Tibetan Iconography

Tibetan iconography known as tig tse in Tibetan is the sacred geometry of Tibet. Different classes of figures are are divided into groups, each group has its own special measurements. Since all of Buddhism comes from the Buddha he is the largest measurement.

1. Buddhas, including important teachers of the Vajrayana and certain tantric figures.

2. Bodhisattvas, Sons of the Buddha.

#. Female Bodhisattvas incluing Dakinis

4. Protectors of the Dharma.

5.Humans

The idea originates with Thongdrol, "liberation by sight", with the viewing of a perfectly proportioned figure plants the seed of enlightenment in the viewers heart

Some of these pages contain my teachers teacher's early 20th century sketchbook of Tibetan sacred geometry grids, some from other traditions I have collected over the years. These grids for centuries are aids in learning to draw the Buddha images with correct proportions.

One my teachers and friends of that period 1969-1975 was the late Sherpa artist Kapa Ngawong Damcho, also known as Pargyaltsen, who was educated in Tsang Southern Tibet at Tashilunpo Monastery. He lived near and worked for Tsulshik Rimpoche at Tubten Choling in Solu Khumbu, Nepal.

1972 while working in Solu Khumbu, Eastern Nepal, I had the good fortune to photograph his teachers sketch book.

This book was originally drawn on handmade Tibetan paper, and made by bamboo pen, brush and black ink.

These proved most useful when Terris and Leslie  created two giant appliqué thangkas for HH Karmapa's Tsurphu Monastery, Tibet. (1992-97) As well as the Drachey's we are now creating.

I am pleased to share these images with those who are interested in Tibetan Thangkas. More images will be added as time allows.

Good Luck to all those learning about this special art form.