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"Thangka", also known as "Tangka", "Thanka" or "Tanka",

is a word in the Tibetan language meaning "A scroltr of Buddha painting". It is a

popular art form widely seen in the Tibetan area of China. As its subject contents

mostly involve religion, Thangka is also recognized

as a prirnaritry religious painting.

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Chinese FolkArt Thangka 7

ReligiousThangka .......... ll

Thangka of Other Themes 15

Artistic Value of Thangka . .. ß

Goddess of Mercy with four arms

Drawing

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,;: ...,.it' 't11tatrtka", alsO known aS "Tangka", "Thanka" or "Tanka", is a wOrd in the Tibetan

language meaning "a scroll of Buddha painting". It is a popular art form widely

seen in the Tibetan area of China. As its subject contents mostly involve religion,

Thangka is also recognized as a primarily religious painting.

The origin of Thangka was related to the nomads' way of life. Historically Tibetan

people lived on vast plains searching for water and food resources, never settled

down in one location. To satisfy the need of family altars, frescos, and monastefies,

Thangka emerged as times required. Because it could be rolled easily or hung as

a scroll, was not restricted to occasions, and provided the convenience of religious

practice, Thangka was beneficial to the spreading ofBuddhist doctrines. Thus it fast

became an emblem of sarana (conversion to Buddhism) and an object to pay homage

to, as well as the medium to convey Buddhist teaching.

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__...,,'-t'ro-. themes in Thangka reflect Tibetan history, geography, architecture, astronomy, herbal

medicine, literature, drama, and various crafts; while others denote the Tibetan peoples' daily

lives and customs, or describe the origin and folk legends ofTibet Therefore Thangka shows

a diverse range ofTibet and is praised as a visual encyclopedia'

Historical Thangka is based on historical facts, emphasizing on major political events and

activities of Tibet, the distinguishing feature of which is using images to address history and

to unfold stories, such as the well-known story of a monkey turning into a human, implying

the origin of the Tibetan ethnic group or the epic about heroic King Gesaer and the life

achievements of other important figures like Tubo King Songtsen Gampo, Thrisong Deutsen,

Chire Bajin, Tang dynasty princesses Wencheng and Jincheng' Nepal princess Chizun'

Dalai Lama and panchan Erdeni. Thangkas also have pictures depicting Jataka Tales, and

other stories of eminent founders of Buddhist schools. The more renowned ones include

padmasambhva, venerable Atisha, sagya King Phagspa, Milarepa, Tsong-kha-pa, and Fifth

Daiai Lama, etc. Among them is a series of large scale Thangka-Legends of Sagya King

Phagspa,usingmorethanahundredimagestodisplaythewholelifespanofhisreligiousand

political activities, including his two visits to Berjing, the scenery and conventions along the

journey. The key tone ofthe pictures is consistent, ignoring the definite time and space, freed

from the limitation of perspectives, but evolving as the story enfolds, splendidly vivid' This

typeofThangkausuallydenotescompletereligiousstories,oftenusingmultipleperspectives

olaSetofpictures,eachpagecaptionedwithshortphrases,andhighlyaccla.imedforits

arlistic and historical value.

Asking for advice from the greatmaster Lotus Born One at thebanquet in the kingdom of Ling

. Thangka Exhibition in the Art Galleryof Cultural Palace o{ Nationalities in

Beijing

A fierce attack and reinforcements on return journey

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