Mandala of the 'Fearless' Buddha

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The basic structure of a mandala consists of multiple circles enclosing the square plan of the sacred palace proper. The outermost circle consists of a ring of brilliant flames in five alternating colors. This circle is the Mountain of Fire (Tib. Me-ri) designed to deny access to the mysteries of the mandala to the unenlightened and the uninitiated. Symbolically these flames stand for the burning consciousness which, in the process of concentration, should consume all spiritual obstacles, impurities, wrong-thinking and the clouds of ignorance, permitting individuals to proceed from dualistic thinking to gnostic unity.

Then follows the second circle which shows interconnected vajras. The vajra signifies the indestructible adamantine nature of pure consciousness, and it is the strongest symbol of the state of enlightenment that can be revealed in a mandala.

Finally, a ring of lotus petals forms the inside boundary. These petals symbolize the harmonious unfolding of spiritual vision which is possible only in a pure consciousness.

Having passed through the initial stages, we now stand in proximity to the sacred area of the deity of the mandala. Its square plan shows the four gates at the four points of the compass which are enclosed by the points of a crossed diamond sceptre (Skt. Vishvavajra). The double vajra or the vishvavajra is the symbolic foundation for the square-shaped area, referred to as a palace. Crowning each gate are a male and female deer resting on either side of the golden dharmachakra or 'wheel of dharma.' They represent harmony, happiness, and fidelity, and are especially important in Buddhist thought since the Buddha preached his first sermon at the Deer Park, which is often called as the 'first turning of the wheel of dharma.'

The square palace encloses an eight-petalled lotus flower. Marked on these petals are the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism. At the center of the flower is the Great Buddha himself, showing the Abhaya mudra which grants the boon of fearlessness. The eight symbols unfolding in the eight petals emphasize that these auspicious objects are emanations of the Buddha himself.

This thangka painting was created by the monk-artist Ram Bdr. Lama, at the Lama Thanka Painting School in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu.

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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.