Wide world people, who are interested in Buddhism. Should be aware there are three main branches and sects of Buddhism. Mahayana (The Greater Wheel), Theravada (Smaller Wheel) and Vajrayana (A tantric belief similar to ancient Bon of pre-Buddhism).
The Wheel of Life Thangka Paintings are found only in Mahayana Buddhist Monasteries. It is also decorated on the walls of homes and in prayed altars and shrines. The Wheel of Life is commonly found in Thangka is a deep insight, intense and absolute form of arts or paintings. Which are displayed as a cycle of life or Samsara, illustrates the life of Lord Buddha. As well of all human cycles from birth to death and rebirth.
Important details of Thangka Wheel of Life:
Most Thangka and Wheel of Life have animal and bird characters around the center in a small circle. Representing three animals and a bird, a pig, snake and a rooster. These characters’ focus on three major illusions, the source of suffering.
The animal and bird charterers represents as follows:
- The Pig for Ignorance.
- The snake for Anger.
- The Rooster for Desire, Greed and Attachment.
Snakes and Roosters are displayed arising from the mouth of a pig.
It signifies both the destructive nature of desire and anger, due to ignorance.
But in some paintings, it depicts all three forms on a ring to signify the inter-reliant natures of all these three delusions.
The Six Realms of the Wheel of Life:
It represents the largest wheel of Life painted on the Thangka.
Additional segmented into six sections.
Each of these section represents an individual realm namely,
- God Realm.
- Demi God Realm.
- Animal Realm.
- Hell Realm.
- Hungry Ghost Realm.
- Human Realm.
It is important to know and understand that as our movement of the body, mind and soul including speech. Which is the root of origination from our mental intentions.
These 6 Realms of the Wheel of Life are the creation of our own, one can understand as a different state of one’s consciousness.
Since our actions of body, speech and mind are caused by the origination of our mental intentions. These six realms are too, the creation of our own mind.
What is the Wheel of Life Thangka?
The Wheel of Life on Thangka paintings represents the life cycles of all humans and creatures in this world. It provides the monks and pilgrims as visual prayers and connects the disciple to the divine. Which is an artistic way of representing the philosophy of Buddhism.
The Wheel of Life Thangka also represents the Mahayana Buddhist Calendar in the form of animals and birds. Like this year 2026 in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar is the year of a ‘Horse’. Which is similar to Chinese Year, the Tibetan Buddhism or Mahayana celebrates the New Year or Losar. It starts in the mid-February as per the Gregorian calendar.
The Wheel of Life on Thangka arts and paintings, it also depicts three major illusions of life cycles. It represents the animals and all living creatures like a pig, a rooster and a snake. The Wheel of Life also designates the destructive natures of desire and anger the main source from one’s ignorance.
The Wheel of Life in Thangka is almost similar to Mandala in Tibetan Buddhist art form.
It has the same circular form of sacred art and structure of a mandala.
The Wheel of Life has more detail, which is the major object and learning tools for all Buddhist disciples.
Why Is the Wheel of Life Displayed in Monasteries?
The Wheel of Life is an awareness and one of the most important messages and information. Displayed in the Mahayana sect of Buddhism Monasteries and chapels. The Wheel of Life shows each and every detail as per the aspects of worldly life. For both humans and creatures, it is regarded as a sacred object with full details. It helps and focuses on meditation to gain spiritual merits through the guidelines laid out in Buddhist scriptures. The main subjects on Wheel of Life includes Buddha’s, Bodhisattvas, Mandalas (meditational maps), with various peaceful or wrathful deities. A great awareness to all interested disciples and monks in Buddhism belief.
A Reminder of Karma and Responsibly
The Wheel of Life on Thangka paintings and arts, reminds the disciple and monks of great responsibility of Karma. The purpose of Karma and Responsibilities on Thangka. It started its origin in the early 15th Century around the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Tibet. Aphilosophical description of the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha showing a deluded state of mind within the sphere of suffering.
In Buddhism it literally means the act and nature of one’s life, you achieve what you deserve. Through your action in life, similar to Newton’s 3rd law of graviton.
It states that for each and every action there is an equal reaction.
It teaches all human beings to perform a good act of Karma or deeds in their present life. So that in their next life or reincarnation, one will have a better and good life. A good Karma reflects upon both external and internal situations within this cycle of life through our Karma.
Preserving Culture and Spiritual Heritage:
Preserving culture and spiritual heritage is important to all human beings in this world. Asian countries are renowned for their age-old traditions and cultural heritage. Especially, in Hindu and Buddhist religions where villages and towns or cities have their place of worship. Like the temples, monasteries, shrines where disciples of both religions pay homage every day or once a week.
Besides the religious sites and spiritual holy places, the culture and spiritual heritage around the Himalaya of Nepal and Tibet.
Great religious events and festivals are held annually with pomp and ceremony. Which is also the best way of preserving one’s culture, traditions and spiritual heritages. The act and practices of preserving culture is also the best means of protecting age-old heritages. Not only through prayers in temples and monasteries. But it also supports and saves the local pristine environment by traditional and spiritual heritages. Preserving culture and spiritual heritage is a bond between human beings and nature.
More than Decoration: A Living Teaching:
Thangka and Wheel of Life arts and painting is more than a decoration, as it depicts the meaning of life. It is living and guideline teaching for all people who are interested in Buddhism practices. It is an object that supports mind and soul from the inner depth of Thangka and Wheel of Life.
Apart from decoration it is fine tapestry and a frame of art with spiritual meaning. It is a “visual prayer” which connects the disciple and monks to the power of the divine. It offers an artistic representation of Buddhist philosophy and way of life through the art of Healing.
How to make it?
Thangka is a religious art, it has intricate designs with the right color of painting as per the subjects. It is widely known as a traditional Tibetan Buddhist painting used on cotton or silk. People who are interested in Thangka Painting and Arts should first learn the philosophy of Buddhism. After understanding the depth of and background of Buddhism, then find a good guru. Who can teach the Thangka arts and painting? In Kathmandu there are dozens of schools and institutes to join for
Thangka paintings. The first step is to sketch and scroll on a canvas. After using the right colors and painting as per the objects it is framed in silk brocade.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion:
Thangka with subjects and objects are religious paintings, showing the way of life cycles. The subjects can vary from wheel of life, cosmic, heavenly bodies or karma of life, good or bad. Thangka paintings depend upon each and every person as per one’s interest. Either for religious and spiritual meaning or just to admire and appreciate the arts of paintings. The Tangkas are special tapestry arts that come in two types of colors, natural or chemical. The natural paintings used various rich earth, stones and vegetables. Thangka can be rich, precious and valuable which are done in silver or gold dust. As it sparkles and reflects the image bright in darkness. For customers, Thangka can be bought for your own use or to present a gift to your friends and family members. Thangka is a unique art and painting, it is a great masterpiece. As it has inner depth of fable stories, life cycle and teaching of Lord Buddha’s and Great Gurus.
Important details of Thangka Wheel of Life:
Most Thangka and Wheel of Life have animal and bird characters around the center in a small circle. Representing three animals and a bird, a pig, snake and a rooster. These characters’ focus on three major illusions, the source of suffering.
The animal and bird charterers represents as follows:
- The Pig for Ignorance.
- The snake for Anger.
- The Rooster for Desire, Greed and Attachment.
Snakes and Roosters are displayed arising from the mouth of a pig.
It signifies both the destructive nature of desire and anger, due to ignorance.
But in some paintings, it depicts all three forms on a ring to signify the inter-reliant natures of all these three delusions.
The Six Realms of the Wheel of Life:
It represents the largest wheel of Life painted on the Thangka.
Additional segmented into six sections.
Each of these section represents an individual realm namely,
- God Realm.
- Demi God Realm.
- Animal Realm.
- Hell Realm.
- Hungry Ghost Realm.
- Human Realm.
It is important to know and understand that as our movement of the body, mind and soul including speech. Which is the root of origination from our mental intentions.
These 6 Realms of the Wheel of Life are the creation of our own, one can understand as a different state of one’s consciousness.
Since our actions of body, speech and mind are caused by the origination of our mental intentions. These six realms are too, the creation of our own mind.