Importance of Thangka or Thanka Paintings

Ever since the Buddhism rooted in Tibet, the tradition of depicting Thangka or Thanka might have been prevalent around in the area where Buddhism spread. It was about 10th century meanwhile tantric Buddism was gradually being developed in Tibet. The tradition of Thangka or thanka painting was just outset in Tibet and is not confined only within Tibet and Tibetan community but those who adopted the Tibetan Buddhism learnt this art so as Tamangs, Sherpas ,Thakalis, Yolmos, Manangeys, and Newars are the instants. Most of the thangka or thanka viewer simply think that thangka or thanka is an art of the Buddhist scholar of higher intellectuality revere it with entire homage considering mystic power of Lamaistic dieties . In accordance with the religious culture, the Thangka to be kept at the worship room sanctifies with holy water muttering mantras to enliven thangka or thanka mystic power and puts kada (a two feet long silk cloth) on it . Since then the devotee use to bow his /her head before it at the time of worship specially in the morning time. Almost people never consider the thangka or thanka as an object of decoration. By worship of Tara (dolma) goddess results lucrative for the business and as well as the (wrathful diety). Dharmapala protects from the hazardous, calamity, subduing enemies, every accident and fulfilling ones desire in believed with empty heart.

Use Of Thangka or Thanka Paintings

There are various use of Thangka or Thanka Paintings. Thangka or Thanka serve many purposed in Tibetan society. In times past, the aristocracy kept a number of thangka or thanka as precious heirlooms. Ordinary people also invited artists to create thangkas for them for religious purposes or commemorate certain events. Thangkas or Thankas are considered works of stateliness and, therefore, are found in the halls and living quarters of all temples and monasteries.

In a temple, thangka or thanka are use for worship and meditation of a priest, and practice of specific Buddhism.

Thangka or Thanka are intended to serve as a record of, and guide for contemplative experience. For example, you might be instructed by your teacher to imagine yourself as a specific figure in a specific setting. You could use a thangka or thanka as a reference for the details of posture, attitude, colour, clothing. etc., of a figure located in a field, or in a palace, possibly surrounded by many other figures of meditation teachers, your family, etc.. In this way, thangkas or thangka are intended to convey iconographic information in a pictorial manner. A text of the same meditation would supply similar details in written descriptive form.

In Tibetan culture Thangka or Thanka is used for the time of the ceremony on the 49 the of the reparative who passed away. Moreover, it is used also in the case of the congratulation of a marriage ceremony or the New Year.

Thangka or Thanka afford us important material for studying the religion, history, culture, painting, arts and crafts, and scientific achievements of Tibet.

Thangka or Thanka is now a days used as a decorative objects.