This exquisite Tibetan Thangka painting features an oil-varnished portrayal of the Buddha Life Mandala with silk brocade. A delicate layer of oil is meticulously applied to enhance its durability and impart an antique aesthetic.
The thangka vividly depicts various activities and the life cycle of Lord Buddha, offering a symbolic representation of the material world—where individuals undergo birth, aging, suffering, and eventual mortality. The term "Mandala" in Sanskrit, meaning circle, serves as a profound symbol of wholeness. It functions as a cosmic diagram, reflecting the organizational structure of life itself. This representation serves as a constant reminder of our connection to the infinite, encompassing the world beyond and within our bodies and minds.
The mandala concept extends to both material and non-material realities, manifesting in diverse aspects of life, from the celestial circles of earth, sun, and moon to the conceptual circles of friends, family, and community. The oil varnish not only adds durability but also contributes to the thangka's antique allure, creating a visual masterpiece rich in spiritual significance.
What is Thangka?
· A thangka, also known as tangka, thanka or tanka is a painting on cotton, or silk appliqué, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala.
· The thangka is not a flat creation like an oil painting or acrylic painting but consists of a complex subject.
· Generally, thangkas last a very long time and retain much of their luster, but because of their delicate nature, they have to be kept in dry places where moisture won't affect the quality of the painting.
· The Thangkas serve as important teaching tools depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas and other deities and bodhisattvas.
· The Thangka, when created properly, perform several different functions. Images of deities can be used as teaching tools when depicting the life (or lives) of the Buddha, describing historical events concerning important Lamas, or retelling myths associated with other deities.
· The Devotional images act as the centerpiece during a ritual or ceremony and are often used as mediums through which one can offer prayers or make requests.
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