Hand-Painted by Qinghai Regong Master
Thangka Artist: Ji Hexian
A classic theme in Tibetan Buddhism, this thangka features Self-Mastery Chenrezig Buddha, with red and gold as the dominant color palette. Seamlessly integrating faith, art, and craftsmanship, this 100% hand-painted work serves as a spiritual vessel of "compassionate freedom and protection for all beings." It can be enshrined on home altars for meditative practice or displayed as an artistic treasure to adorn spaces, radiating the core spiritual energy of Tibetan Buddhism—"contemplating one’s true nature to attain great freedom."
Specifications & Parameters
• Uniqueness: Each piece is an exclusive original, one-of-a-kind in the world.
• Dimensions: 40cm × 70cm (subject to actual product).
• Technique: Created using traditional Tibetan meticulous heavy-color painting techniques, strictly adhering to the norms of the Buddhist Iconometry Sutra. Centered on the principal deity, the red and gold background fosters a warm and solemn aura of compassion, with clear hierarchical distinction between the main deity and supporting elements—fully embodying the intense luxury and grandeur of red thangkas.
• Pigments: 100% natural mineral and plant-based pigments (including saffron, gold powder, ochre, etc.), blended with ox bile. The colors are rich and long-lasting, with the striking red-gold contrast delivering powerful visual impact—perfectly embodying the Tibetan Buddhist artistic philosophy of "upholding faith through quality materials."
• Canvas: Traditional Tibetan cotton cloth, processed through gluing, powdering, and repeated polishing to ensure firm pigment adhesion.
• Framing: Modern solid wood framing, exquisitely crafted to preserve the artwork’s heritage quality while enhancing its noble and luxurious aura.
• Origin & Craftsmanship: 100% hand-painted in Regong, Qinghai, inheriting thousands of years of traditional Tibetan painting craftsmanship.
About Self-Mastery Chenrezig Buddha Red-Gold Thangka Art
I. Iconographic Features & Divine Identity
Central Deity: Self-Mastery Chenrezig Buddha – The Ultimate Symbol of Compassionate Freedom
As the embodiment of compassion and freedom in Tibetan Buddhism, Self-Mastery Chenrezig Buddha breaks away from traditional rigid iconographic norms. Set against the red and gold background, the deity exudes both grace and solemnity, with every detail carrying profound symbolic meaning:
• Body Color & Headgear: Clad in pure milky white, symbolizing a pure and compassionate mind—creating a striking contrast with the red and gold background. Wears a precious jewel crown, with the gilded crown body inlaid with red and green gemstones, and a small Buddha statue adorning the crown top—representing sacred dignity and the inheritance of the Dharma lineage. Golden earrings adorn the earlobes, symbolizing the deity’s ability to hear the sufferings of all sentient beings.
• Posture & Lotus Throne: Sits in the "Lalitasana" (Free and Relaxed Posture) — right leg resting gently on the lotus throne, left leg curled up, body slightly sideways, left hand resting on the knee, and right hand holding the corner of the robe. The posture is relaxed and unrestrained, perfectly embodying the "self-mastery" and "spiritual freedom" that define the deity. The double-layered red and gold lotus throne features a red gradient inner layer and gilded outer layer, symbolizing that compassion takes root in the pure Dharma realm, free from all obstacles and constraints.
• Mudra & Held Objects: The right hand forms the "Varada Mudra" (Wish-Granting Mudra), signifying the deity’s vow to "grant joy and blessings to all who seek them." The left hand rests on the knee, with a gilded vase pattern hidden in the robe folds—symbolizing the nectar of compassion that purifies the troubles and delusions of all beings.
• Facial Expression & Robes: The eyes are slightly lowered, warm and gentle, with a subtle smile on the lips—revealing deep compassion and boundless tolerance for all sentient beings. Adorned in a red and gold celestial robe (Devata Vastra), the outer cloak is mainly red, embroidered with gilded interlocking lotus patterns, flowing with the body to form rhythmic and elegant folds. The inner robe is trimmed with gold edges, and a golden Avalaya (necklace) encircles the waist—blending luxury with agility, perfectly reflecting the deity’s sacred identity and the "compassionate self-mastery" it embodies.
Attendant Deities
The attendant deities form a "compassionate protection, balance of hardness and softness" pattern with the main deity, with Vajrapani Bodhisattva as the core:
• Main Attendant Below: Vajrapani Bodhisattva, one of the "Three Protectors" (Rigsum Gonpo) in Tibetan Buddhism, clad in deep indigo blue—creating a strong visual contrast with the main deity’s milky white and the red-gold background. With a wrathful facial expression, three round eyes wide open, holding a gilded vajra (thunderbolt scepter) and forming the "Demon-Subduing Mudra," he protects the Dharma with fierce momentum, removing obstacles to spiritual practice and complementing Self-Mastery Chenrezig Buddha’s gentle compassion with his righteous power.
• Auxiliary Attendant Top Left: A Bodhisattva attendant, clad in pale gold, sitting on auspicious clouds in full-lotus position with a lotus flower in hand—gentle and peaceful, extending Self-Mastery Chenrezig Buddha’s compassionate aspirations and adding a sense of harmony to the composition.
Background Elements
The background is dominated by red, highlighting the unique characteristics of red thangkas:
• A magnificent gilded "Seven Jewels Canopy" (Chatra) hangs above the main deity, with red and gold tassels hanging from the edges—symbolizing supreme respect and protection for the Buddha.
• Golden auspicious clouds surround the deity, their flowing lines echoing the robe patterns—metaphorically representing the pervasiveness of compassion and blessings.
• A lightly painted blue lotus pond with blooming lotus flowers adorns the lower part of the painting, creating a pure and sacred artistic conception of the "Lotus Pure Land"—simple yet profound, enhancing the overall solemnity and transcendence of the work.
II. Cultural Connotations & Artistic Value
Self-Mastery Chenrezig Buddha is the core symbol of "compassion and self-mastery" in Tibetan Buddhism. This thangka is deeply rooted in devotees’ sincere prayers for "divine protection and inner peace." When admiring the deity’s image, one can not only feel Self-Mastery Chenrezig Buddha’s boundless compassion of "granting joy and relieving suffering" but also realize the wisdom of "letting go of obsessions and attachments" from his relaxed and unrestrained posture—vividly embodying the cultural essence of Tibetan Buddhism’s "saving sentient beings through compassion and attaining freedom through self-mastery."
From an artistic perspective, this work is a masterpiece of Regong red thangka art:
• Symbolic Color Palette: Red represents passionate faith and warm compassion, while gold symbolizes the eternity and sacredness of the Dharma. The combination of red and gold not only aligns with traditional Tibetan aesthetic preferences but also conveys a sense of grandeur and solemnity, creating a powerful visual and spiritual impact.
• Exquisite Craftsmanship: The artist strictly adheres to Buddhist iconographic norms, using meticulous brushwork to depict every detail—from the subtle expressions on the deity’s face to the flowing lines of the robes, and from the intricate patterns on the crown to the hierarchical arrangement of the composition. Every stroke reflects the artist’s profound reverence for faith and extraordinary artistic skills.
• Long-Lasting Materials: The use of 100% natural mineral and plant-based pigments ensures that the colors remain vivid and bright for centuries, embodying the Tibetan Buddhist artistic philosophy of "upholding faith through quality materials." Through the integration of faith, craftsmanship, and materials, this thangka transforms Self-Mastery Chenrezig Buddha’s compassionate vows into a tangible artistic treasure, allowing viewers to experience both aesthetic enjoyment and spiritual enlightenment while appreciating the profound heritage of Tibetan Buddhist culture.
