Contents and Themes of Thangka

Thangka is an important means and art form for the spread of Buddhism, and more than 80% of its content is related to religion.

Statue Thangka mainly consists of single, double, triple or multi-figure compositions of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, female Buddha Mothers, Arhats, Dharma Protectors, Vajras, Heavenly Kings, Tara, Celestial Lords, Tibetan Kings, Sect Founders, Dharma Kings, eminent monks, great achievers, translators, sages, etc., mainly to eulogize their merits or achievements.

Biography Thangka is a portrait of the biography of Buddhas, Tibetan Kings, Sect Founders, Panchen Lamas of successive generations, eminent monks, great virtues, translators and sages. It mainly uses a single picture, dozens or even hundreds of consecutive pictures to present a continuous theme.

Story Thangka uses a single or multiple Thangkas to present a complete historical story or mythological legend. For example, the eleventh piece in the Origin of Sakyamuni Thangka tells the story of Sakyamuni's renunciation, asceticism, subjugation of demons, turning of the Dharma wheel and other Buddha's life stories. Sakyamuni Buddha resides in the center of the picture, with an elegant posture, full of wisdom and compassion. Around the central Buddha, these plots unfold slowly from the upper left to the lower part.

Mandala is a transliteration of Sanskrit, referring to a unique religious and cultural product of Tibetan Buddhism - the Mandala, a pattern form that is round on the outside and square on the inside. Such Thangkas are enshrined when Tibetan Buddhism practices esoteric methods and are used as religious ritual utensils.

Knowledge Thangka is a highly practical hanging picture, including medicine, astronomy and calendar, ancient architecture Thangka, etc. Such Thangkas are artistic wonders that emerged with the progress of Tibetan society and the prosperity of Thangka art, broadening the theme content and developing towards practicality.