Buddha paintings form and style

Hand-painted Buddha Oil Painting

Buddhist religions have been flourishing to various countries around the world and the paintings have been dipped to several cultures resulting in diverse Buddha paintings form and style. The countries like Nepal, China, Tibet and Japan have been reached the wide array of Buddha paintings and they have shown the artistic talents of Buddha paintings. Basically Buddha paintings are seen in Buddhist temple’s wall.

One of the most popular Buddha painting is Nepal’s Thangka paintings that evolved in Tibet during the seventh century B.C. Thangka is a Tibetan word for thang yig which means written record. The bright canvas is attached to the silk brocade or like scrolls that can be folded when not required. Unlike other paintings in which you can draw or paint freely, the Buddha painting follow a specific rule of iconography and ethics from the Buddhist scripture.  A step is followed in every stage of the painting from the applications of colors to the final presentation. Thangka painting is a symbolic representation that helps greatly in contemplation and meditation, so this is not a portrait of a personal vision or creativity. To awaken the spiritual self of the Buddhist disciples the Buddhist scholar used the artistic acumens.

The painting portrays the various incarnation and gestures of Buddha and the most widely used incarnation is the Shakyamuni, Bodhisattva and Manjushri. The cycle of life, the cosmic phenomenon and the tenets o Buddhism is very well put through geometric shapes, syllables and symbols. The Mandalas is a symbolic representation of the cosmos whose center serves as the focal point for meditation. The process of rebirth and karma is introduced through the wheel of life symbolic images.

Buddha’s life story, his childhood, his journey to enlightenment and departure is well articulated in Buddha art paintings. These paintings are also said to generate positive aura and make an excellent interior décor and serves as a stimulant for meditation.


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