Thangka: History and Background

A Thangka painting (alternatively spelt as hangka, tangka, thanka, or tanka) is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, silk applique that usually depicts a Buddhist deity or mythological scenes

Thangka serve as important teaching tools depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas and other deities and bodhisattvas

This article will give details about Thangka painting within the context of the Art and Culture segment of the Civil Services Examination

History of Thangka Paintings

Tibetan Buddhist paintings have their origins in early Buddhist paintings that today survive in a few places like the Ajanta Caves and the Mogao Caves in China. These cave paintings are repositories for early Tibetan paintings on cloth. It was here that the thangka form of painting developed alongside Buddhist wall paintings

Most Thangka paintings were commissions of individuals. These finished commissions were given to a monastery be retained by those who commissioned them

Surviving thangkas date back from the 11th century. At least 20 are known to be from both the 11th and 12th century.

Thangka paintings were created in those regions where Tibetan Buddhism was practiced including Mongolia, Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Himalayan India.

.

Significance of Thangka Paintings

Thangka paintings are important tools to depict Buddha and his teachings as well as that of other deities and bodhisattvas. The most prominent subject is the Bhavachakra (Wheel of Life) which is how the Art of Enlightenment is visually represented.

Today printed iterations and poster size of the thangka paintings are commonly used for prayers and decoration. Many paintings were produced in sets, though they have become separated as time went on.

Thangka paintings are teaching tools that describe historical events. Devotional images act as the centerpiece during a ritual or ceremony and are often used as a medium for prayer requests. Overall, religious art is used asmeditation tool to further walk the path of enlightenment.

A Buddhist Vajrayana devotee uses a thangka image of the meditation deity (yidam) as a guide by visualising himself as the deity, thus evoking the qualities of the Buddha within them.