A Thangka painter who becomes one with the deity

How did you start your journey as a Thangka Painter?

The Foundation of Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has the Gurukul project, where students from Indian universities get a unique chance to come to Dharamshala. Under the Gurukul Project, I had the opportunity to study at the Norbulingka Institute for one month.

I was moved by the training, the meticulous details, the beauty, and the divinity involved in the art form and decided to pursue it further. In a private audience with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, I requested that he allow me to learn at Norbulingka. I also requested that the Foundation provide me with the opportunity to train myself in Thangka Painting from the prestigious Norbulingka Institute. Eventually, with the help of the Foundation, I was admitted to Norbulingka, which is how I got started.

That’s the reason you use peacocks in your paintings to depict India?! 

Yes

So now, how many women are practicing Thangka painting?

Several women in the world are not only practising but also teaching.

You can read about Tiffany, Leslie, and Carmel Mensik. They learn from their teachers and practice in their own countries. Leslie practices applique art in the United States, Carmen Mensik is from the Netherlands and teaches students from all over the world, and Tiffany is from Brazil and spreading the ancient tradition of Thangka paintings. So they are not only practising but also teaching, spreading the tradition.

So, did it become popular and known after you started practising and spreading the art, or were many girls there before that?

Leslie was there before, but then many women learned it here and went out to spread the tradition.

They’re also teaching Thangka painting?

I don’t know if they are teaching because becoming a teacher requires a lot of practice.

What was the shortest period you painted any painting, like any Thangka painting or even the applique work?

I think two months.

Do you believe in any culture or follow these rules?

I follow and walk on the path as shown by the Gautama Buddha.

What is the main thing in Buddhism for you?

Righteousness keeps you on the path of righteousness. Buddhist paintings are visual communication that keeps you on the path of righteousness.

So, how has the Thangka painting evolved over 2300 years? How have the style and aesthetics of the painting changed?

Change is inevitable. In this museum, we are trying to show you the changes that come with time, how stylistic developments take place with time, from the Buddhist caves in Ajanta through the Himalayas, finding their way into Tibet, and finally returning to their roots in India.

And I think 2300 to 500 years is not a small time. So there have been a lot of changes and a lot of evolution. Buddhism has evolved from India to Tibet, and wherever it went, it combined with those areas’ already existing cultures.

For example, in Tibet, it went to Tibet, combined with Bon, the ancient tradition practised in Tibet before Buddhism reached Tibet from India. Buddhism went from India to many countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, China,

and many others.

So basically, the people of that place moulded the painting style according to their culture and belief?

They did not just mould the paintings; Buddhism developed them, too. Buddhism touched their lives like never before. They were moved by the teachings of Buddha and the message the Buddhist Paintings carried with them.

Buddhism doesn’t end with your body. It’s more about your soul and the universe. I don’t know much. I want to study more about Buddhism because it’s enlightening; it’s more about how you should live your life.

Yes, it’s the way of life.

Okay, I wanted to ask you: Do you think art and artists are sinking with time?

I don’t think so. Art is like a meandering river; it keeps going on. It never stops. It never ceases; it finds its way. With time, it combines with something and changes its form. But it never dies.

And its value?

Human beings are realising their value, which is why Buddhism and Buddhist art are spreading all over the world.

How long have you been practising this with the Holiness the Dalai Lama?

He has a foundation for universal responsibility that selects students. So, through that, we have had several opportunities to meet His Holiness. It is a blessing to meet him.

He was a turning point in your life; what have you learned from him? 

Yes, he was a turning point in my life. From him, I have learnt love and compassion.

He embodies Avalokitesvara, a bodhisattva of compassion, and in the spirit of the Tibetan nation. Tibetan people believe that he is the God of compassion and kindness, and I also see him like that.

To meet someone like him and inherit his kindness, and compassion is fortunate. The same applies when you are drawing a deity, too, right? To inherit his qualities and become one like him.

Yes, the meaning of art is that. But, what does it mean to draw the deity? What is a deity? A deity has perfected the attributes or the paramis of generosity, love, kindness, determination, morality, wisdom, perseverance, and equanimity. Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of compassion, Majusri is the bodhisattva or embodiment of wisdom, and Buddha is of love, kindness and wisdom. So, when we draw a deity, see or meditate upon him, we try to develop his qualities. When we are filled with these qualities, we become one with the deity, or we become the deity, or we become enlightened.

How do you return to your usual self when you finish your painting? What is the process?

We practice non-attachment. You know that you are only a medium through which this deity has to come into the world to benefit humanity and the art, artists, patron, and a newly onlooker. And now your role is over. This act of creating the painting is nothing but devotion to the Divine for which no name, fame, or honour is expected. No names are ever written on these paintings.

So you sell prints but not paintings; do the prints also have the deity’s soul?

Yes, we consecrate the prints. The monks and artists partly conduct the consecration process.

So you can see the difference between when you started practising it and at this stage? 

Yes, it’s a huge difference.

And what do you feel when you paint something?

I feel like I’m one with the deity. But, you know, when you’re making it, it’s like you don’t feel hungry, you don’t feel thirsty. You feel like you’re a part of it. You’re enjoying the process and feel so fortunate that these deities are coming into this world through you.

How do you stop? 

The painting tells you.

What was the most prolonged period that you painted continuously?

11 to 12 hours.

What is your motto?

Perseverance. I think if you are patient and follow perseverance, you can achieve anything, and it comes with time, knowledge, wisdom, and practice.

How would you define Buddhist art?

Buddhist art is a visual depiction of Buddhist doctrine. It began with the life of Siddhartha Gautama 1500 years ago. The art is transformative in nature. It helps to keep us on the path of righteousness, remove layers of ignorance, and seek enlightenment.