History of Thangkas 

According to Buddhist legend, thangkas originated during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha. The story recounts that King Bimbisara of Magadha, who had received armor made from precious stones from King Uttrayana of Dadok, wished to reciprocate with a gift of equal value. However, King Bimbisara could not afford such a gift, so he commissioned a painting of the Buddha. When the artists attempted to create the image, they were blinded by the Buddha’s divine light. In response, Sakyamuni Buddha instructed them to paint his reflection in water instead, which led to the start of the thangka tradition. The exact time when thangkas arrived in Tibet is unclear, but they became widely popular between the 7th and 12th centuries. While thangkas are a distinctively Tibetan art form, they originated in India and have been influenced by Chinese and Nepali art traditions. 

Purpose of Thangkas 

• Tools for Meditation and Visualization 

Thangkas are crucial tools in Tibetan Buddhism for meditation practices. Practitioners focus on the intricate details of the images in a thangka to internalize the attributes of a deity or mandala, deepening their understanding of profound teachings and helping them progress on their spiritual path. For example, a thangka of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, helps meditators cultivate compassion and empathy within themselves. 

• Preservation of Buddhist Teachings 

Thangkas act as visual representations of Buddhist philosophy and cosmology, transforming complex teachings into an accessible and understandable form. Every element in a thangka, whether it is a deity’s hand gesture (mudra), a lotus flower, or even the colors used, carries specific symbolic meanings that communicate essential aspects of Buddhist thought. This tradition of visual representation has been essential in preserving Buddhist teachings over the centuries, especially in communities that maintain oral traditions. 

• Ritual and Ceremonial Use 

Thangkas are integral to Tibetan Buddhist rituals and ceremonies, where they are often displayed or unveiled during festivals and religious rites. For example, large thangkas are unveiled during special occasions like Tibetan New Year (Losar) to bless and inspire the devotees. There are also special Thangkas used during death rituals to guide the deceased through the bardo (intermediate state) toward enlightenment. 

• Cultural Identity and Heritage 

In Tibetan culture, thangkas represent a rich and unique artistic tradition that seamlessly integrates religion, philosophy, and history. The creation of a thangka is itself a spiritual practice, requiring months or even years of meticulous work by skilled artisans. Each artist follows strict iconographic guidelines to ensure that the thangka is both authentic and spiritually effective. 

• Spiritual Merit and Blessings 

It is believed that commissioning or owning a thangka generates spiritual merit and blessings. Devotees often hang thangkas in their homes or monasteries as a form of devotion and to invoke the protective and enlightening qualities of the deities depicted. In this way, thangkas serve as a source of spiritual blessings for the practitioners and their communities.  

Types of Thangkas Besides Painted Thangkas 

• Appliqué Thangkas: These are created by sewing or gluing pieces of colored silk onto a background to form intricate designs and images. 

• Embroidered Thangkas: These are made by embroidering designs onto silk with colored threads, creating vibrant, textured images. 

• Block Print Thangkas: These are created using woodblock printing techniques to outline designs on canvas or cloth, which are then painted. 

• Woven Thangkas: These thangkas are made by weaving threads to create the images, providing a unique texture and design. 

• Metal Thangkas: These are crafted on bronze, a much more complex and involved process, often using detailed techniques. 

• Wooden Carved Thangkas: These three-dimensional thangkas feature deities and figures carved directly into wood, offering a different artistic experience. 

• Paper Mâché Thangkas: These thangkas are made from paper mâché, a lighter and more flexible medium that is molded and painted. 

Annual Unveiling of the Giant Wish-Fulfilling Shakyamuni Buddha Thangka 

One of the most anticipated events during Vesak Day celebrations at Thekchen Choling temple is the annual unveiling of Southeast Asia's largest Shakyamuni Buddha appliqué thangka, which measures an impressive 13 by 9 meters, or about four and a half storeys high. 

This awe-inspiring thangka, made using the appliqué method, was painstakingly assembled by a team of craftsmen from India, who spent six months bringing it to life. Commissioned by Singha Rinpoche, the spiritual director of Thekchen Choling, this thangka is unveiled only once a year during Vesak Day. This practice follows the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist tradition of displaying large thangkas of different Buddhas during annual festivities, aiming to inspire thousands of pilgrims and help them accumulate merit. This thangka celebrates Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana. When the thangka is being unveiled, the thangka will bless the sky, earth and everything in between. Those who see the thangka will be left a positive imprint that will benefit them this life and beyond this life. Since 2006, Thekchen Choling Singapore has unveiled this thangka as part of its Vesak Day celebrations.  

As of the Vesak Festival in 2025, this thangka will be 20 years old. We invite you to join us for Joyous Vesak @ Serangoon MRT Open Field from May 10-12, 2025! The thangka will be unveiled on May 10, 2025, at 9:30 AM— come witness this spiritual and cultural highlight! It will be displayed over the 3 days of the celebration.