PATH TO NIRVANA! SHAMATHA MEDITATION WALL THANGKA TIBET

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

On many occasions we get asked if our works are prints given their high quality and detail like no other offered. So, just for the record J This thangka is a 100% original hand painted with real stone paint on canvas adorned with pure 24k gold! The Nine Progressive Stages of Mental Development According to Shamatha Meditation Practice This is a very unique thangka. It is a diagram of the stages of Shamatha, or "tranquil abiding" meditation which is often painted on monastery walls. Sometimes called the "Way to Nirvana". Primary consciousness itself is pure, yet habitual tendencies gatd over countless lifetimes have ensnared the mind in the 51 secondary mental consciousnesses. These habitual thought processes, which can be positive, neutral or negative, cause the mind to dwell continually in a state of unfocused distraction. The practice of shamatha meditation develops the ability to focus the mind in single-pointed equipoise or perfect concentration, and is a prerequisite for the development of vipashyana or analytical insight meditation. This illustration of the development of mental tranquility is often painted on monastery walls. This mnemonic diagram depicts the nine progressive stages of mental development, which are obtained through the 'six powers' of study, contemplation, memory, comprehension, diligence, and perfection. Beginning at the start of the path in the lower right, the diagram shows a monk chasing, binding, leading, and subduing an elephant whose color progresses from black to white. The elephant represents the mind, and its black color the gross aspect of 'sinking' or mental dullness. The monkey represents distraction or mental agitation; and its brown color, 'scattering'. The hare represents the more subtle aspect of sinking or mental torpor. The goad and lasso which the monk wields represent clear understanding and mindful recollection. The progressively diminishing flame, which occurs along the path, represents the decreasing degree of effort needed to cultivate understanding and recollection. The five sense objects of cloth, fruit, perfume, cymbals and a mirror represent the five sensual sources of distraction. At the end of the path single-pointed concentration is attained, and the 'purified elephant' of the mind is now completely submissive. The flying monk represents bodily bliss; and his riding of the elephant, mental bliss. Riding the elephant back triumphantly across the rainbow, wielding the flaming sword of perfect insight having attained the flame of clear understanding and mindfulness, represents the uprooting of samsara by the unity of shamatha and vipashyana which directly realizes emptiness [ shunyata ]. This fantastic thangka measures a lovely 19 x 14 inches! I AM THE ONLY SELLER TO ACTUALLY OFFER HAVING THESE THANGKAS MOUNTED IN PURE TIBETAN STYLE SILK BROCADE READY FOR MOUNTING AND DISPLAY. A FIFTH GENERATION THANGKA BROCADE MASTER SHALL ACCENT THE BEAUTY O THIS ALREADY MAJESTIC THANGKA FOR A SMALL FEE! OF COURSE, WE USE ONLY PURE SILK OF THE HIGHEST CLASS, NO POLYESTER OR CHINESE BROCADE USED :) The brocade frame of the Thangka also holds symbolic meaning. The inner frame of brocade (often red) can be thought of as a rainbow gateway beyond which lies the pure land inhabited by the deity the Thangka represents. Attached to the top of the frame is a rectangle of colored silk which is long enough to hang all the way down to the bottom of the painting. This acts as a cover for the Thangka and allows it to be 'put to sleep' when it is not in use, as well as acting as a protective dust cover to keep the painting safe when it is stored. This material we use is the highest grade traditional Tibetan motif brocade, ... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.