Why is Thangka painting one of the best Handicraft to buy/gift?

A thangka painting is a very special form of art. An original thangka is painted using the colouring of gemstones and is finished with gold. It 's believed that the minerals used to create the painting also give them life. Each painting takes months to complete and the eyes are painted on last since they are believed to be the way into the soul. Once the gods receive their eyes, the painting goes from being an object to being alive and therefore is treated with the utmost respect.

Devotion versus emotion?

An outstanding difference between Traditional Tibetan art and other contemporary art forms is the motivation. Thangka are painted in strict adherence to guidelines, passed down from teacher to student. Devoid of ego, many thangka artists will not sign their pieces, firmly believing their ego should not be present on an image of a Buddha.

Decisions on the environment, or background, are often left to the artist, what they deem most beautiful, or honorific. However, proportions, mudras, implements, positioning, and colouring of the Buddhas and deities are not left open to interpretation.