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Shadakshari Lokeshvara (Tibetan Buddhist Chenrezig)

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$221.25

$295

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Shadakshari Lokeshvara is known as a four-armed aspect of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. He also holds the role of as the lord over the realms of existing, over the bings in hell, ghosts, animals, humans, and even gods. He is also believed to be the embodiment of the om mani Padme hum mantra which means hail to the jewel in the lotus. Consistent with tradition, this thangka depicts Shadakshari Lokeshvara in a seated diamond position on a moon-shaped disk atop of a lotus.

He appears to be seated in a center of paradise. The thankga is also packed with a lot of red and gold, red for passion and gold for wealth. Zoom in on his face and he is shown with an almost-smiling visage and eyes looking down with a calm gaze, symbolizing his overflowing compassion. He has four arms, His inner hands are held close to his chest in an Anjali mudra, or a position of adoration. These hands are also holding a wish-fulfilling gem that is meant to symbolize his spirit of enlightenment, love, and wisdom. Meanwhile, another hand holds beads, a symbol of his phenomenal existence. On another hand is the lotus flower, an important element in Buddhism and can also mean that he guides living beings but is free from being attached to things and beings. On top of his monk’s robes is an antelope head and skin draped on his left shoulder as another sign for compassion. In the bottom right is a blue-skinned Vajrapani, a wrathful deity who signifies the sacred power of Buddhas. Opposite him is Manjushri, the deity of supreme wisdom who holds the Book of Wisdom and a blazing sword that cuts ignorance and misery. On space on top of his head appears to be a small red Buddha that signifies he belongs to the lotus family of Amitabha.

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Item Code:	TX53
Specifications:	Tibetan Thangka Painting
Dimensions	Size of Painted Surface 19 inch X 26 inch Size with Brocade 30 inch X 49.5 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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