Dharmapala Thangka CentreSchool of Thangka Painting


9.12 Tibet Cosmos Mandala [2]

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An abundant literature in the West is dedicated to the subject of the mythical kingdom of Shambala. James Hilton´s novel "Lost Horizon", published in 1933, romanticized and made this legend popular with a large Western public. In Tibet, various aspects of the legend were established by the third Panchen Lama [1737 - 1780].

This painting depicts the mythical kingdom of Shambala in the shape of a Mandala, a place dedicated to the glory of the archetype deity Kalachakra. This country, where devotees may be reborn, is situated by geographers somewhere in the north, maybe in Central Asia, separated from the rest of the world by the river Sita [perhaps the Tarim].

Shambala is surrounded by a double range of snow covered mountains "pointed and sharp as teeth." In the upper quarter the last king of Shambala Rhudrachakrin, holds court in the palace of Kalapa. All around are represented the various palaces of the vassals.

According to recent tradition, the Panchen Lamas themselves reincarnate as kings of Shambala. In Mongolia and Tibet, the theme of this mythical northern kingdom was exploited for political reasons favourable to czarist Russia at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century

Text published in "Wisdom and compassion – The sacred art of Tibet from Marylin M. Rhie and Robert A. F. Thurman in association with Harry N. Abrahams, Inc., Publisher", Page 378

First Version


PropertyValue
Measurements: 21.7 x 25.6" | 55 x 65 cm
Price: on request
Shipment: Parcel Service from Germany or Nepal
Color: Color Version
High resolution: Display [3.0 MB, 2120 x 3643 px.]
Material: Natural Stone Colors