Tibetan Thangkas

Thangkas are Tibetan Buddhist (Lamaismor Tantrayana / Vajrayana- Buddhism) iconographic paintings. They are a form of religious art, which has a 1,000 year long tradition, that still carries on today. The scroll- paintings are first composed on a screen. Traditionally, natural colors are used, but since the beginning of the 20th century, artificial pigments also. Real gold is often used, in order to show respect to the Gods.

This has a fantastic aesthetic effect emphasing the beauty of the Thangkas. The artists often, not always, are monks, who have had a special training in screen paintings (for at least 10 years), because Thangkas have to follow special iconographic and iconometric rules , according to Holy Texts (Tanyur, Kanyur, Nispannayogavali, etc). The guidelines also include the form, the positions of the Gods, their attributes and throne as well as their dress (monks, princely or wrathful dress).

The paintings serve as sacred works in the monasteries, as help in meditation, bv protection from demons or as votive pictures. Tibetans love colors. This can be seen by the bright radiating colors in Thangka-paintings. There are traditional color paintings, and also the so-called red - based, black - based and gold - based paintings. There are other differences between the portrayal figures and Mandala motifs ,Tibetan Thanka Painting is very important to Tibetans as part of Buddhisme, Art and Culture. The value of the Thanka includes the aspects of meditation, sacredness and aesthetics. International there is an increasing interest in Thanka Paintings and the Paintings are valued and appreciated for their intrinsic qualities .

The development of Thanka Painting
Picturing the Buddha is said to go back to the time of the Buddha himself. There were two works created in that time according to Tibetan legends, namely: 'Thupa Chu lenma' and 'Hoed Zerma'.
'Thupa Chu lenma' is a Tibetan term, meaning ;"The image of the sage taken from a reflection in the water". The artist is said to have painted the image of a reflection in the water. 'Hoed Zerma' means; "Radiation Ligth". The Buddha is believed to have emitted rays of light from his body onto a cloth enabling the artist to depict his form.

Tibet's first contact with Buddhisme occurred in the seventh century. Artistic influences in that time came from Nepal and China. Later under the next king from 790 to 844 the first monestry 'Samye' was build in Tibet by Shantarakshita and Padmasambava.
Many artists were invited to participate in the construction and this was the beginning of the Tibetan artistic tradition Later, in the eleventh century,the most profound Tibetian artistic tradition took place. Rinchen Zangpo, a great scholar, returned from Kashmir to Tibet with many great artists and craftsman. They construct numerous temples in western Tibet and this part was strongly influenced by this Kashmiri artstyle.

Central Tibet has sinds earliest times expressed the influence of both India-Nepalese and Central asian (Khotannese) styles. After the thirtheenth century the Newary style became quite widespread in Tibet. The Nepalese style is also evident in the construction style of the Kumbum stupa in Gyantse, the most famous and biggest stupa in Tibet. Eastern Tibetan art has also a strong Chinese influence. What later emerged around the seventeenth century was a very distinct Tibetan style. It began with the in 1450-80 developed Menri School of painting by Menthangpa Menlha Dhondup. Having mastered various styles, Newary, Chinese and Indian, and due his creative nature he influenced a new and quite distinct style. Examples of this style can be seen on some of the wall paintings in the Potala Palace and thankas of this period.

The Menri style had a profound influence in Tibet and paved the way for a Tibetan style of painting to emerge. Still to this day the elements of this distinct Tibetan art style are followed.
Tibetan Thanka Collection - Mcleodganj, Dharamsala, H.P - INDIADesigned & Hosted at : HimalayanInfotech.com . Because the religious art of Lamaism was not only found in Tibet, but spread to many other countries (Mongolia, parts of Siberia and China, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Ladakh), despite the tragic fate of Tibet, this precious form of iconic art has never experienced a significant break. This art lives and continues to develop today .

Therefore, even new Thangkas are original and also authentic. As you can see, that’s why Tibetan Buddhist Thangkas enjoy immense popularity worldwide. Aesthetically, they fit to every room and make for a harmonious atmosphere. In addition, Thangkas radiate positive energy and create a glowing aura. A Tibetan Thanka is a Painting that is a rich and highly complex of religious symbolism of Buddhism. The paintings of the deities are not only forms that represent the Buddha or other saints, but also remind us to what we can become on a spiritual level. They show us the importance of the qualities they stand for and true meditation helps us to make them our own. They are very important for practioners to develop the Bodhisitta spirit and to archive enlightenment.

Because of the increasing interest in this art form all over the world, we like to present, some of our most remarkable Thanka Paintings. We have a gallery at Mcleodganj, a small but famous hill town of Himachal Pradesh in India, where H.H. the Dalai Lama has his residence and Temple.
The Thanka paintings we have selected are from a very high quality and original. Please browse our Thanka gallery and let us know if you need these at a promising prices.Welcome to Tibetan Thankas gallery!!
Tibetan Thanka Painting is very important to Tibetans as part of Buddhisme, Art and Culture. The value of the Thanka includes the aspects of meditation, sacredness and aesthetics. International there is an increasing interest in Thanka Paintings and the Paintings are valued and appreciated for their intrinsic qualities.

The development of Thanka Painting
Picturing the Buddha is said to go back to the time of the Buddha himself. There were two works created in that time according to Tibetan legends, namely: 'Thupa Chu lenma' and 'Hoed Zerma'.
'Thupa Chu lenma' is a Tibetan term, meaning ;"The image of the sage taken from a reflection in the water". The artist is said to have painted the image of a reflection in the water. 'Hoed Zerma' means; "Radiation Ligth". The Buddha is believed to have emitted rays of light from his body onto a cloth enabling the artist to depict his form.
Tibet's first contact with Buddhisme occurred in the seventh century. Artistic influences in that time came from Nepal and China. Later under the next king from 790 to 844 the first monestry 'Samye' was build in Tibet by Shantarakshita and Padmasambava.
Many artists were invited to participate in the construction and this was the beginning of the Tibetan artistic tradition.

Later, in the eleventh century,the most profound Tibetian artistic tradition took place. Rinchen Zangpo, a great scholar, returned from Kashmir to Tibet with many great artists and craftsman. They construct numerous temples in western Tibet and this part was strongly influenced by this Kashmiri artstyle. Central Tibet has sinds earliest times expressed the influence of both India-Nepalese and Central asian (Khotannese) styles. After the thirtheenth century the Newary style became quite widespread in Tibet. The Nepalese style is also evident in the construction style of the Kumbum stupa in Gyantse, the most famous and biggest stupa in Tibet.