Painting (along with sculpture ) was crucial to the religious life of Tibet. Ordinary Tibetans were often advised by their religious preceptors to commission a painting for the ' removal' of physical or mental obstacles, or to create the prerequisites for 'a long and healthy life' (Zhabs Brtan). Like any other virtuous deed, the commissioning of religious art was believed to earn merit (bsod nams), the only thing that in the Buddhist view could give rise to future benefits and happiness. From this has emerged an art unique in its imagery, choice of colors and immediacy of content.

This book introduces the reader to the gem-like iridescence of colors representing the archetypal Buddhist images of good and evil. The book has thangkas from renowned private and public collections the world over. Of special interest are the select thangkas from the collection of H.H. the Dalai Lama's private chapel (Namgyal Monastery), from his apartment above Norbulingka Temple, and from his collection donated to the library of works and archives, in Dharamsala, India.

About the Author:

Anjan Chakraverty lives in Varanasi. After his post graduation in creative painting he did his doctoral research on 'Landscape in Indian Miniature Painting'. His book, Indian Miniature Painting, was published in 1996. He shares his time between painting and teaching art history at the Faculty of Visual Art, Banaras Hindu University.