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Buddhist Thangka paintings on display in Beijing

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Buddhist Thangka paintings by Vajra Master Sang Ji Ka are on display at the Cocolan Art Center in Beijing through January 21, 2010.

Vajra Master Sang Ji Ka. [Chen Chen/China.org.cn]

Thangka, also known as Tangka, is a painted or embroidered Buddhist banner that hangs in a monastery or family altar and is carried by monks in some ceremonial processions. To Buddhists, these religious paintings offer a visual manifestation of the divine.

A Thangka is painted on silk or a cotton canvas, with mineral and organic water-soluble pigments. It is tempered with a solution made of herbs and glue. In Western terminology, this is called a distemper technique. The entire process demands great mastery of painting and an understanding of iconometric principles.

As with the majority of Buddhist art, the composition of a Thangka is highly geometric. A skilled Thangka artist will generally select from a variety of pre-designed items to include in the composition. The process requires a deep understanding of Buddhist symbolism in order to capture the spirit of the Thangka.

Sang Ji Ka’s exquisite skills and scrupulous attitude toward art has earned him the appreciation of many eminent monks. His Thangka paintings are of high value to collectors.

After studying for more than 20 years, Sang Ji Ka learned that in order to draw the Buddha well, he had to acquire not only the skills but also a complete understanding of the Buddhist religion. Therefore, he strictly cultivates himself according to doctrine and has integrated his insight of the religion into his work.