Series of Buddhas

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In the later forms of Buddhism, the theology grew and, incidentally, so did the number of Buddhas, to a series of 8, 9, 24, 35, 52 or 1,000, and various other numbers. Here, it is not the power of the story that counts, but the might of the number, with its symbolic value of infinity. Much is good, more is better, or there strength in numbers and repetition. In fact, it is a theological impoverishment, caused by many teachers.

This type of portrayal is typical in monasteries with what are known as thousand-Buddha walls, and they frequently appear as a thangka theme.

The positive effect of this numerousness is equal to the endless circling of a prayer wheel that contains a mantra such as OM MANI PADME HUM, and which people turn, repeating the prayer over and over.

This thangka most closely resembles a thousand-Buddha wall. The central Buddha, Shakyamuni, is sitting on the Six-Ornament Throne of Enlightenment, in bhumisparshamudra and is repeated over and over, in identical fashion, in a long series.

Below his throne, and between Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, the intertwined form of the frequently occurring symbol of fortune, ashtamangala, the eight good luck tokens, can be seen. Although odd numbers are more positive than even numbers, eight is still one of the lucky numbers (consider, among other things, the eight cardinal directions, the Eightfold Path). The ashtamangala consists of:

Parasol

First and foremost the parasol offers protection from rain and sun. Out of this grew its function as status symbol: important personages, deities, and the Buddha have the right to a parasol. In a religious sense, a parasol offers protection from unfavorable influences and symbolizes spiritual power.

Fish

Originally, fish were a symbol of the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers in Northern India. Later, they represented water in general, and by association, fertility, prosperity, and happiness.

Treasure Pot

A pot contains water or food. It conveys the idea of gratifying physical needs. Out of this grew the ideal of a pot that is never empty, or a symbol of wish fulfillment (spiritual and material).

Lotus

A lotus is born in the mud, finds it's way upward, and opens just above the surface of the water in all spotlessness. It is a symbol of immaculacy, of the spirit that is. (the lotus doesn't grow in Tibet, so it is often highly stylized in thangkas.)

Conch shell

The white, right-turning (left is more common in nature, but right is more positive than left) whelk is associated with water, and is used on altars for, among other things, incense offerings. Priests also blow on conchs, therefore it is a symbol of the Buddha's fame because the sound of the trumpet goes in all directions.

Wheel

The chakra was once a disk-shaped weapon and sun symbol. The spokes of the wheel symbolize the eight compass points. It is the signature symbol of Buddhism. In Sarnath, the Buddha set the wheel in motion; his teachings began to gain momentum.

Shrivatsa or the Endless Knot

This is the perpetual knot, with neither beginning nor end; everything is interconnected. It is a symbol of the infinity of Buddhism.

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As a sign of victory, this is the symbol of compassionate Buddhist knowledge winning out over ignorance.

This thangka has been achieved in red with gold detail, a type of thangka that is used for friendly or protective deities.

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Of Related Interest:

Mudras of the Great Buddha: Symbolic Gestures and Postures

Buddha Seated on The Six-Ornament Throne of Enlightenment

Sarnath Buddha

Buddha in Bhumisparsha-mudra

Buddha in the Varada Mudra

The Endless Knot

Eight Spoke Wheel of Samsara

Jataka Tales

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.