Wheel of Life In Buddhism Thankas

This Tibetan style Thanka / Thangka features the Wheel of Life, a representation of the cycle of births through the different realms of existence. The wheel is held in the claws and fangs of Yama, the God of Death, who has been tamed by Buddhist deities and is now a protector of the Wheel of Life.

At the center of the wheel is the Double Vajra, which represents either a Double lightning Bold, or Double Diamond. Since a lightning bolt can cut through the dark of night, and the Diamond is the hardest mineral known, they represent the ability to cut through ignorance.

Circling the Double Vajra are three animals - a boar, a snake and a cock - which represent greed, ignorance and hatred. The next circle shows a series of figures rising to heaven and sinking into hell. The next ring is divided into six sections, showing the half-dozen realms of existence, including heaven, hell, earth, and the animal realm.

This Thanka / Thangka is overwhelming, with beautiful color, large size, and a shimmering brocade balanced together to create a master work. We have seen very few pieces that can match the superb quality of this unique work of art.

Handmade in Nepal
50" x 27" Total Size
28" x 22" Painting Size
$675 (Normally $745)

Scroll down for detailed images of this Thanka / Thangka.

Tibetan Style Thankas or Thangkas
There are so many details in this work, it is difficult to start listing them all. In this shot, one can see the numerous strokes required for the background grid pattern alone, as well as the attention paid to the facial expression. Because of the size of this piece, these details are apparent from a normal viewing distance.

Mahayana Buddhist Thankas Thangkas
This image is of the innermost areas of the Wheel, and you can see the Double Vajra encircled by the three animals, the rising and ascending souls, and the six realms of existence.

Mahayana Buddhist Artwork
This will give you an idea of the size of the image in relation to the silk brocade that surrounds it. The brocade is about 17 inches wide at its widest section (at the bottom), and shows the type of quality that has made Nepali artists famous.