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Where does the blessing energy of Tibetan Thangka paintings come from? Thangka art possesses an auspicious energy and magnetic field that can gather wisdom, courage, health, and wealth for those who invite its blessings. But where does this energy originate?
Visualizing Buddhahood
The Tibetan Buddhist practice of "visualizing the Yidam" is a unique form of spiritual cultivation. Practitioners, under the guidance of their teacher, invoke the Yidam - a Buddha, Bodhisattva, or Dakini - as the object of their visualization. They form the Yidam's hand gestures, recite its mantra, and meditate on the Yidam's presence in the space before them, expanding its radiant light and flowing nectar to permeate their entire being. The pinnacle of this practice is the union of the practitioner and the Yidam, or the practitioner "becoming" the Yidam - a realization of the Tantric principle of "enlightenment in this very body."
Artworks of Faith and Spiritual Transformation
Thangka painters are either monastic Lamas or devout Tibetan Buddhist practitioners. Their unwavering faith and devotion to the Dharma imbues the depictions of the Yidam with profound spiritual vitality. Their painting process is one of continuous spiritual practice - they daily engage in incense offerings, prayers, mantra recitation, and scriptural study. Every brushstroke and line they render is infused with their pure aspiration for the Yidam. This is why Thangka art is known as "artworks of faith."
The Tibetan Buddhist practice of recitation has three stages: first, supplicating the Yidam; second, reciting the mantra; and third, the "dedication of merit." This final stage of "dedication" is the greatest virtue of the Thangka painter. As they paint, they simultaneously recite prayers and dedicate the merit to benefit future viewers of the Thangka. This is why Thangka art is also known as "artworks of spiritual transformation."
Thangka - Vessels of Abundant Energy
In Tibetan Buddhist history, the most revered living Buddhas or Lamas are known as "treasure revealers" - great masters who have discovered and disseminated the profound scriptures, teachings, and sacred images that were once hidden in the earth, sky, and all of existence by previous "treasure concealers."
The natural mineral pigments used in Thangka painting - from cinnabar to turquoise, malachite to orpiment, coral to gold and silver - are all considered to be part of this hidden "treasure" lineage. The very materials of Thangka painting are thus imbued with abundant energy and magnetic fields, endowing them with substantial blessing power.
Thangka - Sacred Art and Ritual Implement
The majestic Yidam figures depicted in Thangka paintings are the earthly manifestations of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dakinis. All the great Lamas and masters of Tibetan Buddhism revere and stand in awe of these sacred representations. Through their ritual hand gestures and mantra recitations, they imbue the Yidam embodied in the Tangka with extraordinary spiritual potency and boundless Dharma.
Thus, an empowered Thangka possesses tremendous blessing power. It becomes a sacred implement and object of veneration for the devotee, a refuge for their life and spirit.
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Zakiram/Drashi Lhamo: The Most Efficacious Wealth Goddess of Tibet
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