FROM OUR OWN PRIVATE COLLECTION

This interesting and complex Kalachakra Mandala Thangka has been created as a meditation aid. The mandala focuses the attention to create a sacred space.

Kalachakra means Wheel of Time. It is one of the most explicit kinds of mandala and represents the external as well as the internal microcosm.

The outer wheel of the mandala represents the eternal universe which has no beginning or endpoint. It also represents the energies of life and reality, energy is neither created or nor destroyed. Everything in the universe runs in a chain and energy borrowed from one’s life is transmitted to another life. 

The outer circle of the mandala actually consits of four disks which represent the four main elements. They are fire, earth, water, and wind.

The square at the centre of the mandala represents the divine palace which consists of five spirtual levels: body, speech, mind, pristine consciousness, and bliss mandala.

The Kalachakra mandala originates from the Kalachakra tantra, teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha around 2600 years ago, which explore the connections that link humans with the universe and cosmos as a whole.

The mandala is repeatedly contemplated to the point of saturation, such that the image of the mandala becomes fully internalised in even the minutest detail. It can then be summoned and contemplated at will as a clear and vivid visualized image.  With the practice of the Kalachakra Mandala, it is said that one can reach the state of enlightenment.

This beautiful Kalachakra Mandala was painted by a very experienced Thangka Painter who has a studio in the shadow of the great Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu. It was created as a meditation aid for a Lama at the Shechen Monastery nearby.

It is unframed and painted onto cotton, the painted area of the picture measures 302mm ( 12") by 295 mm (11.5").  It is a very detailed hand painting in the traditional thangka style.

The gold on the painting is gold leaf and the pigments used are all natural mineral or vegetable based paints.

We buy our Thangkas directly from the artists which guarentees that the painters are well paid for their wonderful work.

Our Thangkas are at least 20 years old as Thangka Painting in the last Century was far superior to currently produced Thangkas which are made primarily for the tourist trade.