Manjushree Thangka, Tibetan Buddhist Art, Hand Painted, Real Gold, Three Great Bodhisattvas and Pancha Buddha

MANJUSHRI
Manjushree is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘gentle glory’. In Sanskrit shree means ‘glorious or honorable’ His name means who embodies enlightened wisdom. He confers mastery of the Dharma, wisdom, and eloquence and teaches the path of a bodhisattva in the Mahayana tradition.

PANCHA BUDDHA : About
Five Dhyani Buddhas, popularly known as Pancha Buddha are five representatives of five different qualities of Shakyamuni Buddha. Pancha Buddhas are also known as the Five Wisdom Tathagatas and are widely respected in Vajrayana Buddhism. In Sanskrit, they are known as the Five Conquerors, or Victor, and are a common subject in Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. As you may have noticed in many Thangkas or collections of five Buddha statues in Buddhist people’s residences, these collections of Buddha statues are quite popular for their great five different qualities. These Pancha Buddhas are Vairochana, Akshobhaya, Amitabha, Ratnasambhava, and Amoghasiddhi.
These Five Buddhas represent five paradises in five different directions i.e. Central, East, West, North, and South. In both Nepali Buddhism as well as Tibetan Buddhism, these Pancha Buddhas are represented in different Buddha statues, Buddha images, paintings as well as Thangkas, etc. The collection of Nepali Buddha statues must consist of a set of five Pancha Buddhas or it is considered incomplete. This state how much important the Pancha Buddhas are especially in Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhism.

THREE GREAT BODHISATTVAS : Brief Introduction
Three Great Bodhisattvas are commonly depicted together because they represent three essential aspects of the path to enlightenment: compassion, wisdom, and power. These qualities are considered interdependent and complementary, reflecting the holistic nature of the bodhisattva path. The bodhisattva path is dedicated to the liberation of all sentient beings, and the Triad of Bodhisattvas serves as an inspiration and guiding force for practitioners in developing these vital qualities within themselves.
By visualizing, praying to, or meditating on the Triad of Bodhisattvas, practitioners aspire to cultivate compassion, wisdom, and spiritual strength in their own lives. They seek to integrate these qualities, recognizing their interconnectedness and their role in bringing about the liberation of oneself and all beings. The Triad of Bodhisattvas serves as a reminder of the balanced approach necessary for the path to enlightenment and provides a comprehensive framework for the practice of compassion, wisdom, and power.

USE OF REAL GOLD
This thangka of Manjushree has real gold painted on its surface along with other paints. This is an ancient process of decorating the thangka in Tibetan Buddhism, Here gold is ground into gold dust, which is then mixed with other undisclosed material to make it paintable on the canvas. this mixture is then mixed with transparent glue and painted on the thangka.

INTRODUCTION TO THANGKA
A thangka, also known as tangka, thanka, or tanka, is a vibrant and intricate Tibetan Buddhist painting that serves as a visual representation of spiritual teachings. Crafted with meticulous detail on cotton or silk appliqué, thangkas depict a wide range of subjects including Buddhist deities, sacred scenes, mandalas, and narrative stories. These sacred artworks are traditionally kept unframed and rolled up for storage, resembling ancient scrolls. To protect their delicate nature, thangkas are mounted on textile backings and often adorned with a silk cover on the front. Proper preservation in dry environments is crucial to maintain the integrity and longevity of the silk.