Ardgrain

Based in Morayshire, Tibetan Thangkas offer authentic Tibetan Buddhist Art by Giclee Prints

Thangka painting is an ancient Tibetan Buddhist art form, which has been practised in Tibet for much more than one thousand years. Thangka, simply is the Tibetan word for painting. In the paintings of this Tibetan Buddhist art form the many and various deities and venerable teachers such as the historical Lord Buddha Shakyamuni are shown. These images inspire through their beauty, but also, a painted deity is a visual support for those practicing meditation.

To establish Buddhism in Tibet, the innovative Tibetan king Songsten Gampo married the Chinese princess Kongjo in early seventh century. She brought scriptures of Lord Buddha's Teachings, Buddhist sculptures and paintings, and also introduced a Chinese style of painting with the artists, who came with her from China. This early stage of Tibetan Thangka painting has been referred to as the old Gadri style.

Another style of Tibetan Thangka, Menri, was introduced in Tibet from Nepal in the 9th century. And these are the two main traditions with their varying schools, found in Tibetan Thangka painting. Gadri has been established in the Eastern part of Tibet, whereas Menri is in Central and Western part of the country.

Tibetan Thangkas offer Giclee Art  Prints of Tibetan Buddhist paintings, from Findhorn in Morrayshire.

Text for this Ardgrain Aberdeenshire Guide article has been kindly provided by Heinz Hoes.

www.tibetan-thangkas.co.uk