Vajrayana Institute - AU
About Thangkas
Thangka is an art. A thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, silk applique, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala. Thangkas are traditionally kept unframed and rolled up when not on display, mounted on a textile backing somewhat in the style of Chinese scroll paintings, with a further silk cover on the front.
Art, History, and Heritage
All about Applique Thangkas
Applique Thangkas is Known as göchen thangka in Tibet. The Huns of Central Asia were the first to use applique to decorate saddle blankets. It traveled eastward along the Silk Road, and Tibetans accepted it as a holy art form.
Fabric thangkas were created in the 15th century utilizing an indigenous applique method. These thangkas, which are lavishly embroidered and appliqued, immediately became popular in Tibet.
Because of its excellent quality materials, durability, suppleness, and potential .
Determining the Quality of Tibetan Thangkas
There are three general skill levels of thangka painters are hobbyist, professionals, and masters. You can find out the skill of the artist by looking closely at the lines, such as those used to make waves, clouds, and the faces of people, gods, goddesses, and animals.
The finer and clearer the lines, the greater the skill involved. A thangka painted by a master will cost more than one painted by a professional. The student painted .
Shading, Colouring and Grading of Thangkas and Mandalas
Another main step is to apply washes for shading and gradual transitions of tone. Shading is called Dang in Tibetan which is one of the special feature of Thangka painting.
Shading is an important feature of thanka painting, taking up a large portion of the time, and is done very carefully and precisely.
Shading in this context does not mean the treatment of light and shadow within the whole composition, for the distribution of light and dark is .
The Art Of Mastering and outlining of Tibetan Thangkas
Almost every object depicted in a thangka required outlining or linear detail. Outlining proper (bead) served to set off most objects from their surroundings, and it was used to demarcate the main subdivisions within them. Tibetan painters also used line drawings to develop the form or texture inside a given area, for instance within a swirling mass of flames or within the hair of a deity.
Furthermore, fine linear drawings were the main way of .
Explanations about Mandalas & Thangkas
“Mandala” the word is derived from the Sanskrit language, its literal meaning is pious or a saint or magic wheel. Mandala paintings are well known and taught in universities in early stages. The mandala was a symbolic creation of a temple of the Almighty from a long return. The design of mandala painting contains a complex and comprehensive literature, and it allows a student to learn a particular way of tantras.
Many psychologists conclude that .
Art of Nepal – Thangkas & Paubhas
Thangkas and Paubhas
Paubhas is a traditional religious painting made by the Newar people of Nepal. Paubhas depict deities, mandalas or monuments, and are used to help the practitioner meditate. The Tibetan equivalent is known as Thangka. For more than eight thousand years an artistic tradition of great skill and beauty has flourished in the Kathmandu valley.
As long ago as the 12th-century Newar painters, bronze casters and architects were famed across Asia and highly sought after for their talents. The emperor Kublai Khan .
Worldly Protector Tsangpa Karpo
Tsangpa Karpo is a wrathful worldly protector of Tibet. Tsangpa Karpo was a dynasty that dominated large parts of Tibet from 1565 to 1642. It was the last Tibetan royal dynasty to rule in its own name.
The regime of Tsangpa Karpo was founded by Karma Tseten, a low-born retainer of the prince of the Rinpungpa Dynasty and governor of Shigatse in Tsang (West-Central Tibet) since 1548.
Tsangpa is known as gTsang pa in Tibet.
Iconography of .
1st Karmapa Lama – Dusum Kyenpa
Dusum Khyenpa is known as the 1st Karmapa. Dusum Khyenpa is the founder of the Karma (Kamtsang) branch of the Kagyu Tradition. Dusum Khyenpa was born in Kham
He served as Abbot of Daklha Gampo monastery after Gampopa and founded the Tsurphu monastery. He is becoming the seat of the incarnate Karmapa lamas.
Dusum Khyenpa was the founder of the Karma Kagyu school and of its three main monasteries: Kampo Nenang Gon in 1164, Karma Gon .
King of the South – Virudhaka
Virudhaka is a major deity in Buddhism. Virudhaka is a symbol of success and progress. Virudhara is the ruler of the wind. His sword is to protect Dharma and also to symbolize power over ignorance.
Virudhaka is the Guardian of the Southern Direction. Virudhaka, leader of the Kumbhanda, is a worldly guardian worshipped as a protector. He lives on the south side of the lower slopes of Mount Meru in the Heaven of the Four .
The Largest Tibetan Tiger Carpet ever made in Nepal
Mandalas Life is pleased to introduce the Largest Tibetan Tiger Carpet to all Tibetan Tiger lovers. The size of the carpet is 335 cm wide and 457 cm long (11*15)ft.
This Tibetan Tiger Carpet is a rare and top-quality rug that conveys the warmth of handmade products.
Historical context and meaning of the Tiger Rug in Tibet
Tibetan Tiger Carpets are made traditionally, each design is cut by hand to create a 3-dimensional look that emulates a .