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Thangka Painting



Thangka Painting

Chenrezig Thangka

Chenrezig is a form of Avalokiteshvara. Chenrezig is also known as the Buddha of Compassion or 4 armed Avalokiteshvara. Of all the deities in Mahayana Buddhism, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Chenrezig, is one of the most celebrated. He is the lord endowed with complete illumination, who refrains from entering the blissful state of nirvana to remain here below and save the creatures of the earth. This devotion to the salvation of others emphasizes the profound compassion this bodhisattva represents. In the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon of enlightened beings, Chenrezig, Avalokiteshvara, is renowned as the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Avalokiteshvara, Chenrezig, is visualized in many forms, with various numbers of faces and arms, and various colors and ornaments. The radiant white Buddha form representing purity and power of the enlightened mind’s loving kindness and compassion is illustrated above and at the very top of this page. He sits on a lotus and the flat disc of the moon, with another moon disk behind him, reflecting his total purity. Two of his four arms are joined in the prayer position holding the wish fulfilling gem. In his other left hand he holds a Lotus Flower and in his other right hand, a crystal mala (rosary), which he is using to count the repetitions of his mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus, which liberates all beings from suffering. He wears the silks and ornaments of a Bodhisattva, representing all his special qualities, and the soft skin of an antelope over his shoulder, symbolizing his complete freedom from violence. He smiles with deep understanding, love and compassion as his eyes look upon all beings. The four arms and hands signify the four immeasurable: immeasurable loving kindness, immeasurable compassion, immeasurable joy, and immeasurable equanimity.

Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Boundless Compassion, is the very embodiment and realization of the four immeasurable. The four immeasurable are the vehicles through which Chenrezig benefits beings. “The first two, the inner arms, have palms joined at the heart, holding a sky-blue, and wish fulfilling jewel.” This symbolizes that in whatever way Chenrezig manifests to benefit beings, the quality of Chenrezig’s mind is never separate from the all pervasive primordial wisdom. In the outer right hand, Chenrezig is holding crystal beads and moving them the way we use a mala to count mantras. This symbolizes that there is not one moment when Chenrezig does not benefit beings. Like the steady movement of counting the beads, Chenrezig is continuously benefiting sentient beings and turning the wheel of enlightened activity. In the outer left hand, Chenrezig holds a lotus flower. This symbolizes that in benefiting sentient beings, Chenrezig manifests in whatever forms are necessary in accordance with the mental capacities, circumstances, and aptitudes of sentient beings. Chenrezig may appear in any of the different realms, such as the hell realm or the hungry ghost realm. However Chenrezig may appear, he remains free from any of the samsaric stains of the various realms, the way a lotus flower growing in a swamp appears free of the stain of the mud. The left hand of Chenrezig, holding the flower, symbolizes that stainlessness. All the various features of this image have meaningful connections to the wonderful qualities of Chenrezig, and by focusing on these details as we visualize the image in the meditation, we can gradually awaken our own awareness of those same qualities in ourselves.

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Thangka Painting Part 1


Kalachakra, the wheel of time on thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia Photo Mugs


Kalachakra, the wheel of time on thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia Photo Mugs



Kalachakra, the wheel of time on thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia….


Mandala on a thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia Photo Mugs


Mandala on a thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia Photo Mugs



Mandala on a thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia….


Mandala on a Tibetan thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia Photo Mugs


Mandala on a Tibetan thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia Photo Mugs



Mandala on a Tibetan thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia….


Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Mandala on a thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia from Robert Harding


Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Mandala on a thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia from Robert Harding


$24.99


Photo Puzzle, Mandala on a thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia. Mandala on a thangka, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia. Chosen by Robert Harding. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. This item is shipped from our American lab….

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Thangka painting of Buddhas mother dreaming of a white elephant, from Robert Harding


Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Thangka painting of Buddhas mother dreaming of a white elephant, from Robert Harding


$24.99


Photo Puzzle, Thangka painting of Buddhas mother dreaming of a white elephant,. Thangka painting of Buddhas mother dreaming of a white elephant, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia. Chosen by Robert Harding. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. This item is shipp…

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Thangka depicting White Tara goddess, Buddhist symbol of long life, Bhaktapur, from Robert Harding


Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Thangka depicting White Tara goddess, Buddhist symbol of long life, Bhaktapur, from Robert Harding


$24.99


Photo Puzzle, Thangka depicting White Tara goddess, Buddhist symbol of long life, Bhaktapur,. Thangka depicting White Tara goddess, Buddhist symbol of long life, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia. Chosen by Robert Harding. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. T…

Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche Thangka


Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche Thangka


$59.99


Padmasambhava was a great yogi who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century. He is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Padmasambhava went to Tibet to teach the tantras. Padmasambhava is known as the second Buddha. The legend of Padmasambhava is that he was born from a lotus flower and discovered by a king who was unable to have a son. The kind brought him into his home and made him a crown pri…

Amitayus Buddha Thangka


Amitayus Buddha Thangka


$59.99


This Amitayus Buddha thangka was handmade in Nepal. This thangka is 34 inches long and 20 inches wide. This thangka is made from brocade material. The Buddha Amitayus is the principal Buddha who overcomes ignorance and evil. He allows his believers to fulfill their potential and find their true happiness. Amitayus is red like a ruby mountain, and he shines like a jewel. Amitayus holds in his hand …

Four-Armed Mahakala Buddha Thangka


Four-Armed Mahakala Buddha Thangka


$59.99


The Mahakala Buddha is a wrathful deity who protects his believers. Mahakala is a symbol of the power of Akshobya, who destroys demons. Mahakala is a fierce form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion. Mahakala helps his believers overcome negative elements. Mahakala is surrounded by fire, and he has six arms. He wears a crown of skulls, and has three eyes. He wears horrible instruments…

The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs


The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs


$45.81


For artists, designers, and all with an interest in Buddhist and Tibetan art, this is the first exhaustive reference to the seemingly infinite variety of symbols found throughout Tibetan art in line drawings, paintings, and ritual objects. Hundreds of the author’s line drawings depict all the major Tibetan symbols and motifs—landscapes, deities, animals, plants, gurus, mudras (ritual hand ges…


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