Amitayus Buddha of Long Life Thangka - 15" x 20"

Amitayus Buddha Of Long Life Thangka

15" x 20"

A Thangka is a painted or embroidered Tibetan banner which was hung in a monastery or a family altar and carried by lamas in ceremonial processions. In Tibetan the word 'than' means flat and the suffix 'ka' stands for painting. The items in this  collection are stunning and will bring much pleasure whether they are used for religious or ornate purposes.
The art is functional, never signed and the strict ethos is on accuracy and intricacy, allowing the traditional rules of iconometry to ensure spiritually beneficial images are created. As such the true techniques take years to master and a lifetime to perfect. Images are considered receptacles of the divine and treated with the utmost respect.
Tibetan art is the visual and symbolic interpretation of the Buddha's teachings and philosophy. Imagery is used to guide and support an individual's spiritual progress

 Buddha.Amitayus.is the main bodhisattva form-emanation of the fire-element, which is symbolized by the Buddha Amithaba and the according deities, called the lotos-family. In most mandalas the fire-element has the color red, is associated with the western region of the universe and has the lotos or nectar-vase as it's symbol. The lotos stands for pure intentions of all activities, while the nectar vase, filled with the subtle life-energy (nectar) demonstrates the immense power of this element. Because of the life extending energy and the possibility to gain rebirth on a lotos flower in one of his beautiful western paradises, he is the most popular Buddha not just in Tibet but also in China and Japan. There are hundreds of traditions, cults and sects centered around Amithaba/Amitayus. Some traditions (basically in Japan) associate Amithaba with the sun and make special ceremonies at sunrise and sundawn. Among his many peaceful and wrathful deity aspects some highly popular ones are Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) with the famous mantra OM MANI PADME HUNG, White Tara with the mantra OM TARE TUTARE TURE SVAHA and the Red Dakini. Both the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are seen as emanations of Amithaba. The Dalai Lama as a form-emanation of Chenrezig and the Panchen Lama as a form-emanation of Amithaba/Amitayus. In the West we associate the fire element with the zodiac signs aries, leo and sagittarius.