Tibetan Art

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Tibetan Art
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• Suggested Lesson Sequence
• Briefly inform students about the Buddhist
  religion.(The teaching of Buddha that life is
  permeated with suffering caused by desire, that
  suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that
  enlightenment obtained through right conduct,
  wisdom, and meditation releases one from desire,
  suffering, and rebirth.)
• Use this slide show to view and discuss the
  auspicious symbols that are often used in Tibetan
  art. Have students to draw and define them.
• View the images of Buddhas, Bohisattvas (almost
  Buddhas), Thangkas, and Mandalas. Discuss the
  information provided about each.
• Compare old imagery to new imagery. Note
  similarities and differences.
• Ask students how they could used the 8 auspicious
  symbols to create a mandala thangka drawing.
  Supply them with large white paper and colored
  pencils or another medium of your choice.
  Students may want to seek out reference materials
  on the web since Tibetan art is very canonical.
  To best represent it, students should follow the
  canons already set by the ancient people.

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Eight Auspicious Symbols
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The Eight Auspicious Symbols are used repeatedly
in Tibetan religious art. The right coiled white
conch symbolizes the deep, far-reaching, and
melodious sound of the Dharma teachings. In
short, it stands for enlightenment. The precious
umbrella is a symbol of protection The victory
banner symbolizes the victory of ones
negativities over oneself. The golden fish
symbolized realization no longer fearing ones
drowning in the ocean of sufferings. The Dharma
wheel is often called the wheel of life. It
symbolizes all of Buddhas teachings. It allows
all beings to experience joy and liberation. The
vase is a symbol of a vessel for the riches of
spiritual knowledge. The six-sided knot is a
symbol for eternity. The lotus flower symbolizes
purity.
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a linear depiction of the eight auspicious symbols
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a list of the symbols
wheel of life twin fish of realization conch of
enlightenment vase of spiritual knowledge knot of
eternity umbrella of protection banner of
victory lotus of purity
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bodhisattva
a bodhisattva is a person who has almost achieved
buddhahood
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bodhisattva
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bodhisattva
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modern art bodhisattva
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modern art buddha
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buddha thangka
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buddha
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buddha
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mandalas
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Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning center and
circle. It conveys the notion that any center is
tied to its circumference and any circumference
is always determined by its center. Together they
represent wholeness. Examples of mandalas abound
in nature. Every cell in our body, for instance,
is a living mandala. So is the iris of our eye, a
snow crystal, a bird's nest, a bicycle wheel, and
Planet Earth herself. Mandalas have been known to
all cultures throughout history. Individual
designs vary greatly but they always have the
following characteristics a center, cardinal
points that can be contained in a circle, and
usually some form of symmetry. They can be very
simple or extremely complex as in ancient Tibetan
religious designs, Navajo sand paintings, and
huge stained glass windows in medieval
cathedrals. Sanskrit is an ancient Indian
language that is the language of Hinduism and the
Vedas and is the classical literary language of
India.
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modern mandala
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mandala labeled with religious connotations
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modern mandala
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modern mandala
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ancient tibetan mandala
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modern mandala
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modern mandala
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mandala thangka painting
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monks in the act of creating a mandala
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monks in the act of creating a mandala
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thangkas
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A thangka is a portable icon, painted on fine
cloth and sewn into a frame of multicolored silk
brocade. A sheer silk veil is attached at the
top of the frame to protect the painting.
Thangkas are flexible. The custom of rolling
them into scrolls began in ancient times when the
paintings were hand-carried place to place,
teaching the dharma (the religious laws, customs,
and practices of Buddhism).
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The legend of the first thangka a painting is a
wonderful story A Buddhist king desired to
present his loyal ally the king of a
neighboring province with a special gift. The
king could think of nothing more precious than a
portrait of Lord Buddha. Naturally, he summoned
the finest painter. The artist set to the task
but in spite of his skill, he was entirely
overwhelmed in the Buddhas presence. He could
not look directly at the great man. The Buddha
suggested that they retire to a clear, calm lake
nearby. The Buddha sat on the bank while the
artist rendered the portrait from his reflection
on the surface of the water. The works was a
masterpiece. The image was radiant. Proudly the
gift was given. With one look the king attained
an instant understanding of reality. Soon
portraits were painted in the same manner. Thus,
thangka painting was established.
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modern art thangka
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The auspicious symbols are sometimes drawn on
hands and feet as objects of meditation. Other
symbols of Buddhism are also drawn on the hands
and feet.
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How can you create a thangka? a mandala? What
symbols will you use? What is auspicious in your
life?
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Student Work by Multicultural Art Students Fall
2003
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bodhisattva
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auspicious symbols
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focus on the lotus
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b o d h i s a t t v a
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b o d h i s a t t v a
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g o d d e s s
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lotus
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