TRADITIONAL THANGKA PAINTING

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Thangkas are traditionally used as objects of devotion, or as an aid to spiritual practice, and are a source of blessings to all who see them. The art form dates back over 2500 years and depicts deities in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

 

A thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene or mandala. Thangkas are mounted on a textile background with a silk covering and traditionally kept unframed and rolled up when not on display. Because of their delicate quality, thangkas should be kept in a dry place where moisture will not affect the silk. Most thangkas are relatively small, but some are extremely large and were typically displayed on monastery walls or used in religious festivals. Most thangkas are intended for personal meditation or instruction of monastic students. They often have elaborate compositions including many very small figures. A central deity is often surrounded by other figures in a symmetrical composition. Narrative scenes are less common, but do appear.

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PAINTING CLASSES

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Lama Tsondru offers weekly thangka painting classes. These are small, personal classes offered each Sunday and present a great chance to learn the 2500 year old sacred art of Tibetan thangka painting from a real thangka painting master.  

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LANGUAGE CLASSES

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In addition to thangka painting, Lama Tsondru teaches Tibetan language classes, generally on a one-on-one basis. He also teaches occasionally at Yale University’s Center for Language Study and has worked and continues to work with several Tibetan translators and Professors involving Tibetan language.

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If you are interested in thangka painting or Tibetan language classes please contact us.