Murals on Tibetan Buddhist monasteries
An important aspect of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries is the presence of ritualistic places that are dedicated to deities.
Thangkas at monasteries show Buddha, Gurus, Yantras, andMandalas, which bring good luck, health, prosperity, wisdom, longevity, and peace.
These thangkas were painted on fabric that could be rolled; such portability helped Buddhist monks to carry them from one place to another while propagating religion.
Thangkas, as a medium of propagation of ideology, spread from Nepal to Tibet, and then to far-off places like Mongolia.
They acquaint the followers with glimpses of Buddhist tenets, pantheon, teachings, history, folklore, religious and cosmic objects.
The schools of Vajrayana Buddhism: Nyingma-pa (Padma-sambhava), Sakya-pa (Virupa), Kagyu-pa (Marpa), and Gelug-pa (Tsong-kha-pa), Bon (ancient Tibet religion).
Buddha images are created with Vairocana at the center and Amitabha (Yodpame) in West, Akshobhya (Mitrugpa) in East, Amoghasidhi (Donyen Dondrup) in North, and Ratnasambhava (Rinchen Jungney) in South.
It transforms the afflicted emotion of attachment and desire into discriminating wisdom that sees the true nature of phenomena.
She is often portrayed with a green complexion, although she can also appear in white, red, or other colors, each representing different aspects of her enlightened qualities.
Wrathful Deities are protectors, or Dharmapalas, are revered in various schools of Tibetan Buddhism as powerful entities tasked with guarding the Dharma and its practitioners.
They are often depicted in wrathful forms, symbolizing their fierce commitment to protecting the teachings of the Buddha and assisting practitioners on their path to enlightenment.
Mahakala, also known as the Great Black One, is a fierce and powerful deity associated with protection, overcoming obstacles, and the removal of negative forces.
He is often depicted with a dark blue or black complexion, adorned with a crown of skulls, and wearing a necklace of severed heads.
Accordingly, Vajrayana conceived Kuvera (Namthose) of North, Dhritarashtra (Yulkorsung) of East, Virudhka (Phagchepo) of South, and Virupaksha (Chenmigzang) of West.
1.Vajrayogini: Vajrayogini is often depicted in a wrathful form, she is associated with the Chöd practice and is considered a fierce emanation of enlightened wisdom.
Palden Lhamo is typically depicted riding a mule over a sea of blood, with a mane of flaming hair, symbolizing her unwavering commitment to protecting the Dharma.
Dakinis play diverse roles, embodying wisdom, compassion, and transformative energy to guide practitioners on the path to enlightenment.
Mandalas are intricate geometric designs that represent the universe and serve as sacred spaces for meditation and visualization.
Mandalas, with their profound symbolism and multifaceted themes, offer a rich tapestry for meditation, reflection, and spiritual exploration.
[14] 2.Sacred geometry: The geometric patterns in mandalas, such as circles, squares, and triangles, are symbolic and hold specific meanings.
Circles represent wholeness and unity; squares can symbolize the earthly realm, stability, and balance; while triangles often stand for the trinity of deity, enlightenment, and the universe, or elements like fire and water depending on their orientation.
They visually depict the life of the historical Buddha, important events in Buddhist history, and complex philosophical concepts.
