Painting - Thangka Mandala

 Painting - Thangka Mandala

- Gouache on cotton canvas, hand-painted
- 2000s from Tibet
- size: approximately 270mm x 270mm

Masterpiece of Tibetan painting mandala with high definition details. Handpainted on cotton canvas with natural colors that are water-soluble pigments. The pigments are both minerals and organic materials, tempered with a solution of grass and glue.

Usage: meditation, intuition, self-knowledge, feng shui , yoga , good auspicious, positive energy, home decor, collectibles

Note: The painting uses water-sensitive colors and should not be wiped with a damp cloth or exposed to water.

Thangka, also known in Nepali as paubha, is a Tibetan religious painting on cloth or cardboard used extensively in meditation. The word thangka means "recorded message." Buddhist teachers and monks roll up thangkas for easier transport. These mandala paintings are used to teach Buddhism in Tibet, where people have traditionally lived a nomadic lifestyle.

The painting technique is passed down through a master-apprentice relationship. Thangka paintings are also common in Nepal, where they are called paubhas. The imagery in these paintings includes Buddhist and Hindu deities. Different colors convey different messages: white symbolizes peace and green symbolizes activity.

Symbolic Meaning

The mandala is a symbolic pattern used in Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism, specifically Vajrayana Buddhism, serving as an aid in sacred rituals and meditation. For Oriental Tradition, Mandalas are artwork shape, circularity, great Knowledge, meditation, ether, spirit and matter. They radiate beauty and harmony. They contain in themselves meaning and intention, which give rise to power, attraction and fascination. They are used both as a means to knowledge and as an attractive and therapeutic means, leading the observer to a state of mental and pre-meditative relaxation.

Mandalas are imbued with symbols, meanings and intent by the artist, so they release these kind of qualities, and act in the environment surrounding them. For these reasons, they are also, an incredible objects to use in Feng Shui. In Tibetan Buddhism, mandalas hold such significance that they can even be used as the blueprint for entire temples.

A mandala can be defined in two ways: externally as a schematic visual representation of the universe, and internally as a guide for meditation in various Asian psychophysical spiritual practices. Essentially, a mandala represents the universe. It is a consecrated area serving as a receptacle for deities and a collection point of universal forces. When a person, the microcosm, enters the mandala spiritually and moves toward its center, they are guided through the processes of cosmic disintegration and reintegration.

A Tibetan mandala, or mandala-painting, typically consists of an outer area surrounding one or more concentric circles. These circles encircle a square with lines running from the center to each corner. At the center and at the center of each triangle are five circles containing symbols or images of deities, most often the five "self-born" Buddhas.

Ritual use

Unlock the transformative potential of mandala painting in ritual practices tailored to your needs. Explore various ways to incorporate mandalas into your spiritual journey, each method offering a unique approach to meditation and self-reflection.

1. Meditation Aid: Harness the power of mandala painting as a tool for deep meditation:

• Choose a serene space: Position your mandala where you can sit comfortably and without distractions.
• Focus your attention: Fix your gaze upon the mandala, allowing your eyes to rest at its center. Take deep, steady breaths to calm the mind.
• Visualization: Envision yourself entering the mandala and journeying towards its core. This visualization aids in deepening concentration and achieving a meditative state.
• Set an intention: Meditate with a specific intention or aspiration in mind, such as peace, harmony, or self-awareness.

2. Altar Decoration: Elevate your sacred space with the presence of a mandala:

• Place the mandala on your altar: Position the mandala prominently, surrounded by other ritual items such as candles, incense, and crystals.
• Ritual cleansing: Purify the space and the mandala with incense or the flame of a candle before beginning your ritual.
• Prayer or meditation: Utilize the mandala as a focal point for prayer or meditation. Contemplate its symbolism and its representation of the universe. 

3. Energy Healing: Harness the healing power of mandalas for chakra alignment and energy therapy:

• Position the mandala in the healing space: Place the mandala where it is visible during energy healing sessions.
• Visualize energy flow: Envision the mandala radiating healing energy, flowing into the body and chakras of the recipient.
• Chakra balancing: Use the center of the mandala as a focal point for focusing on and harmonizing the various chakras.

4. Ceremonial Rituals: Incorporate mandalas into larger ceremonial rituals for spiritual enrichment:

• Preparation: Establish a sacred space with the mandala at its center. Utilize candles, incense, and other sacred objects to enhance the ambiance.
• Ritual procession: During the ceremony, circle the mandala, recite prayers or mantras, and incorporate symbolic objects such as bowls or instruments.
• Conclusion: Conclude the ritual by expressing gratitude to the mandala and the divine forces it represents. Extinguish candles and incense.

5. Sand Mandala Ceremony: Experience the sacred art of creating and dismantling a sand mandala:

• Creation: Crafted with meticulous precision by monks or skilled artists, the sand mandala creation process unfolds over days or weeks.
• Destruction: Symbolizing the impermanence of life and the world, the sand mandala is ceremoniously destroyed. The sand is collected and often dispersed into flowing water, spreading blessings far and wide.

These are just a few ways to incorporate mandala painting into ritual practices, with details varying based on personal beliefs and traditions.