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Chenrezig Mandala - Tibetan Buddhist

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Chenrezig, also known as Avalokiteshvara, is the bodhisattva of compassion. Meanwhile, by Buddhist tradition, Mandalas are symbolic representations of the universe as well as a visual object used by Buddhist teachers and monks to propagate the ways of enlightenment. Chenrezig being in the subject of the mandala shows the space as a dwelling place of the bodhisattva and his retinue. There are four doorways in this mandala, one in each surrounding wall that symbolizes the four immeasurable thoughts (love, compassion, joy, and equality). Each door is flanked by a pink jewel.

At the center, Chenrezig sits on a pink lotus, which does not only symbolize purity, but also the lotus family which has the power to make the impure mind pure. He is depicted with four arms, two of which are in a prayer position with a wish-granting gem in between each palm. Another hand on the left is holding a blue lotus, an utpala, which represents enlightenment. The remaining hand holds a rosary, also used to count repetitions of invoking his mantra, the Om Mani Padme Hum, said to free those who invoke it from suffering. He is clothed in the robes of a bodhisattva. The painting heavily used gold, which symbolizes the brightness brought by enlightenment. It stands out against the black backdrop the represents darkness from ignorance. On the sides of the thangka are the four dignities: Garuda (for wisdom), the Dragon (power) the Snow Lion (joy), and the Tiger (for confidence).

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Item Code:	TN14
Specifications:	Tibetan Thangka Painting
Dimensions	Size of Painted Surface 16 inch X 17 inch Size with Brocade 26 inch X 32 inch

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Unveiling the Divine Art: Journey into the Making of Thangkas

A Thangka is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist painting that usually depicts a Buddhist Deity (Buddha or Bodhisattva), a scene, or a mandala. These paintings are considered important paraphernalia in Buddhist rituals. They are used to teach the life of the Buddha, various lamas, and Bodhisattvas to the monastic students, and are also useful in visualizing the deity while meditating. One of the most important subjects of thangkas is the Bhavacakra (the wheel of life) which depicts the Art of Enlightenment. It is believed that Thangka paintings were developed over the centuries from the murals, of which only a few can be seen in the Ajanta caves in India and the Mogao caves in Gansu Province, Tibet. Thangkas are painted on cotton or silk applique and are usually small in size. The artist of these paintings is highly trained and has a proper understanding of Buddhist philosophy, knowledge, and background to create a realistic and bona fide painting.

The process of making a thangka begins with stitching a loosely woven cotton fabric onto a wooden frame. Traditionally, the canvas was prepared by coating it with gesso, chalk, and base pigment.

After this, the outline of the form of the deity is sketched with a pencil or charcoal onto the canvas using iconographic grids. The drawing process is followed in accordance with strict guidelines laid out in Buddhist scriptures. The systematic grid helps the artist to make a geometrical and professional painting. When the drawing of the figures is finalized and adjusted, it is then outlined with black ink.

Earlier, a special paint of different colors was made by mixing powdered forms of organic (vegetable) and mineral pigments in a water-soluble adhesive. Nowadays, artists use acrylic paints instead. The colors are now applied to the sketch using the wet and dry brush techniques. One of the characteristic features of a thangka is the use of vibrant colors such as red, blue, black, green, yellow, etc.

In the final step, pure gold is coated over some parts of the thangka to increase its beauty. Due to this beautification, thangkas are much more expensive and also stand out from other ordinary paintings.

Thangka paintings are generally kept unrolled when not on display on the wall. They also come with a frame, a silken cover in front, and a textile backing to protect the painting from getting damaged. Because Thangkas are delicate in nature, they are recommended to be kept in places with no excess moisture and where there is not much exposure to sunlight. This makes them last a long time without their colors fading away. Painting a thangka is an elaborate and complex process and requires excellent skills. A skilled artist can take up to 6 months to complete a detailed thangka painting. In earlier times, thangka painters were lamas that spent many years on Buddhist studies before they painted.

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