Guru Rinpoche

The 'lotus-born' 8th century master from modern-day Swat in Pakistan who subdued Tibet's evil spirits and helped to establish Buddhism in Tibet. Known in Sanskrit as Padmasambhava, he is regarded by followers of Nyingmapa Buddhism as the second      Buddha and wears a red Nyingmapa-style hat. He has a curly moustache, holds a thunderbolt in his right hand, a skull cup in his left hand and a khatvanga staff topped with three heads - one shrunken, one severed and one skull - in the crook of his left arm.

Tsongkhapa (1357-1419)

Founder of the Gelugpa order and a manifestation of Jampelyang. He wears the yellow hat of the Gelugpas and is normally portrayed in a triad with his two main disciples Kedrub Je and Gyatsab Je. His hands are in the teaching mudra and he holds two lotuses. He was the founder and first abbot of Ganden Monastery and many images of him are found there.

Fifth Dalai Lama (Gyawa Gnawa, 1617-82)

The greatest of all the Dalai Lamas, who unified Tibet. Wears the Gelugpa yellow hat and holds a thunderbolt (dorje) in his right hand and bell (drilbu) in his left. He may also be depicted holding the Wheel of Law (symbolising the beginning of political control of the Dalai Lamas) and a lotus flower or other sacred objects.

King Songtsen Gampo (618-49)

Early king who unified Tibet and introduced Buddhism to the country. He has a moustache and wears a white turban with a tiny red Amitabha Buddha pokng out of the top. He is flanked by his Chinese wife Wencheng on the left and his Nepalese wife Bhrikuti on his right.

Milarepa

A great 11th century Tibetan magician and poet who is believed to have attained the supreme enlightenment of Buddhahood in the course of one lifetime. He became an alchemist in order to poison an uncle who had stolen his family lands and then spent six years meditating in a cave in repentance. During this time he wore nothing but a cotton robe and so became known as Milarepa or 'Cotton-clad Repa'. Most images of Milarepa picture him smiling, holding his hand to his ear as he sings. He may also be depicted as green because he lived for many years on a diet of nettles.