Wheel Of life Thangka Painting

The Wheel of Life or Bhavachakra, depicted in this hand painted thangka is one of the most interesting subjects of the Buddhist thangka paintings. Not only is it rich in symbolism, but it also captures key aspects of the Buddha's teaching, including rebirth, Karma and dependent origination. The Wheel of Life thangkas generally show the six realms of existence into which a being is continually reborn unless they attain Nirvana. At the center of the painting lies the intertwined images of a pig, a rooster, and a snake that symbolically depict the ignorance,greed, and aggression that characterize the world of suffering and dissatisfaction (samsara). Surrounding the central sphere are beings on the path of spiritual evolution.

The 3 lower segments of the circle depict the less fortunate levels of existence; the animals, ghost realms, and the Hell realms. The 3 upper segments depict the more fortunate realms of humans, gods, and demi-gods. The wheel of deluded existence is held by Mara, the Tibetan version of the Indian Yama (the God of death), pictured here as a sharp-taloned, fanged demon.
The Wheel of Life Buddhist thangkas were used originally as teaching aids, leading men towards the correct path of spiritual freedom. They are also valued as precious artifacts. Painted on quality cotton, the painting has been beautifully mounted on silk.

About Thangka Paintings

Thangka or scroll paintings are sacred artifacts used as physical support in Tibetan Buddhist practices. In Tibetan the word 'than' means flat and the suffix 'ka' stands for painting.

The Thangka is thus a kind of painting done on flat surface but which can be rolled up when not required for display. It is either painted or embroidered and is generally hung in monasteries or a family altar and carried by lamas in ceremonial processions. The pictorial subjects of thangkas include portraits of Buddhas, stories from the lives of saints and great masters. The material most commonly used for thangkas is linen cloth or cotton fabric whereas silk cloth is reserved for important subjects. Before the ritual of thangka painting begins, the material is stitched along the edges with flax thread and stretched on a specially made wooden frame. Then a paste made of animal glue mixed with talcum powder is spread over its surface to block up the holes in it. When the paste is scraped off and the cloth gets thoroughly dried, the material is ready for painting. To begin, the artist works out the sketches of the images with charcoal sticks. The drawing usually begins with the figure in the center and then goes to the surrounding deities or landscape.