the vitarkamudra gesture, representing the transmission of the Buddhist teachings. The character wears a headdress and a finely ornate robe, which is telling of his high lineage. Changkya Rolpai Dorje (1717-1786) was one of the most prominent Gelug-pa masters, in addition to being a childhood friend, teacher, spiritual mentor and counselor of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1796). He also played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism to China and translating sacred texts to Chinese, Mongolian and Manchu. For a similar item, refer to the one published in Portraits of the Masters, Bronze Sculptures of the Tibetan Buddhist lineages, by Donald Dinwiddie, Serindia Publications, London 2003, pp. 328-329.