| 2.Steps
in the painting:
Line
Drawing :
To
begin with, if the artist is conversant with
iconography of the deity, some line sketches
of the deity are made on the cotton surface.
In ancient Thanka painting, the artist drew
figures according to econometric principles
or angul measures. Every novice artist traced
his master’s drawing.
An artist should have great mastery over the
drawing process; he should have a through understanding
of econometric principles and the philosophy
behind his subject matter. The execution of
the drawing requires profound vigilance and
patience. After all,. The art of Thanka painting
is itself a form of meditation.
Today, master artist also draw freehand sketches
straight onto the surface. As novice artist,
however, makes a copy of sketches prepared by
the master artist and traces it on the canvas.
Coloring:
In tantric Buddhist tradition, color has profound
spiritual significance. The sadhaka gives expressions
to his psychic expressions to his psychic experience
through the symbolism of color. The five basic
colors-namely white, blue, yellow, red, and
green have different religious meanings. Black
symbolizes killing and anger, white denotes
rest and repose, yellow stands for restraint
and nourishment, red is indicative of subjugationm
and green symbolizes exorcism.
In traditional Thanka paintings, only the primary
colors are used: red, blue, yellow, black and
white . in addition, indigo blue and crimson
Lac are two supplementary colors which enhance
the effect of graduation. Buffalo glue (newa
Saresh ) is the medium of all opaque colors.
From these primary colors one can make any colors
on chooses.
Shape Lining:
Shape lining is an important step in the process
of Thanka painting. Each object depicted in
the Thanka requires precise outlining, The skilled
artist may be recognized by his mastery of outlining
detains, which should remain harmonious throughout
the painting. Harmonious outlining is at the
heart of Thanka painting skill. The princess
if outlining shapes takes place during the initial
coat, when fundamental colors are laid down.
Principal designs, such as background elements,
toranas, ornamentation, clothing, lotuses, thrones
and so forth are filled in during this shape
lining process.
Shading:
Master artists use a special shading technique
called ‘web and dry shading’. Dry shading is
executed with only one brush, thereby producing
a graduation with dark colors. The purpose of
this shading technique is to introduce gradation
by applying dark colors like crimsons lac over
light colors such as red, orange, yellow and
white. White indigo is used to add highlights
over a green or blue base. The technique is
mostly used to give a solid, three dimensional
effects to objects.
Generally the background of the painting is
shaded first and then the artist proceeds to
shade the central objects. One of the feature
of master art is that an artist often spends
several months and even years for a major painting.
Ormamentation:
There are both simple and elaborate methods
for rendering gold Ornaments. Especially large
ornaments are painted first with yellow ochre
as a primary coat. Gold is then painted flat
on the yellow ochre and lining is executed on
top of the gold, giving rise to various shapes
and designs. Following this, the artist uses
different colors to designs. Following this,
the artist uses different colors to simulate
the effects of stones or jewels, as required.
With the exception of these Ornamaent, gold
is the last pigment to be laid down over certain
areas of the Thanka, e. g . clothing, lotuses,
toranas and other decorative patterns. In these
cases, the artist can use various designs as
he desires. The use of gold in painting stems
form the patton’s wish to make a pious offering.
Offering gold brings forth tremendous merit,
depending upon the attitude and motivation of
the sponsor .
Finishing:
After completing the facial features, finally
the eyes of the deities are painted. When the
painting is finished, there remains the final
task of consecration (pratistha of the painting
)which is performed by a Tibetan Rinpoche. During
consecration, the Rinpoche sits in meditation,
recites mantras and performs rituals, invokes
the deity concerned, etc.
The Life History of Buddha:
Many years ago there was
a king whose name was Shuddhodhan. He was the
king of Kapilvastu, Lumbini. The Queen of Lumbini
was Mayadevi. The king and Queen had been childless
for sometime and were very sad about it. One
night Queen Mayadevi dreamed of a white elephant.
Actually the white elephant was the Buddha himself.
In the form of this whit elephant, the Buddha
entered her womb. Then she became pregnant.
One day the Queen set out to visit her parents.
One the way she take rest in the loveoy garden
of Lumbini. Then she gave birth, to the Buddha.
Immediately after his birth, he walked seven
steps forward. In the sky appeared gods and
goddesses full of happiness because of his birth.
On the seven day fo his birth, his mother died.
He was then looked after by his stepmother.
Since he was born as a prince, his father taught
him many skills such as horseback riding, sword
play, archery and swimming. The Buddha had a
very king nature; he always thought very seriously
and deeply and was never attracted to anuthing
material or wordly. However, the king wanted
to see his son become a great and powerful king
better even then himself. So to keep him happy,
the Buddha became married to beautiful Princes
Yasodhara who gave birth to Rahul. All these
delights did not make him happy.
One day he wished to leave the confines of the
palace and out into the world. Travelling in
the country he saw an old man. He asked his
friend about him because he had never seen man
that old. It was then he realized that old never
seen man that old age was inevitable and that
he, too would be old some day. This understanding
made him very sad. While traveling he also saw
many who were sick and some who had died. Then
he met a monk and learned that the monk was
in search of enlightenment. He, too, wanted
to find enlightenment and the cause of suffering
He went far from country, Practiced meditation,
and learned many things from many
teachers. But still he had not found the knowledge
he sought and he had tried many forms of meditation.
After six years of meditation, he had become
very very weak- seemed to be only skin and bones.
From this he learned he had to follow the middle
path because he realized that what he needed
to do would take energy, he began eating again.
Finally he achieved enlightenment or Buddhahood.
After achieving enlightenment, he travelled
to many places, preachingto the people. One
day he attained parinirvana left this world,
and went back to heaven.
The wheel of life:
The Wheel of life detailed representation of
basic Buddhist belief i.e. the tranmigratory
existence. It explains in a most lucid manner
the theory of rebirth . The from in which a
being is reborn into the Universe depends upon
his uearlings, prayers and treh amount of merit
and demerit (Karma )he has stored up in his
past life. This suffering of rebirth affects
the whole living universe .
The wheel is held in the embrace of shenje,
ruler of the Dead, showingthat all beings must
eventually meet Death. Shenje, who is again
represented in the sphere of Hell is a ferocious
god with fangs. He is said to symbolize the
fearfulness of death and the hideousness of
clinging to life.
Outside the wheel is a figure of the Lors Buddha,
who is free from the moral and mental obstruction
which can prevent all living beings from achieving
Enlightenment. His presence outside the wheel
implies his escape from the cycle of life.
The Axlw athe first Noble Truth in Buddhist
belief holds that “Suffering exists" the purpose
of Mahayana Buddhist teachings is to relieve
all lining veings from suffering to achive this
end. We must be aware of the three evils,
Which cause our sufferings I.e.ignorance. Lust
and Hatred. These three great vices, whiche
rule the Universe and Keep it in cintiouous
revolution are symbolized by the Pig (ignorance),
the Cock (Lust )and the anake (hatred )by abstaining
from these thr vices, we may further our progress
on the path to Nirvana.
The outer axle shows the manifestation of a
white bright heaven and dark black hell.
The spokes: The spokes of the wheel divide out
Universe into six sensual realms: Gods Demigods
or titans/Human begin, Animals yidags or Ghosts,
and Hells, Meritorious Karma causes begins to
take revirth in the realms or gods demigods
and men, De meritorious Karmas causes rebirth
in the lower tealms of animals yidags and hells.
Nevertheless, the beigns of the six realms cannot
escape the suffering of the universe; in each
of the reams, suffering exists. Also in each
realm, The compassion of Lord Buddha is al pervading.
This compassion; rising from every direction,
helps all beings towards the path to enlightenment
and release from the suffering of the universe.
Mandala:
Mandala (Literally meaning a circle )is a Tantric
meditation device. All mandalas are visual supports
of concentration and meditation, ritual aids
on the path towards the enlightenment. The Dalai
Lama explains that the image of the mandala
is said to extremely profound because
meditation on it serves as an antidote, quickly
eradicating the obstruction to liberation and
obstruction to omniscience as well as the latent
predispositions. The Mandala is the graphic
but practical as and operational scheme involving
a clear plan for practical realization of the
process within oneself. It thus become and instrument
(Yantra). There are many types and varieties
of mandalas depending on the nature of the central
deity. The most classic pattern of mandala are
of the Dhuani Buddha. This pattern appears in
the oldest tantrics. The mandala represents
“palce of purity” a magic sphere cleansed of
spiritual obstacles and impurities. The square
of the “sacred palace” is enclosed in multiple
circles of flame, vajra, eigh cemeteries (appears
only in wrathful deities ) lotus, then the inner
square to reach of the deity of the Mandala.
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