Mandala Mahakala Thangka

This Mandala Mahakala Thangka is a unique piece, painted by a Tibetan artist in Nepal and purchased in Kathmandu by one of our supporters around 1978.

Hand-painted on thick canvas, the outlines are highlighted in gold paint.

The focal feature of this ornate Buddhist scroll painting is the mandala, a symbolic picture of our universe representing the never-ending cycle of life. In the centre of the mandala, a three-eyed, blue-skinned deity Mahakala has been positioned. The Mahakala is one of the wrathful deities which in Vajrayana Buddhism are known as Dharmapala (the Protector of the Law – Dharma). His terrifying image is to ward off the enemies and protect the followers of Buddhism. On four sides, four peaceful deities surround the Mahakala.

At the top of the painting sits the figure of Tsongkhapa, the great founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. He has been flanked by figures of graceful dakinis floating in clouds. In the lower part of the thangka, a mountain landscape has been painted with a meditating figure sitting on a tiger.

DETAILS

The size of painting: 32 x 43 cm
With the frame of brocade cloth: 57 x 92 cm

Condition: very good, small stain on the yellow veil cloth