There is neither a painting in the mind
Nor a mind in the painting:
And yet, where else can one find a painting
Than in the mind?
Avatamsaka Sutra
"Preserving the Sacred Arts is always part of the preservation of Dharma"
~ Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche ~
Exquisite and very detailed thangka of a 4-armed Mahakala that is a protector of the Kagyu order! By master artist Chhuldim Lama of Nepal.
Don't judge the quality of a thangka by whether the artist is known or not, or if it is signed or not. It is only recently that some artists have begun to sign their works of sacred art in response to what is done in the West, and an increasing market of Westerners. It is also a misconception (promoted by an eBay seller or two) that an artist who has "Lama" in his name is a monk or a monastic. This is not the case. The majority of Newari, Tamang, and Sherpa artists in the Kathmandu Valley have taken the name "Lama" themselves or been named that by their thangka painting school.
Larger size! Measures about 19 inches by 27 & 1/2 inches, minus the red borders.
This thangka is not mounted in brocade, but brocade mounting in the finest Varanasi brocade is available for very reasonable prices. It may take a little time, but it is all good practice in patience :-)
Mahakala is a Dharmapala ("protector of dharma") in Vajrayana Buddhism (Tibetan Buddhism and Japanese Shingon Buddhism).
In Japanese Buddhism, Mahakala (Jpn: Daikoku), belongs to the fourth hierarchy of deities (tenbu).
Mahakala is a Sanskrit bahuvrihi of maha ("great") and kala ("black"). The Tibetan name is Gonpo Phyag (Wylie: mGon po phyag ).
Description
Mahakala is relied upon in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. However, he is depicted in a number of variations, each with distinctly different qualities and aspects. He is also regarded as the emanation of different beings in different cases, namely Avalokiteshvara (Tib: Chenrezig) or Chakrasamvara (Tib: Korlo Demchog, Wylie: ’khor-lo bde-mchog).
Mahakala is typically black in color. Just as all colors are absorbed and dissolved into black, all names and forms are said to melt into those of Mahakala, symbolizing his all-embracing, comprehensive nature. Black can also represent the total absence of color, and again in this case it signifies the nature of Mahakala as ultimate or absolute reality. This principle is known in Sanskrit as "nirguna", beyond all quality and form, and it is typified by both interpretations.
Mahakala is almost always depicted with a crown of five skulls, which representing the transmutation of the five kleshas (negative afflictions) into the five wisdoms.
The most notable variation in Mahakala's manifestations and depictions is in the number of arms, but other details can vary as well. For instance, in some cases there are Mahakalas in white, with multiple heads, without genitals, standing on varying numbers of various things, holding various implements, with alternative adornments, and so on.
Four-Armed Mahakalas
Various Four-armed Mahakalas (Skt. Chatur-bhuja Mahakala, Tib. Wylie: mGon po phyag bzhi pa) are the primary protectors of the Karma Kagyu and Drikung Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism. A four-armed Mahakala is also found in the Nyingma school, although the primary protector of the Great Perfection (Skt: Mahasandhi, Tib. Dzogchen) teachings which are the pinnacle of the Nyingma system is Ekajati.
The four arms of this manifestation of Mahakala perform one of the following four positive karmas or actions, which are said to be his specific boon to his worshippers:
- Pacify sickness, hindrances, and troubles.
- Increase life, good qualities and wisdom.
- Attract whatever Dharma practitioners need and bring people to the Dharma.
- Destroy confusion, doubt, and ignorance.
Check out my other items! For the best quality thankgas for the price on eBay, look at my Store items!
FEEDBACK: Please contact me instead of leaving negative feedback. I will always work with the buyer until we resolve an issue or reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. There should never be a reason for negative feedback if we are in good communication and there is no deception or dishonesty in descriptions, representation of items, or payment. I also expect the same honesty and integrity in your dealing with me. Please ask questions, as many as you like, to be sure the item you are bidding on or purchasing is the right one for you.
I strive to provide the best quality thangkas for the price on eBay. They are all original paintings done with mineral pigments and pure gold paint on canvas. You won't find any imitation Chinese thangkas here! Please compare the detailed photos of my thangkas to other thangkas available on eBay to determine the quality. The photos in each listing are of the very same thangka that I am selling. Don't bother to compare them to the extremely low quality glut of fake "antique" or "old" "Tibetan" thangkas from China that have flooded the market in the last few years. There IS no comparison with these fakes.
I want to make clear that in no way, shape or form do I represent myself as an expert on Tibetan iconography or thangka painting. I am just a beginner in understanding this profound art form. If there is any kind of problem, let me know. I will never knowingly misrepresent anything I am selling. There is always the chance that I may have been fooled myself, but will try to correct the situation if that ever happens. Please contact me if you think I have been misled. I also don't try to exaggerate the colors or contrast in my photos to make them more appealing. I believe in karma and that honesty is always the best policy and will do business by these principles.
A word or two about the terrible thangkas done in sweatshops in China. If you look at about 90% (or more) of the thangkas for sale on Ebay, they are being sold from China and all look very similar. By similar, I mean the proportions are all wrong, there is no fine detail work at all and they are mostly iconographically as incorrect as it is possible to be. A lot of them seem to be of deities that don’t exist! Ebay doesn’t seem at all interested in shutting down this flood of fakes, because they are making very good money on them. Not only has China's brutal regime been systematically eliminating Tibet's culture and religion in Tibet, they are ruining the art of thangka painting where it is barely hanging on in exile in Nepal and India and a very few artists in Tibet.
Some people have thought that my thangkas are so detailed that they must be prints. I do not sell prints of thangkas. If I do start doing so they will clearly be identified as such! The best way to determine if it is an original painting is to hold it up to a bright light or the sun. You will clearly see different thicknesses of paint and some brush strokes.
Also 1 or 2 people have thought that the paintings are on paper. They are all on cotton canvas, but they are treated with a layer of gesso (like plaster of paris or gypsum) and rubbed smooth. Some of them are so smooth you cannot see the individual fibers. To prove to yourself that the painting is on canvas, try ripping the corner of the border area and you will see threads.
Please take the time to check the other items in my store: 
I will be glad to combine shipping and insurance on multiple items. I will ship worldwide with the buyer paying the actual shipping costs.
International Buyers – Please Note:
· Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
· Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.
· These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up – do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.
· Please note: I will declare honestly on the Customs Form. If you think you may have a problem with Customs, contact me and I will see what I can do. I can not insure for more than the declared value for Customs.
Satisfaction guaranteed, but I can't control the U.S. or foreign Postal Services, or make you read the item description carefully. If there is any problem, let me know and we will work it out.
I would appreciate it if you would read my “Me” page. There is information there on how to help the Tibetan cause. At present, 5% of my gross profits go to the Tibetan Nuns Project.
Recent Feedback Comments:
+ Ebay needs more sellers like this man and less flimflammin' JUNK vendors!
+ Breathtaking work on this piece - seller has a very VERY good eye for sweet work
+ Very scrupulous dealer - the "flaws" he mentioned are so hard to see - WOW!
+ VERY happy with sellers Thangkas! Brocades ordered have been superb! Five stars!
+ OTHER-WORLDLY art from an other-worldly honest and nice seller *PERFECT* thanks
+ Beautiful thangka Had brocade done after buying fabulous job A++++++ Thanks!!!!
+ The best thangka I've ever bought! Fast service & very gracious vendor!
The teachings revealed by the buddhas
are done so in terms of the two truths—
the conventional truth of the world
and the ultimate truth.
Nagarjuna, Fundamentals of the Middle Way
Through cessation of karma and afflictions one is freed.
Karma, afflictions, and conceptualization
all arise from elaboration; and it is by means of emptiness
that elaboration is brought to an end.
Nagarjuna, Fundamentals of the Middle Way
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Himalayan Mantra
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