Norling Home

Facilities

Exhibits

Centre for Arts

Academy of Tibetan Culture

Literary and Cultural Research Centre

Library and Publications

Norling Staff

Volunteer at Norling

Help Norling

Contact Info

Artists painting a mural of the Twelve Deeds of Buddha Shakyamuni in the temple

The traditional art of thangka painting has been developed since the eighth century in Tibet to produce highly stylised images of the Buddha and other religious figures. These images are used for visualisation practices during meditation, or displayed in positions of respect in homes and temples.

Thangka master Temba Chophel trained in Tibet, first in secret, then participating in the early restoration of the Jokhang, the principal temple of Lhasa. Temba Chophel and his artists create authentic thangkas using traditional techniques and materials. Student artists train as apprentices under the master for a minimum of six years. The master-apprentice system of training at Norbulingka Institute gives the student hands-on experience and the satisfaction of being a contributing member of the community from early in his training. It also preserves the traditional and proven Tibetan method of transmitting artistic knowledge and skills from one generation to the next

Students train six days per week. During the first two years of training the thangka apprentice learns to draw images according to the rigorous iconographic rules set out in the scriptures.

The third-year student learns the proportional grids particular to each deity, yogi, or great teacher that he depicts on canvas. He undertakes formal studies of Tibetan Buddhist texts to gain a thorough understanding of the particular qualities and attributes of these religious figures. He also learns to mix paints and to match colours.

Norbulingka artists use earth, plant, and mineral-based pigments to create the rich hues for which Tibetan thangkas are renowned. The strong colours and potent illustration serve to stabilise the image of the deity in the mind during meditation. These striking qualities have made Tibetan thangkas popular with art aficionados the world over.

Preparing the canvas for a Thangka painting

The apprentice learns to prepare canvas and to paint the background scenes of thangkas, depicting clouds, landscape, water, and other elements. Gradually he begins to work on the grid structure of the deity depicted in the thangka, such as the Buddha or White Tara. Under the individual instruction and criticism of the master, the student becomes an expert in knowledge and skills before being recognised as an artist.

Thangkas are painted on a supple canvas and framed with a silk brocade border so they can be rolled up and easily carried. This is a reflection of the Tibetan peopleĖs nomadic origins. Members of the tailoring department choose brocades to enhance the beauty of the painting.

At Norbulingka, thangkas are only made in response to customersĖ orders. Each thangka is designed to meet the patronĖs particular requirements. It will be carefully researched from texts, or the information gathered from the oral teaching of lamas of particular lineages.