Fudo-Myo-O

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Their cult was introduced from China into Japan by the followers of the Shingon sect. Initially considered as esoteric deities, they were popularized, probably from the thirteenth century, the monks ascribing to them the power of protecting humans against the evil influences coming, according to an ancient Chinese belief, from the Kimon (in the north-east) or the 'gate of demons'.

Among these kings of magic knowledge, five great Vidyarajas are distinguished (called Godai Myo-o or Godai-son in Japan) corresponding to the five Jinas. According to the Ninno-kyo Mandara ('the mandala of the Good Kings'), the five great Vidyarajas are:

1) The center, Achalanatha, corresponding to Vairochana.
2) In the east, Trailokyavijaya, corresponding to Akshobhya.
3) In the south, Kundali, corresponding to Ratnasambhava.
4) In the west, Yamantaka, corresponding to Amitabha.
5) In the north, Vajrayaksha (Vajrapani), corresponding to Amoghasiddhi.

Achalanatha also known as Fudo-Myo-O in Japanese, and Budong Fo in Chinese, is believed to be a manifestation of the Dhyani-Buddha Vairochana for the purpose of combating evil. He is believed to be the chief of the five Vidya Rajas.

His appearance is fierce and angry, face menacing, his brows knit together, and expression one of grimace. He is described in many sutras and particularly in the Mahavairochana-sutra. His symbol, the vertically held sword aids him to combat the 'three poisons': greed, anger and ignorance. In the left hand he holds a lasso (pasha) to catch and bind the evil forces and to prevent them from doing harm. Achalanatha, having taken a vow to prolong the life of the faithful by six months and to give them an unshakable resolution to conquer the forces of evil, is sometimes invoked in this respect as the 'prolonger of life'.Click Here to View the Thangka Painting along with its Brocade

Free Shipping. Delivered by to all international destinations within 3 to 5 days, fully insured.

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.