Content and Function of Tibet Thangka

Content of Tibet Thangka

The content of Tibet Thangka mainly reflects religious content. Make a general survey of various paint techniques and school; although there are giant differences between different Thangka, like painting, embroidery, barbola and so on, they have a same feature that the content mainly focuses on religion. The Thangka with pure religious content can occupy 80 percents of all Thangka. The content of Tibet Thangka involves Buddha, Bodhisattva, Buddhist arhat, protective deities, famous religious figure, Buddhism architectures, and religious history and so on. Besides, the content of Tibet Thangka also refers to the formation of the world in Tibetan legends, origin of Tibet, science, technique, medical science, astronomy, mathematics, literature, poem, drama, art, and folk legends and so on. Tibet Thangka use picture to tell history and narrate story, which is outstanding feature of Tibet Thangka. From this aspect, Tibet Thangka can be regarded as an encyclopedia of Tibetan. Nevertheless, Tibet Thangka still full of rich religious color when it reflects some other content and subjects.

Function of Tibet Thangka

About the function of Tibet Thangka, this kind of art mainly used to serve for religious life. The development, ebb and flow of Tibet Thangka and fresco, the two Tibetan painting arts are closely related with Tibetan Buddhism. Tibet Thangka is mainly aiming at religion. The monasteries are the center of Tibetan religious culture. Most Thangka, especially excellent works, are gathered in monasteries. The main function of Tibet Thangka is to hang on the wall for religion believers to worship, to meet their need in religious life. The Tibet Thangka which exist among the folk people mainly used by Buddhism believers to decorate their scripture hall, niche for Buddha and so on. However, the decoration function of Tibet Thangka is not very obvious and important.

Painter of Tibet Thangka

The painters of Tibet Thangka most are religious people. In Tibetan history, Thangka painting artists almost ate the Lama in every monastery. The religious painters also did not want to teach the folk people. In many districts, the apprentice will start from the statue of Sakyamuni, which means proclaiming to Buddhism and teacher. The folk people is also very glad to spent large amount of money to invite famous painter to draw Thangka fro them, used for donation or worshipping to increase their merits. In history, the famous Tibet Thangka painters are not only accomplished in Thangka painting, but also knowledgeable Buddhist masters.