The Japanese Buddha

$375
Item Code: TS43
Specifications:
Tibetan Thangka Painting
Dimensions Size of Painted Surface 18.0" X 29.5"
Size with Brocade 30.5" X 51.5"
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
Fair trade
Fair trade
This thangka depicts a Japanese Buddha, who is standing on a lotus flower, in a lake; his right hand is in vitarka mudra while the left hand is in varada mudra (gesture of granting boon).Here Buddha has a Japanese looking face like, heavy eyelids,moustash, and a beard.His figure depicts some of the thirty-two charactistics of mahapurusha as mentioned in Buddhist text, Dighanikaya: oval face, urna or circle between the eyebrows, curly hair, (here Buddha's hair has been fashioned in wave, in Gandharan style) ushnisha on the top of the head with jewel,elongated ear-lobes, broad shoulders and long arms. His heavy robes covering both the shoulders with wavy lines in the folds, decorated with floral motifs.There is sun disc like halo behind his head.

It is belived that Buddhism arrived in Japan by the end of 6th century A.D.through China and Korea.The advent of the faith naturally led to the introduction of Buddhist art-forms. Shakyamuni Buddha is called Shaka Butsu in Japanese.The first image of Buddha, arrived in Japan from Paekje (Korea), was of gold and copper, by Buddhist monks. The introduction of Buddhism into Japan led also to an opposition by indigenous Shintoism, but it had a great patron in the form of Prince Shotoku, an ardent believer of Buddhism who held the rank of regent during the reign of his aunt, the Empress Suiko.During this period Buddhism spread rapidly througout the country.

The Archaeological remains suggest that they were following Mahayana Buddhism and offering prayer to Shakyamuni, Bhaishajyaguru, Amitabha, and other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara and Maitreya. It is said that at first Buddhist images were worshipped at private homes, but later on monasteries were built. The arrival of Buddhism and Buddhist art was one of the most important, epoch-making events in the entire history of Japanese culture. It enriched the spiritual life of the people, and at the same time prompted them to adopt the highly advanced culture that had developed together with Buddhism on the Asian continent.

Icono-plastically Early Buddhist images in Japan were made on the ideals of Chinese and Korean Art, but gradualy they developed their own style.During the Fujiwara period (11th-12th centuries A.D.), the archetype of Japanese conception of beauty were developed, featuring sophisticated harmony and decorative elegance. At that time culture was dominated by the aristocrats who had grown rich from the income of their vast estates, and by the monks of the great monateries who reflected the taste of their patrons. Buddhist art was a major aspects of this culture, the construction of monasteries and images were zealously promopted by the aristocracy. One cannot fail to notice, moreover, the phenomenon of indigenization in all aspcts of Japanese culture that took place after the official interchanges with Asian countries were discontinued towards the end of 11th century A.D.Buddhist sculptures and paintings of this period absorbed less and less Chinese influence and became more and more Japanese in Spirit, Culminating in the graceful and well-proportioned style of the eleventh century which is called wa-yo, Japanese style.

The thangka or hanging scroll were also developed in Japan, which mainly produced mandala and holy images required in the practice of sadhana.In this thangka Shaka Butsu or Shakyamuni Buddha is depicted in Japanese style.

The Nagas play a leading role in the life of Lord Buddha - they bath him at birth, Muchilinda the Naga-king guards the Buddha against the fury of the elements unleased by Mara during his meditation in Bodh Gaya, the Naga-king Elapatra comes to listen to the sermon of the Buddha, and so on.The Nagas are also believed to be the protectotors of the Law of Buddha.As per one Buddhist tradition, the prajnaparamita text was put under the protection of the Nagas by Shakyamuni Buddha until such a time as the human race should have have acquired sufficient knowledge to understand it. In the second century A.D.,the sage Nagarjuna claimed to have received the prajnaparamita from the Nagas on which je founded the Mahayana School.Moreover the cult of Nagas and Serpent worship was very much popular in many parts of Indian subcontinent and Asia.Sepent worship has special place in Tantra

The Indian representations of Nagas gods from 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. were human form with cobra's hoods behind the head. After the 12th century, the Nagas were represented with the body ending in a serpent,s tail. In this painting a Naga Kanya is shown with human head and five-hoods behind her head. She has a long serpent tail. She is offering a lotus to the Buddha, symbolizing her respect and devotion towards the Buddha. Makara is also a popular and auspicious motif in Indian and Northern Buddhist art.The brocade is woven with stylized vishva vajra and stylized auspicious symbols.

This description is by Dr. Shailendra K. Verma, whose Doctorate thesis is on "Emergence and Evolution of the Buddha Image (From its inception to 8th century A.D.)".

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Unveiling the Divine Art: Journey into the Making of Thangkas

A Thangka is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist painting that usually depicts a Buddhist Deity (Buddha or Bodhisattva), a scene, or a mandala. These paintings are considered important paraphernalia in Buddhist rituals. They are used to teach the life of the Buddha, various lamas, and Bodhisattvas to the monastic students, and are also useful in visualizing the deity while meditating. One of the most important subjects of thangkas is the Bhavacakra (the wheel of life) which depicts the Art of Enlightenment. It is believed that Thangka paintings were developed over the centuries from the murals, of which only a few can be seen in the Ajanta caves in India and the Mogao caves in Gansu Province, Tibet. Thangkas are painted on cotton or silk applique and are usually small in size. The artist of these paintings is highly trained and has a proper understanding of Buddhist philosophy, knowledge, and background to create a realistic and bona fide painting.
The process of making a thangka begins with stitching a loosely woven cotton fabric onto a wooden frame. Traditionally, the canvas was prepared by coating it with gesso, chalk, and base pigment.
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After this, the outline of the form of the deity is sketched with a pencil or charcoal onto the canvas using iconographic grids. The drawing process is followed in accordance with strict guidelines laid out in Buddhist scriptures. The systematic grid helps the artist to make a geometrical and professional painting. When the drawing of the figures is finalized and adjusted, it is then outlined with black ink.
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Earlier, a special paint of different colors was made by mixing powdered forms of organic (vegetable) and mineral pigments in a water-soluble adhesive. Nowadays, artists use acrylic paints instead. The colors are now applied to the sketch using the wet and dry brush techniques. One of the characteristic features of a thangka is the use of vibrant colors such as red, blue, black, green, yellow, etc.
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In the final step, pure gold is coated over some parts of the thangka to increase its beauty. Due to this beautification, thangkas are much more expensive and also stand out from other ordinary paintings.
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Thangka paintings are generally kept unrolled when not on display on the wall. They also come with a frame, a silken cover in front, and a textile backing to protect the painting from getting damaged. Because Thangkas are delicate in nature, they are recommended to be kept in places with no excess moisture and where there is not much exposure to sunlight. This makes them last a long time without their colors fading away. Painting a thangka is an elaborate and complex process and requires excellent skills. A skilled artist can take up to 6 months to complete a detailed thangka painting. In earlier times, thangka painters were lamas that spent many years on Buddhist studies before they painted.
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