The transformative journey of Buddhist Thangka art | Sarika SIngh | TEDxDharamshala

[Music]

[Music] I’m an artist and a teacher in the

I’m an artist and a teacher in the

I’m an artist and a teacher in the Buddhist tradition of conquer paintings

Buddhist tradition of conquer paintings

Buddhist tradition of conquer paintings I consider myself as a medium through

I consider myself as a medium through

I consider myself as a medium through which these paintings are revealed into

which these paintings are revealed into

which these paintings are revealed into the world Buddhist paintings are

the world Buddhist paintings are

the world Buddhist paintings are transformative in nature they carry the

transformative in nature they carry the

transformative in nature they carry the potential to transform the humanity they

potential to transform the humanity they

potential to transform the humanity they carry the potential to transform the art

carry the potential to transform the art

carry the potential to transform the art artists and the patron put his paintings

artists and the patron put his paintings

artists and the patron put his paintings emerged with the life of Siddhartha

emerged with the life of Siddhartha

emerged with the life of Siddhartha Gautama Siddhartha Gautama was an indian

Gautama Siddhartha Gautama was an indian

Gautama Siddhartha Gautama was an indian prince who was moved by the intense

prince who was moved by the intense

prince who was moved by the intense sufferings human go through he launched

sufferings human go through he launched

sufferings human go through he launched an inquiry into these sufferings its

an inquiry into these sufferings its

an inquiry into these sufferings its causes and showed us the path to come

causes and showed us the path to come

causes and showed us the path to come out of these sufferings Buddhism

out of these sufferings Buddhism

out of these sufferings Buddhism according to him is a way of life a way

according to him is a way of life a way

according to him is a way of life a way of life that encourages us to commit

of life that encourages us to commit

of life that encourages us to commit good deeds abstain from evil deeds and

good deeds abstain from evil deeds and

good deeds abstain from evil deeds and to purify our minds look within meditate

to purify our minds look within meditate

to purify our minds look within meditate and to find peace and happiness

Buddhism encourages us and along with

Buddhism encourages us and along with the Buddhist paintings shows us the path

the Buddhist paintings shows us the path

the Buddhist paintings shows us the path towards spiritual elevation elevation

towards spiritual elevation elevation

towards spiritual elevation elevation that knows no boundaries and transcends

that knows no boundaries and transcends

that knows no boundaries and transcends all man-made barriers these paintings

all man-made barriers these paintings

all man-made barriers these paintings shows us the path from ignorance to

shows us the path from ignorance to

shows us the path from ignorance to enlightenment Buddhist paintings are

enlightenment Buddhist paintings are

enlightenment Buddhist paintings are visual depictions that helps us to

visual depictions that helps us to

visual depictions that helps us to choose the path of righteousness after

choose the path of righteousness after

choose the path of righteousness after Buddha passed away his

Buddha passed away his

Buddha passed away his mitad relics were placed on the layers

mitad relics were placed on the layers

mitad relics were placed on the layers of stones and bricks arranged in

of stones and bricks arranged in

of stones and bricks arranged in semi-spherical dome-like structures

semi-spherical dome-like structures

semi-spherical dome-like structures called stupas stupas are also seen as

called stupas stupas are also seen as

called stupas stupas are also seen as formless form of buddha himself

formless form of buddha himself

formless form of buddha himself stupas GTRs and the Hera’s are

stupas GTRs and the Hera’s are

stupas GTRs and the Hera’s are considered to be the earliest buddhist

considered to be the earliest buddhist

considered to be the earliest buddhist architectural structures that were

architectural structures that were

architectural structures that were elaborately painted with Buddhist

elaborately painted with Buddhist

elaborately painted with Buddhist paintings the rock-cut caves structures

paintings the rock-cut caves structures

paintings the rock-cut caves structures emerged and they were beautifully

emerged and they were beautifully

emerged and they were beautifully painted with the wall murals and the

painted with the wall murals and the

painted with the wall murals and the wall paintings Chitra pata or the Indian

wall paintings Chitra pata or the Indian

wall paintings Chitra pata or the Indian scroll were also created to spread the

scroll were also created to spread the

scroll were also created to spread the Buddhist doctrine Buddhist miniature

Buddhist doctrine Buddhist miniature

Buddhist doctrine Buddhist miniature paintings were also created on the palm

paintings were also created on the palm

paintings were also created on the palm leaf manuscripts the paintings that were

leaf manuscripts the paintings that were

leaf manuscripts the paintings that were done at the rockered caves at Ajanta in

done at the rockered caves at Ajanta in

done at the rockered caves at Ajanta in Maharashtra are seen to be the greatest

Maharashtra are seen to be the greatest

Maharashtra are seen to be the greatest treasure that mankind has ever produced

treasure that mankind has ever produced

treasure that mankind has ever produced it is from here that these paintings

it is from here that these paintings

it is from here that these paintings traveled to all parts of Asia from the

traveled to all parts of Asia from the

traveled to all parts of Asia from the time between the 8th century to the 12th

time between the 8th century to the 12th

time between the 8th century to the 12th century onwards the Tibetan rulers

century onwards the Tibetan rulers

century onwards the Tibetan rulers invited the Indian masters and the

invited the Indian masters and the

invited the Indian masters and the artists from the region of Bihar to

artists from the region of Bihar to

artists from the region of Bihar to Tibbett these masters and artists

Tibbett these masters and artists

Tibbett these masters and artists carried with them the palm leaf

carried with them the palm leaf

carried with them the palm leaf manuscripts paintings and other

manuscripts paintings and other

manuscripts paintings and other artifacts to Tibet in Tibet when these

artifacts to Tibet in Tibet when these

artifacts to Tibet in Tibet when these paintings reached Tibet they reached

paintings reached Tibet they reached

paintings reached Tibet they reached because of the constant movement and the

because of the constant movement and the

because of the constant movement and the exchange of artists Pilgrims and traders

exchange of artists Pilgrims and traders

exchange of artists Pilgrims and traders so with this movement Buddhist paintings

so with this movement Buddhist paintings

so with this movement Buddhist paintings were evolved developed and Fleury

were evolved developed and Fleury

were evolved developed and Fleury in Tibet for over a thousand years

in Tibet for over a thousand years

in Tibet for over a thousand years Tibetans became the custodians of these

Tibetans became the custodians of these

Tibetans became the custodians of these paintings especially at a time when

paintings especially at a time when

paintings especially at a time when Buddhism was a little decline in India

Buddhism was a little decline in India

Buddhism was a little decline in India in Tibet

in Tibet

in Tibet when these paintings were made on the

when these paintings were made on the

when these paintings were made on the cloth and mounted with silk Rockets they

cloth and mounted with silk Rockets they

cloth and mounted with silk Rockets they were called as thangka paintings

were called as thangka paintings

were called as thangka paintings tanka meaning scroll these paintings

tanka meaning scroll these paintings

tanka meaning scroll these paintings could easily be rolled and carried from

could easily be rolled and carried from

could easily be rolled and carried from one place to another

one place to another

one place to another now these paintings came to India as in

now these paintings came to India as in

now these paintings came to India as in 1959 when his holiness after the

1959 when his holiness after the

1959 when his holiness after the occupation of Tibet came to India with

occupation of Tibet came to India with

occupation of Tibet came to India with the Tibetan people and sought asylum in

the Tibetan people and sought asylum in

the Tibetan people and sought asylum in India so with the coming of the Tibetans

India so with the coming of the Tibetans

India so with the coming of the Tibetans these paintings came in India new

these paintings came in India new

these paintings came in India new schools of thangka paintings were

schools of thangka paintings were

schools of thangka paintings were established now on the Indian soil from

established now on the Indian soil from

established now on the Indian soil from the transformative journey of the

the transformative journey of the

the transformative journey of the Buddhist paintings that were made in

Buddhist paintings that were made in

Buddhist paintings that were made in India to the tunker paintings that we

India to the tunker paintings that we

India to the tunker paintings that we see today

see today

see today one thing remains unchanged

one thing remains unchanged

one thing remains unchanged these paintings help us to remove layers

these paintings help us to remove layers

these paintings help us to remove layers of ignorance and shed our ego so we can

of ignorance and shed our ego so we can

of ignorance and shed our ego so we can see the ultimate truth so this purpose

see the ultimate truth so this purpose

see the ultimate truth so this purpose remains unchanged thangka paintings

remains unchanged thangka paintings

remains unchanged thangka paintings depict as you may all see Buddha’s

depict as you may all see Buddha’s

depict as you may all see Buddha’s Bodhisattvas goddesses yidams protected

Bodhisattvas goddesses yidams protected

Bodhisattvas goddesses yidams protected deities you may have seen mandalas and

deities you may have seen mandalas and

deities you may have seen mandalas and many other images these paintings also

many other images these paintings also

many other images these paintings also depict Buddhist philosophy teachings of

depict Buddhist philosophy teachings of

depict Buddhist philosophy teachings of Buddha

547 birth related stories off with her

547 birth related stories off with her called Jatakas are also depicted these

called Jatakas are also depicted these

called Jatakas are also depicted these are the previous life stories of

are the previous life stories of

are the previous life stories of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha’s are

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha’s are

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha’s are considered to be enlightened beings

considered to be enlightened beings

considered to be enlightened beings Bodhisattvas are beings that are on the

Bodhisattvas are beings that are on the

Bodhisattvas are beings that are on the way to become Buddha’s but have delayed

way to become Buddha’s but have delayed

way to become Buddha’s but have delayed their enlightenment in order to help

their enlightenment in order to help

their enlightenment in order to help others manjushri and our location are

others manjushri and our location are

others manjushri and our location are examples of Bodhisattvas few examples of

examples of Bodhisattvas few examples of

examples of Bodhisattvas few examples of goddesses are plasma parameter or

goddesses are plasma parameter or

goddesses are plasma parameter or Saraswathi and Terra’s that you see

Saraswathi and Terra’s that you see

Saraswathi and Terra’s that you see white that are green Terra so in the

white that are green Terra so in the

white that are green Terra so in the Buddhist pantheon there are thousands of

Buddhist pantheon there are thousands of

Buddhist pantheon there are thousands of deities and these deities are arranged

deities and these deities are arranged

deities and these deities are arranged into several groups now each group has

into several groups now each group has

into several groups now each group has its own set of date deities and grids

its own set of date deities and grids

its own set of date deities and grids some deities are peaceful others

some deities are peaceful others

some deities are peaceful others wrathful sound deities are simple others

wrathful sound deities are simple others

wrathful sound deities are simple others more complex with multiple hands feet

more complex with multiple hands feet

more complex with multiple hands feet and heads each deity has a distinct

and heads each deity has a distinct

and heads each deity has a distinct quality or attributes of its own and it

quality or attributes of its own and it

quality or attributes of its own and it is believed that when we look upon a

is believed that when we look upon a

is believed that when we look upon a deity or we visualize a deity or

deity or we visualize a deity or

deity or we visualize a deity or meditated upon a deity or when we

meditated upon a deity or when we

meditated upon a deity or when we painted a ‘ti we try to develop these

painted a ‘ti we try to develop these

painted a ‘ti we try to develop these qualities in us so when an artist or a

qualities in us so when an artist or a

qualities in us so when an artist or a practitioner it is believed is filled

practitioner it is believed is filled

practitioner it is believed is filled with these qualities he or she becomes

with these qualities he or she becomes

with these qualities he or she becomes one with the deity here is an example of

one with the deity here is an example of

one with the deity here is an example of our Luca Tessaro with thousand arms so

our Luca Tessaro with thousand arms so

our Luca Tessaro with thousand arms so when an artist paints the image of our

when an artist paints the image of our

when an artist paints the image of our look

look

look which is the bodies that were of

which is the bodies that were of

which is the bodies that were of compassion and kindness he or she is

compassion and kindness he or she is

compassion and kindness he or she is filled with the qualities of compassion

filled with the qualities of compassion

filled with the qualities of compassion and kindness this process is highly

and kindness this process is highly

and kindness this process is highly transformative for the artist and for

transformative for the artist and for

transformative for the artist and for anyone who comes in contact with his

anyone who comes in contact with his

anyone who comes in contact with his paintings including the patron for an

paintings including the patron for an

paintings including the patron for an artist everything is sacred his paints

artist everything is sacred his paints

artist everything is sacred his paints his brushes tools and space in artist

his brushes tools and space in artist

his brushes tools and space in artist even meditates upon the image he or she

even meditates upon the image he or she

even meditates upon the image he or she is painting an artist is aware of his

is painting an artist is aware of his

is painting an artist is aware of his selfless divine role anonymous role

selfless divine role anonymous role

selfless divine role anonymous role while he or she creates these paintings

while he or she creates these paintings

while he or she creates these paintings in artist is also aware of his role as a

in artist is also aware of his role as a

in artist is also aware of his role as a creator giving life and soul to this

creator giving life and soul to this

creator giving life and soul to this images and bringing them into this world

images and bringing them into this world

images and bringing them into this world for a tonka artist the act of creation

for a tonka artist the act of creation

for a tonka artist the act of creation of these paintings is an act of devotion

of these paintings is an act of devotion

of these paintings is an act of devotion to the divine for which he or she does

to the divine for which he or she does

to the divine for which he or she does not expect any name fame or honor in

not expect any name fame or honor in

not expect any name fame or honor in return

return

return no names are ever written on thangka

no names are ever written on thangka

no names are ever written on thangka paintings in this transformative journey

paintings in this transformative journey

paintings in this transformative journey we see that these paintings are very

we see that these paintings are very

we see that these paintings are very special and unique one painting may take

special and unique one painting may take

special and unique one painting may take several months two years to complete

several months two years to complete

several months two years to complete if created properly one painting may

if created properly one painting may

if created properly one painting may lost for a very long time even few

lost for a very long time even few

lost for a very long time even few hundred years and this is because of the

hundred years and this is because of the

hundred years and this is because of the methods material and the techniques that

methods material and the techniques that

methods material and the techniques that are used in the process of creation of a

are used in the process of creation of a

are used in the process of creation of a thangka

thangka

thangka thangka paintings have also been at the

thangka paintings have also been at the

thangka paintings have also been at the core of my personal transformation in

core of my personal transformation in

core of my personal transformation in the year 1997 after graduating from Lady

the year 1997 after graduating from Lady

the year 1997 after graduating from Lady Shri Ram College Delhi University

Shri Ram College Delhi University

Shri Ram College Delhi University I received the Gurukul scholarship from

I received the Gurukul scholarship from

I received the Gurukul scholarship from the foundation for universal

the foundation for universal

the foundation for universal responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai

responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai

responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Lama

Lama now the Gurukul program is aimed at

now the Gurukul program is aimed at

now the Gurukul program is aimed at reviving the ancient master student

reviving the ancient master student

reviving the ancient master student relationship and bringing the Indian and

relationship and bringing the Indian and

relationship and bringing the Indian and the Tibetan communities together it is

the Tibetan communities together it is

the Tibetan communities together it is through this program I was exposed to

through this program I was exposed to

through this program I was exposed to the Tonka paintings that were done in

the Tonka paintings that were done in

the Tonka paintings that were done in Dharamsala I was moved by the meticulous

Dharamsala I was moved by the meticulous

Dharamsala I was moved by the meticulous details which composition and spiritual

details which composition and spiritual

details which composition and spiritual themes that were involved in thangka

themes that were involved in thangka

themes that were involved in thangka paintings I knew instantly this is what

paintings I knew instantly this is what

paintings I knew instantly this is what I must learn I was also fascinated by

I must learn I was also fascinated by

I must learn I was also fascinated by the Indian origins of Tonka paintings in

the Indian origins of Tonka paintings in

the Indian origins of Tonka paintings in 1997 during an audience with His

1997 during an audience with His

1997 during an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama I asked him why

Holiness the Dalai Lama I asked him why

Holiness the Dalai Lama I asked him why they were not very many women learning

they were not very many women learning

they were not very many women learning finger painting and he replied that

finger painting and he replied that

finger painting and he replied that there were no restrictions and anyone

there were no restrictions and anyone

there were no restrictions and anyone could pursue learning thangka painting I

could pursue learning thangka painting I

could pursue learning thangka painting I was seriously considering to become a

was seriously considering to become a

was seriously considering to become a thangka painter and my wish was granted

thangka painter and my wish was granted

thangka painter and my wish was granted I started my training under master

I started my training under master

I started my training under master temperature fill at noble Inca Institute

temperature fill at noble Inca Institute

temperature fill at noble Inca Institute a noble Inca Institute is a center for

a noble Inca Institute is a center for

a noble Inca Institute is a center for preserving Tibetan art and culture my

preserving Tibetan art and culture my

preserving Tibetan art and culture my training was rigorous requiring hours of

training was rigorous requiring hours of

training was rigorous requiring hours of training sitting and dedication I had

training sitting and dedication I had

training sitting and dedication I had realized

realized

realized this was no less than a lifetime

this was no less than a lifetime

this was no less than a lifetime commitment I was ready to take the

commitment I was ready to take the

commitment I was ready to take the challenge it takes five to ten years to

challenge it takes five to ten years to

challenge it takes five to ten years to become an accomplished artist and it

become an accomplished artist and it

become an accomplished artist and it takes almost the entire life to become a

takes almost the entire life to become a

takes almost the entire life to become a master sometimes a student may decide to

master sometimes a student may decide to

master sometimes a student may decide to spend his or her entire life with the

spend his or her entire life with the

spend his or her entire life with the master working growing each day until he

master working growing each day until he

master working growing each day until he or she becomes the master

or she becomes the master

or she becomes the master after practicing and learning conquer

after practicing and learning conquer

after practicing and learning conquer paintings for about 16 years I decided

paintings for about 16 years I decided

paintings for about 16 years I decided to pursue my formal education I

completed my masters in Buddhist studies

completed my masters in Buddhist studies in Tibetan language in 2015 I am

in Tibetan language in 2015 I am

in Tibetan language in 2015 I am currently pursuing my PhD under the able

currently pursuing my PhD under the able

currently pursuing my PhD under the able guidance of professor dr. Irvin Agarwal

guidance of professor dr. Irvin Agarwal

guidance of professor dr. Irvin Agarwal I realized that the more I was exposed

I realized that the more I was exposed

I realized that the more I was exposed or introduced to the existing knowledge

or introduced to the existing knowledge

or introduced to the existing knowledge of Buddhist paintings the more I’m

of Buddhist paintings the more I’m

of Buddhist paintings the more I’m inspired to add to this existing

inspired to add to this existing

inspired to add to this existing knowledge now with an eye of an artist

knowledge now with an eye of an artist

knowledge now with an eye of an artist in my twenties I exhibited and carried

in my twenties I exhibited and carried

in my twenties I exhibited and carried the legacy of Tonka paintings to several

the legacy of Tonka paintings to several

the legacy of Tonka paintings to several countries in the world I was so

countries in the world I was so

countries in the world I was so fascinated and inspired by the response

fascinated and inspired by the response

fascinated and inspired by the response of the people to acquire these paintings

of the people to acquire these paintings

of the people to acquire these paintings and to learn about Tonka paintings I

and to learn about Tonka paintings I

and to learn about Tonka paintings I married to master Lucho a renowned tonka

married to master Lucho a renowned tonka

married to master Lucho a renowned tonka painting master and a very kind-hearted

painting master and a very kind-hearted

painting master and a very kind-hearted human being we have blessed with two

human being we have blessed with two

human being we have blessed with two daughters Sara and Melissa we together

daughters Sara and Melissa we together

daughters Sara and Melissa we together as a family realized that thangka

as a family realized that thangka

as a family realized that thangka paintings needs to be kept alive for the

paintings needs to be kept alive for the

paintings needs to be kept alive for the benefit of the humanity and in order to

benefit of the humanity and in order to

benefit of the humanity and in order to ensure this we created a space called

ensure this we created a space called

ensure this we created a space called Center for living Buddhist art a one of

Center for living Buddhist art a one of

Center for living Buddhist art a one of its kind space in the world with an art

its kind space in the world with an art

its kind space in the world with an art studio an Art Museum and an art school

studio an Art Museum and an art school

studio an Art Museum and an art school here apart from offering the

here apart from offering the

here apart from offering the conventional long-term programs that

conventional long-term programs that

conventional long-term programs that already existed in the tradition we

already existed in the tradition we

already existed in the tradition we restructured and customized several

restructured and customized several

restructured and customized several short courses ranging from one day to

short courses ranging from one day to

short courses ranging from one day to several weeks months or years just to

several weeks months or years just to

several weeks months or years just to make this more popular worldwide and to

make this more popular worldwide and to

make this more popular worldwide and to attract more attention now with the

attract more attention now with the

attract more attention now with the introduction of these short courses the

introduction of these short courses the

introduction of these short courses the artists students universities worldwide

artists students universities worldwide

artists students universities worldwide were attracted and students started

were attracted and students started

were attracted and students started pouring in I was amazed at the response

pouring in I was amazed at the response

pouring in I was amazed at the response even students under the prestigious

even students under the prestigious

even students under the prestigious Fulbright scholarships are Rockefeller

Fulbright scholarships are Rockefeller

Fulbright scholarships are Rockefeller Memorial Fellowship and many other took

Memorial Fellowship and many other took

Memorial Fellowship and many other took these tailored programs new books were

these tailored programs new books were

these tailored programs new books were now written in English giving

now written in English giving

now written in English giving instructions on how to do these drawings

instructions on how to do these drawings

instructions on how to do these drawings using the traditional grids thousands of

using the traditional grids thousands of

using the traditional grids thousands of images and ink drawings were now

images and ink drawings were now

images and ink drawings were now digitalized and made available for

digitalized and made available for

digitalized and made available for public access with the help of

public access with the help of

public access with the help of university of denver colorado continuing

university of denver colorado continuing

university of denver colorado continuing with our aim we are now creating a

with our aim we are now creating a

with our aim we are now creating a museum exhibiting masterpiece paintings

museum exhibiting masterpiece paintings

museum exhibiting masterpiece paintings connecting us to a rich cultural

connecting us to a rich cultural

connecting us to a rich cultural heritage these paintings

heritage these paintings

heritage these paintings and this space will walk us through the

and this space will walk us through the

and this space will walk us through the 2300 years of journey that Buddhist

2300 years of journey that Buddhist

2300 years of journey that Buddhist paintings have made today the appeal and

paintings have made today the appeal and

paintings have made today the appeal and the message that thunk our paintings

the message that thunk our paintings

the message that thunk our paintings Kari has extended itself to the entire

Kari has extended itself to the entire

Kari has extended itself to the entire world and there are more women taking

world and there are more women taking

world and there are more women taking part in the program learning and

part in the program learning and

part in the program learning and creating Tonka paintings more than ever

creating Tonka paintings more than ever

creating Tonka paintings more than ever before and I feel this is because of the

before and I feel this is because of the

before and I feel this is because of the humans spiritual and creative zeal to

humans spiritual and creative zeal to

humans spiritual and creative zeal to connect to the beauty and the divine

connect to the beauty and the divine

connect to the beauty and the divine I feel art never dies it may change its

I feel art never dies it may change its

I feel art never dies it may change its name styles school or forms it flows

name styles school or forms it flows

name styles school or forms it flows like a river to meet with its ultimate

like a river to meet with its ultimate

like a river to meet with its ultimate it is a continuum it is flowing as I

it is a continuum it is flowing as I

it is a continuum it is flowing as I give this talk here and now it is going

give this talk here and now it is going

give this talk here and now it is going to flow through all of you today

to flow through all of you today

to flow through all of you today we all are fortunate to be able to

we all are fortunate to be able to

we all are fortunate to be able to witness this ongoing transformative

witness this ongoing transformative

witness this ongoing transformative journey of Tonka paintings a beautiful

journey of Tonka paintings a beautiful

journey of Tonka paintings a beautiful legacy of love kindness and compassion

legacy of love kindness and compassion

legacy of love kindness and compassion that needs to be preserved and cheered