Kalachakra Mandala Thangka with Mantra Colored (Brocadeless Thangka)

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Name: Kalachakra Mandala Thangka with Mantra Colored (Brocadeless Thangka)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RTO176
Price: 220.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$220

According to the present Dalai Lama, “The initiation to the Kalachakra is one of the most important in Buddhism because it takes everything into account: the body and the human mind, and the whole external aspects- cosmic and astrological.” In Tibetan Buddhism, the Kalachakra is a vision of the universe, divided into discs of air, fire, water, and earth, the mountain of fire, Jambudvipa with seven mountain ranges, six rock faces, and six oceans, and the base of Mount Meru. The connection between different levels of the universe, existence, and energy in the human body, is all placed together in the perfect symmetry of the Kalachakra Mandala, which is a visual prayer to achieve balance and peace in the universe, and consequently, within.

This mesmeric Thangka carrying the sacred Kalachakra diagram, creates three-dimensional imagery using a glimmering golden color.

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Specifications

	RTO176
	Pure 24 Carat Gold,Gouache and acrylic colors on Cotton Canvas
	Dimensions: 10.5 inch Height X 10.5 inch Width
	Weight: 400 gm

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The use of pure gold in Tibetan Thangkas is a preserved artistic technique, for which Newar artists supply the prepared gold paint and Thangka painters apply the material on the canvas meticulously to give in a divine appeal. The golden landscapes of Kalachakra Mandala are circled by sacred syllables painted in vibrant shades, an artistic way to catch the eye of the initiate meditating, toward the Mantra, and begin the ritual of chanting to reach the inner Mandala, where lies the Enlightened Wisdom of Buddha.

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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