The art of Thanka Painting is very old and has been practived from the 3rd century BC in Tibet. The word "Thanka" is estimated to have derived from the Tibetan word "thang yig" meaning a written record. Thankas are fine paintings that are made with great care and concentration all by hands. The tradition was not only inside Tibet and the Tibetan community it soon spread to those who adopted Tibetan Buddhism learned this wonderful art so Thakali, Sherpas, Tamangs, Yolmos, Manangeys and Newars started creating the beauty. According to religious culture, Thanka can be stored at room sanctifies worship with holy water mumbling mantras to animate Thankas mystical power and puts kada or khata(two feet long silk cloth) on it. Since then, the devout use to divest its head before it at the time of worship especially in the morning. These paintings are generally colored part Buddhist and Hindu Gods, Goddess, meditating Buddha and its life cycle, Wheel of Life, Mandala, Bhairab, Tara, Exotic photos, etc.
As Thanka ritual paintings are most people have never considered the Thankas as decorative object. But nowadays Thankas are gaining popularity as a decorative element throughout the world. Usually painted on cotton cloth, more rarely on silk, colors are traditionally made from mineral and vegetable dyes, but now a day Tibetan artists also use modern synthetic dyes, silver and gold for better presentation.
Our Thanka Art Gallery has the best collection of Newari and Tibetan Guru Naropa Thanka Paintings for Online Sale.
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Guru Naropa lived in India about 900 years ago. Guru Naropa was a great learned man versed in Sutras, Tantras and much other ancient lore. During his stay in the famous Nalanda monastery his intellectual accomplishment was foremost and without any match. But his intellectual pride was humbled by an old lady who was an emanation of Vajrayogini. At that time, she also suggested him to consult Guru Tilopa for the real understanding of Mahamudra.
Guru Naropa searched for Guru Tilopa exerting much effort. His arduous search and devotion to Guru Tilopa has become a legend in itself. Guru Naropa found Guru Tilopa by the bank of a river. He was dressed like a mad man and was eating fish which was unusual for a holy man. Guru Naropa underwent training under him for about twelve years and received the inner transmission of Mahamudra practice. The profound Mahamudra teachings were received by Guru Tilopa directly from Buddha Vajradhara. Guru Naropa is generally dressed in the white lower garments of a yogi. His body is of an ash color like that of a wandering mendicant. His left hand holds a skull cup filled with nectar and his right hand shows Varada Mudra. Guru Naropa sits in Lalitasana posture under an antelope mat. Guru Naropa wears a meditation band on his waist.
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