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This is a specific type of Tibetan Buddhist painting (thangka), variously known as a Refuge Tree, Refuge Field, or Refuge Assembly, whose central figure (at upper centre) is Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), the founder of the dominant Gelugpa (Gelug) School of Tibetan Buddhism. The numerous other figures show the spiritual and doctrinal line of descent in the Gelugpa sect and the deities, saints and teachers revered by it.

The canvas is sewn into an embroidered silk frame and attached to two poles: a top pole of wood with leather sewn corners and a bottom pole of brass. There is a rolled silk cover at the upper edge, obscuring the top of the border.