Thangka
Brief History of Tibetan Thangka Painting
Thangka painting is an ancient Tibetan Buddhist art form, which has been practised in Tibet for much more than one thousand years. Thangka, simply is the Tibetan word for painting. In the paintings of this Tibetan Buddhist art form the many and various deities and venerable teachers such as the historical Lord Buddha Shakyamuni are shown. These images inspire through their beauty, but also, a painted deity is a visual support for those practising meditation.
The origins of Thangka painting go back to Lord Buddha Shakyamuni and stretch even further beyond into the past. Lord Buddha lived about 2600 years ago in India, where He taught the Holy Dharma to a large following and also instructed and inspired many artists. As Lord Buddha‘s Teachings flourished in India beyond His lifetime, His Teachings spread to neighbouring countries like Tibet, too.
To establish Buddhism in Tibet, the innovative Tibetan king Songsten Gampo married the Chinese princess Kongjo in early seventh century. She brought scriptures of Lord Buddha’s Teachings, Buddhist sculptures and paintings, and also introduced a Chinese style of painting with the artists, who came with her from China. This early stage of Tibetan Thangka painting has been referred to as the old Gadri style.
Another style of Tibetan Thangka painting, Menri, was introduced in Tibet from Nepal in the 9th century. And these are the two main traditions with their varying schools, found in Tibetan Thangka painting. Gadri has been established in the Eastern part of Tibet, whereas Menri is in Central and Western part of the country.
In the year 1500, the Gadri style experienced a renaissance due to the influence of the artist Namka Tashi, who was linked to the Great Saint Mikyo Dorje, the 8th Karmapa. Further significant contributions came through the artists Cho Tashi and then Kasho Karma Tashi. These three artists established what has been known as the Karma Gadri style of Tibetan Thangka painting, which is still true today.
About the Author
This article has been written by Heinz Hoes, based at Findhorn, near Forres, in Morayshire, Scotland UK. I studied with and assisted Tibetan Master Artist Sherab Palden Beru for 20 years at the Tibetan Buddhist centre and monastery Kagyu Samye Ling in Eskdalemuir, Scotland.
Thanks for your interest in this article and as a follow-up you may like to visit my website, which shows examples of my art work of Tibetan Thangka paintings:
http://www.tibetan-thangkas.co.uk
The Tibetan Art of Thangka Painting
|
|
White Tara, Buddhist Goddess of Compassion and Longevity Statue, 6 Inches $24.50 This magnificent statue is a superb representation of White Tara, Buddhist Goddess of Maternal Compassion and Longevity. Measuring 6 inches tall and 5 inches wide, it is a wonderful adaptation from Traditional Tibetan Thangka Painting. Made with cold cast resin with antique bronze finish and hand painted with color accents, the definition and the intricate details of this piece are simply breathta… |
|
|
Amitabha Buddha Sculpture – Boundless Light and Life $22.95 This magnificent statue is a superb representation of Amitabha Buddha, the Land of Ultimate Bliss . Measuring 6 inches tall, 4.5 inches wide and 3inches deep, it is a wonderful adaptation in the tradition of Tibetan Thangka painting. Made with cold cast resin with antique bronze finish and hand painted with color accents, the definition and the intricate details of this piece are simply breathtaki… |
|
|
MEDICINE BUDDHA Healer Statue Tibetan Buddhism Antique Bronze Finish with Hand-painted Color Accents $22.99 This magnificent statue is a superb representation of Medicine Buddha, the healer of physical and mental illness. Measuring 6 inches tall, 5 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep, it is a wonderful adaptation in the tradition of Tibetan Thangka painting. Made with cold cast resin with antique bronze finish and hand painted with color accents, the definition and the intricate details of this piece are … |
|
|
Devotion That Radiates From Within The Heart Evening Prayers at Pullahari Monastery in Nepal Year 2000. “Calling The Guru From Afar” with H.E. the Third Jamgon Kongtrul chanting the last verse…. |
|
|
Creating Buddhas: The Making and Meaning of Fabric Thangkas $25.00 Creating Buddhas: The Making and meaning of Fabric Thangkas is an hour long not for profit documentary about a western woman who creates Buddhas out of silk and with great love and devotion she is bringing the gift of fabric thangka to our culture. Fabric thangka is a silk embroidered and appliquéd art form in Tibetan Buddhism and is also known as Appliqué Thangka, Brocade Thangka, and Silk Than… |
|
|
Hidden World: Tibetan Sand Mandala $25.00 A group of Tibetan Buddhist Monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in South India builds a Sand Mandala at the Dreamcatcher gift shop in Skippack, Pennsylvania in this 30-minute documentary. They explain the purpose of the sand mandala’s construction and ritual dismantling. The intricate details of this beautiful piece of visual art’s construction are shown over the course of several days, conc… |
|
|
Thanka Print (Acid Free Paper) Mandala of Green Tara $12.96 Seated on a lotus, Tara is surrounded by her twenty-one manifestations. Green Tara is ever ready to respond to the suffering of beings afflicted with emotional obscurations…. |
|
|
Thanka Print (Acid Free Paper) Depicting the Medicine Buddha $12.96 This Thanka print on acid free paper depicts the Medicine Buddha. Snow lions upholding his throne symbolize the power and strength of the Buddha?s commitment to heal all beings. 18″x25″…. |
|
|
Thanka Print on Canvas (Giclée) Depicting 4-Armed Avalokiteshvara, 18x24G $89.00 This 18″x24″Giclée (Thanka Print on Canvas) depicts 4-Armed Avalokiteshvara,his color white as the moonlight, holding the wish-fulfilling jewel of the Dharma. In his outer left hand he holds a lotus in full blossom, symbol of enlightened compassion…. |
|
|
Icon Handbags Nora Cross-Body $325.00 Icon’s Nori cross-body features rich leather accented with an artful image that exudes kitschy L.A. cool. An exterior zip pocket allows you to keep items like your keys and cell handy, while its dual-compartment interior provides organizational ease…. |