Presided over by Shakyamuni Buddha between the sun and moon, the icicle rimmed, snowy mountain circle protects the kingdom of Shambhala, whose ninety-six mountainous regions occupy the center of this large tangka. From the heart of the kingdom the last king of Shambhala oversees the countries of his realm. Outside, green mountains, silhouetted against pink and white clouds, form a background for the horrific warfare taking place in the foreground, where the forces of good from the Shambhala kingdom are fighting the forces of evil that have taken over the world, centuries in the future. Phalanxes of soldiers with hordes of Lilliputian soldiers are being drawn into battle by huge white elephants, laser-like guns shoot their devastating fire, and fantastic elephant-like animals herd together and fight below the glowing circle of the kingdom. The extensive use of landscape and credible spatial depiction are indicative of the Eastern Tibetan school probably ca. 18th century or a little later.
