Thangka paintings
are part of Buddhist culture and are the objects of religious devotion. They
are hung in the homes and monasteries. Thangkas are painted on cotton and silk
fabrics. The paintings are done by water soluble dyes, stone colors along with
herbs and pure gold. The learning of Thangka takes a vigorous training of about
five to six years. There is a strict emphasis on iconic graphic proportions of
the figures. Unique features are the eyes of the image are painted at the end
with the elaborate eye opening ritual.
Avalokitesvara (Lord
who looks down) is a bodhisattva is viewed as the anthropomorphized vehicle for
the actual deity, serving to bring about a better understanding of
Avalokitesvara to humankind. In the Mahayana teachings he is in general
regarded as a high level Bodhisattva.
Cottage has a beautiful
collection of this kind of painting depicting Bodhisatva Lord Avlokiteshwara in
his cosmic form. He is shown with eleven heads and one thousand arms. The
principal pair of hands is held against the chest in the gesture of adoration
while the uppermost hands hold the rosary and the full blown lotus. The other
four hands display the jewel and the gesture of charity on the right and the
pot and the bow and arrow on the left. This exquisite painting has intricate
borders with bodhisatvas on all sides.
