Hand-Painted by Rebkong (Qinghai) Master Artist
Artist: Tserang Tashi
A classic Tibetan Buddhist theme, this Six-Armed Mahakala Thangka integrates faith, art, and craftsmanship. 100% hand-painted, it serves as a solemn wall decor to radiate the majestic aura of a Dharma Protector, a sacred centerpiece for home altars to help subdue afflictions and safeguard the Dharma, and a vessel for channeling the protective power of Tibetan Buddhist guardians—seamlessly blending sacred symbolism with artistic value.
Specifications
✅ Uniqueness: One-of-a-kind original artwork – no duplicates exist
✅ Size: 67cm × 100cm (subject to actual product)
✅ Technique: Painted in traditional Tibetan meticulous heavy-color style, strictly adhering to proportions specified in the Buddhist Iconometric Sutras. The composition centers the main deity surrounded by attendants, adorned with flame and auspicious cloud motifs – intricate yet orderly, creating a majestic aura of "subduing demons and protecting the Dharma."
✅ Pigments: 100% natural mineral and plant-based (including turquoise, saffron, gold powder), blended with ox bile and animal glue. These pigments resist fading for centuries, embodying the Tibetan Buddhist artistic philosophy of "upholding faith through quality materials."
✅ Canvas: Traditional Tibetan cotton fabric, crafted through gluing, powdering, and repeated sanding
✅ Framing Options:
• Traditional Tibetan gold-thread brocade mounting: Highlights religious solemnity
• Modern solid wood frame: Offers minimalist eleganceBoth options feature exquisite craftsmanship to preserve the artwork’s legacy and enhance its luxurious, sacred aura.
✅ Origin & Craft: Hand-painted in Rebkong, Qinghai
About Six-Armed Mahakala Thangka Art
1. Iconography & Deity Identity
Central Deity: Six-Armed Mahakala – Core Symbol of Protection & Subjugation
As a pivotal Dharma Protector governing the subjugation of demons and safeguarding the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism, his iconography strictly follows the Buddhist Iconometric Sutras, with every detail carrying profound protective meanings:
• Appearance & Posture: Deep blue body (symbolizing the power to subdue all worldly afflictions and demonic obstacles, representing the dignity and strength of a Dharma Protector); stands atop a white elephant (a symbol of evil forces), embodying his sacred duty to overcome obstacles and uphold the true path. Surrounded by blazing flames, symbolizing the destruction of all ignorance, afflictions, and evil forces.
• Six Arms & Sacred Objects:Each arm holds a distinct ritual tool: a curved knife (severs ignorance and delusion), a skull bowl (subdues the sufferings of birth and death), a rope (binds evil forces), and a ritual bell (awakens sentient beings and safeguards the Dharma). Every tool reflects his protective essence of "subduing all obstacles and preserving the purity of the Dharma."
• Headdress & Facial Expression: Wears a five-skull crown adorned with skull decorations (symbolizing conquering the sufferings of samsara and transcending illusory appearances); displays a wrathful visage with three wide-open eyes and bared fangs, exuding a fearsome majesty that intimidates evil forces.
• Adornments & Robes: Draped in animal skin, adorned with jewel necklaces and bone ornaments – radiating the dignity and power of a Dharma Protector. Bold, dynamic robe lines and folds perfectly embody Six-Armed Mahakala’s sacred role: "subduing afflictions through authority and protecting the Dharma through guardianship."
Upper Attendants: Esoteric Buddhas & Deities
Multiple esoteric Buddhas and deities are distributed above the main deity, seated amidst auspicious clouds with solemn expressions. They symbolize blessings for "subduing demons and protecting the Dharma" from a higher spiritual realm, laying the sacred foundation for the entire protective system.
Lower Attendants & Background Elements
• Lower Dharma Protectors: Diverse in form and vivid in color, some wrathful and others inherently protective, echoing the main deity’s wrathful aura. Together, they form a comprehensive protection system, symbolizing the subjugation of afflictions and safeguarding of Dharma practice from multiple dimensions.
• Surrounding Decorations: Mountain, cloud, and flame motifs enrich the composition with religious meaning, adding context and sacredness to the solemn protective scene. They symbolize that Six-Armed Mahakala’s protective power permeates the world, shielding practitioners from demonic obstacles in any environment.
2. Cultural Connotations & Legends
Six-Armed Mahakala is the core symbol of Dharma protection and affliction subjugation in Tibetan Buddhism. The creation of this Thangka theme stems from devotees’ sincere aspirations to "subdue inner afflictions (greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, doubt), overcome external demonic obstacles, and ensure smooth Dharma practice."
As the sacred Protector governing "subduing afflictions, protecting the Dharma, and guiding spiritual practice," his spiritual essence lies in safeguarding beings through majestic vows. By practicing according to his teachings, devotees not only receive powerful protection from inner and outer obstacles and freedom from suffering but also continuously temper their minds, strengthen their spiritual resolve, and practice virtue – achieving the perfect state of "obstacles removed, path fulfilled; path fulfilled, enlightenment attained."
Artistically, this work is a masterpiece of Rebkong Dharma Protector Thangka. Renowned for "vibrant colors, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound spiritual meaning," Rebkong Thangka seamlessly integrates faith, technique, and materials in this piece: layers of mineral pigments embody prayers for "subjugation and protection," while delicate brushwork reflects the artist’s dedication and reverence for faith – transforming the Protector’s vows into a tangible fusion of art and spirituality.
