| Thangka painting is an ancient Tibetan Buddhist art | | | | Buddhist sculptures and paintings, and also introduced |
| form, which has been practised in Tibet for much | | | | a Chinese style of painting with the artists, who |
| more than one thousand years. Thangka, simply is | | | | came with her from China. This early stage of |
| the Tibetan word for painting. In the paintings of | | | | Tibetan Thangka painting has been referred to as the |
| this Tibetan Buddhist art form the many and various | | | | old Gadri style. |
| deities and venerable teachers such as the historical | | | | Another style of Tibetan Thangka painting, Menri, |
| Lord Buddha Shakyamuni are shown. These images | | | | was introduced in Tibet from Nepal in the 9th |
| inspire through their beauty, but also, a painted deity | | | | century. And these are the two main traditions with |
| is a visual support for those practising meditation. | | | | their varying schools, found in Tibetan Thangka |
| The origins of Thangka painting go back to Lord | | | | painting. Gadri has been established in the Eastern |
| Buddha Shakyamuni and stretch even further beyond | | | | part of Tibet, whereas Menri is in Central and |
| into the past. Lord Buddha lived about 2600 years | | | | Western part of the country. |
| ago in India, where He taught the Holy Dharma to a | | | | In the year 1500, the Gadri style experienced a |
| large following and also instructed and inspired many | | | | renaissance due to the influence of the artist Namka |
| artists. As Lord Buddha's Teachings flourished in | | | | Tashi, who was linked to the Great Saint Mikyo |
| India beyond His lifetime, His Teachings spread to | | | | Dorje, the 8th Karmapa. Further significant |
| neighbouring countries like Tibet, too. | | | | contributions came through the artists Cho Tashi and |
| To establish Buddhism in Tibet, the innovative | | | | then Kasho Karma Tashi. These three artists |
| Tibetan king Songsten Gampo married the Chinese | | | | established what has been known as the Karma |
| princess Kongjo in early seventh century. She | | | | Gadri style of Tibetan Thangka painting, which is still |
| brought scriptures of Lord Buddha’s Teachings, | | | | true today. |