Articles

Hand-painted Vajrapani thangka shown framed in a room

Vajrapani Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

Vajrapani, "vajra in hand", is the bodhisattva of power and one of the three protectors....
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Hand-painted Shakyamuni Buddha thangka shown framed in a room

Shakyamuni Buddha Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, born in Lumbini in Nepal: how thangkas show him, his gestures...
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Hand-painted Dukkar thangka shown framed in a room

Dukkar (White Parasol) Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

Dukkar, the White Parasol goddess, is invoked for protection. Her thousand heads, arms and legs,...
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Hand-painted Way to Heaven thangka shown framed in a room

What Is a Way to Heaven Thangka?

The 'Way to Heaven' thangka shows the nine stages of calm abiding: a monk taming...
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Hand-painted 35 Confession Buddhas thangka shown framed in a room

35 Confession Buddhas Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

The 35 Confession Buddhas: the purification practice behind them, how painters tell the Buddhas apart,...
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Hand-painted Vajrakilaya thangka shown framed in a room

Vajrakilaya Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

Vajrakilaya (Dorje Phurba), the wrathful deity who removes obstacles, known by his ritual dagger: his...
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Hand-painted Vajrasattva thangka shown framed in a room

Vajrasattva Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

Vajrasattva, the Buddha of purification, with vajra and bell: how he is painted, alone or...
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Hand-painted Medicine Buddha thangka shown framed in a room

Medicine Buddha Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

The Medicine Buddha, deep blue like lapis lazuli, with his bowl and myrobalan plant: his...
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Hand-painted Wheel of Life thangka shown framed in a room

The Wheel of Life (Bhavachakra) Thangka Explained

The Wheel of Life is a Buddhist teaching painted as a picture: the cycle of...
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Hand-painted Green Tara thangka shown framed in a room

Green Tara Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

Green Tara, the female Buddha known for coming swiftly to help: her posture, gestures and...
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Hand-painted White Tara thangka shown framed in a room

White Tara Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

White Tara, the female Buddha of long life and compassion, with her seven eyes: her...
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Hand-painted Mahakala thangka shown framed in a room

Mahakala Thangkas: Meaning and Symbols

Mahakala, the Great Black One, protects the Buddhist teachings. His main forms, and what his...
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