About Tibetan Thangka Painting

Thangka painting is an ancient Tibetan Buddhist artscriptures of LordBuddha's Teachings, Buddhist
form, which has been practised in Tibet for much moresculptures and paintings, and also introduced a Chinese
than one thousand years. Thangka, simply is thestyle of painting with the artists, who came with her
Tibetan word for painting. In the paintings of thisfrom China. This early stage of Tibetan Thangka
Tibetan Buddhist art form the many and various deitiespainting has been referred to as the old Gadri style.
and venerable teachers such as the historical LordAnother style of Tibetan Thangka painting, Menri, was
Buddha Shakyamuni are shown. These images inspireintroduced in Tibet from Nepal in the 9th century. And
through their beauty, but also, a painted deity is a visualthese are the two main traditions with their varying
support for those practising meditation.schools, found in Tibetan Thangka painting. Gadri has
The origins of Thangka painting go back to Lordbeen established in the Eastern part of Tibet, whereas
Buddha Shakyamuni and stretch even further beyondMenri is in Central and Western part of the country.
into the past. Lord Buddha lived about 2600 years agoIn the year 1500, the Gadri style experienced a
in India, where He taught the Holy Dharma to a largerenaissance due to the influence of the artist Namka
following and also instructed and inspired many artists.Tashi, who was linked to the Great Saint Mikyo Dorje,
As Lord Buddha's Teachings flourished in India beyondthe 8th Karmapa. Further significant contributions came
His lifetime, His Teachings spread to neighbouringthrough the artists Cho Tashi and then Kasho Karma
countries like Tibet, too.Tashi. These three artists established what has been
To establish Buddhism in Tibet, the innovative Tibetanknown as the Karma Gadri style of Tibetan Thangka
king Songsten Gampo married the Chinese princesspainting, which is still true today.
Kongjo in early seventh century. She brought