Thangka Painting
A thangka is a traditional Tibetan painting of a Buddha, Buddhist deity, or a mandala. Thangkas are framed in rich, colorful, silk brocades, but they are religious objects, not simply decorations. Such religious works of art function as models on which meditators can reflect, identifying and developing within themselves the qualities such as wisdom and compassion that are embodied in the painting.
Thangka painting is strictly governed by iconographic rules. An artist spends many years as an apprentice, drawing and studying ancient texts under a master. By the end of the apprenticeship, artists are not only technically trained to produce meticulously detailed works, but are also taught by their teachers to actively seek spiritual calm and moral fortitude. Traditionally, as part of this process, thangka painters observed disciplines such as abstaining from meat, alcohol, onions, and garlic, as well as maintaining strict personal cleanliness. Today, however, they do not always do so.
Traditionally, thangkas were created on commissions from religious devotees, and were not sold on the open market. Today, some highly skilled thangka artists still work on commission. Less refined thangkas are produced in bulk for tourist markets in Nepal, India, and elsewhere.
