This thangka depicts Je Yab Sé Sum, the sacred triad of the Gelug tradition, with Je Tsongkhapa at the center and his two principal disciples seated below on either side. The composition emphasizes pure transmission of view, conduct, and wisdom, rather than lineage succession.

At the center is Je Tsongkhapa (Je Rinpoche), shown seated on a lotus throne within a radiant aureole. His hands are held in a teaching gesture, symbolizing the flawless union of profound insight and systematic instruction. His monastic robes and serene expression convey ethical discipline, clarity of reasoning, and deep meditative stability—the foundations of the Gelug path. Floral motifs surrounding him refer to purity of intention and the blossoming of wisdom.

He is accompanied by Gyaltsab Je on the left side, representing mastery of Madhyamaka philosophy, precise reasoning, and authoritative exposition of the teachings, and by Khedrup Je on the other side, embodying disciplined practice, tantric integration, and the preservation of doctrinal accuracy.

Placed symmetrically, the two disciples form a balanced support to Je Tsongkhapa’s teaching activity, expressing how wisdom is preserved through both scholastic clarity and lived practice.

Rather than illustrating an extended lineage, this thangka focuses on the moment of stabilization of the Gelug tradition, where view, conduct, and realization are perfectly aligned. A Je Yab Sé Sum thangka serves as a support for study, reflection, and meditation, reminding practitioners of the harmony between ethical discipline, analytical wisdom, and experiential realization.