Murals on Tibetan Buddhist monasteries

Tibetan Monasteries are known for their rich culture and traditions rooted in the teachings of Buddhism. One of the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries is the presence of ritualistic place dedicated to deities. Vajrayana Buddhism contains intricate iconography dealing with dieties and religious practices.To a general devout it may appear as images and icons to bring luck or drive away evil spirits.Thangkas at monsateries show Buddha, Gurus, Yantras, Mandalas, that bring good luck,health, prosperity, wisdom, longevity, and peace.

Thangkas are colorful pictorial representation of religious iconography, fables, and philosophy. The pictorial presentations helped them gain popularity among masses during its introduction in around 8th century. These thangkas were painted on fabric which could be rolled. Such portability helped Buddhist monks carry them from one place to other while propagating religion. Thangkas as medium of propagation of ideology, spread from Nepal to Tibet and then to far off places like Mongolia.

Murals
Murals serve as visual representations of Buddhist teachings, stories, and deities. They acquaint the followers with glimpses of Buddhist tenets, pantheon, teachings, history, folklore, religious and cosmic objects.

Lineages
Murals depict lineages of Spiritual Gurus (religious teachers), and their desciples. The Guru (teacher)-disciple relationship is fundamental to all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Knowledge and religious practices are passed over from Guru to disciples. Murals represent the vast array of religious guru lineages. Each school has its Gurus and lineage of disciples. There are five schools of Tibetan Buddhism; the last among them being Bon, added recently.

Schools of Vajrayana Buddhism:  Nyingma-pa[]  (Padma-sambhava), Sakya-pa [](Virupa ), Kagyu-pa[] (Marpa), and  Gelug-pa[] (Tsong-kha-pa), Bon (ancient Tibet religion).

Buddhist Deities


Buddha Shakyamuni: The historical Buddha, also known as Gautama Buddha, is often depicted at the center of murals. He represents the enlightened state and serves as the embodiment of wisdom, compassion, and liberation.

Buddha Families: The Buddha families are five symbolic groups that represent different aspects of enlightened qualities. Each family is associated with a specific Buddha, color, element, wisdom aspect, and afflicted emotion. In the vajrayana iconography, visualization of Buddha in five forms is called Dhyani Buddha. Buddha images are created with Vairocana at the center and Amitabha (Yodpame) in West, Akshobhya (Mitrugpa) in East, Amoghasidhi (Donyen Dondrup) in North, and Ratnasambhava (Rinchen Jungney) in South.

1.Vairochana (white): Associated with the element of space and represents the wisdom of all-encompassing consciousness. It transforms the afflicted emotion of ignorance into the wisdom of reality.

2.Akshobhya (blue): Associated with the element of water and represents mirror-like wisdom. It transforms the afflicted emotion of anger and aggression into mirror-like wisdom that reflects things as they are.

3.Ratnasambhava (yellow): Associated with the element of earth and represents the wisdom of equanimity and richness. It transforms the afflicted emotion of pride into the wisdom of equanimity.

4.Amitabha (red): Associated with the element of fire and represents discriminating wisdom. It transforms the afflicted emotion of attachment and desire into discriminating wisdom that sees the true nature of phenomena.

5.Amoghasiddhi (green) : Associated with the element of air or wind and represents all-accomplishing wisdom. It transforms the afflicted emotion of jealousy into the wisdom that accomplishes all actions.

These Buddha families are depicted in murals to represent the full spectrum of enlightened qualities and to inspire practitioners to cultivate and embody these qualities in their own spiritual journey.

Bodhisattvas; Bodhisattvas are compassionate beings who have attained advanced levels of realization but choose to postpone their own enlightenment to help sentient beings. Avalokiteshvara (the embodiment of compassion), Manjushri (the embodiment of wisdom), and Vajrapani (the embodiment of power) are among the most revered bodhisattvas depicted in murals.

Medicine Buddha: The Medicine Buddha, also known as Bhaiṣajyaguru, is a celestial Buddha associated with healing and the alleviation of suffering. He is often depicted in a deep blue color, holding a bowl of healing nectar.

Wrathful Deities
Wrathful Deities are protectors, or Dharmapalas, are revered in various schools of Tibetan Buddhism as powerful entities tasked with guarding the Dharma and its practitioners. They are often depicted in wrathful forms, symbolizing their fierce commitment to protecting the teachings of the Buddha and assisting practitioners on their path to enlightenment.

Mahakala, also known as the Great Black One, is a fierce and powerful deity associated with protection, overcoming obstacles, and the removal of negative forces. He is often depicted with a dark blue or black complexion, adorned with a crown of skulls and wearing a necklace of severed heads.

Yamantaka, also known as the Destroyer of Death, is a wrathful manifestation of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom. He is depicted with a fearsome appearance, often depicted with multiple heads, arms, and legs.

Directional Guardians : Dharmapalas, the fierce deities that ward off evil were also conceived with respect to directions. Accordingly, Vajrayana conceived Kuvera (Namthose) of North, Dhritarashtra (Yulkorsung) of East, Virudhka (Phagchepo) of South, and Virupaksha (Chenmigzang) of West. To make pictorial representation more vivid, these deities are associated with colour and characteristics. The fierce deities are associated with non-human forms making them aggressive as protectors.

Dakinis
Dakinis are female celestial beings associated with wisdom, spiritual guidance, and transformation. They are depicted in various forms, often dancing or flying in dynamic poses. In Tibetan Buddhism, there are numerous Dakinis, each associated with specific practices, qualities, and functions.

1.Vajrayogini : Vajrayogini is often depicted in a wrathful form, she is associated with the Chöd practice and is considered a fierce emanation of enlightened wisdom.

2.Kurukulle: Kurukulle is known as the Red Tara, she is associated with magnetizing activities, enchantment, and subjugating obstacles. Kurukulle is often invoked for love and relationship practices.

3.Tara Tara is often considered a Bodhisattva, certain forms of Tara are also revered as Dakinis. Green Tara, in particular, is widely venerated for her compassion and swift assistance.

4.Simhamukha: Simhamukha is a Dakini associated with the lion-headed wisdom deity, she is often invoked for protection and dispelling obstacles.

5.Nairatmya Nairatmya is also known as the Selfless One, Nairatmya is a Wisdom Dakini who represents the emptiness aspect of reality. She is associated with the Chakrasamvara tantra.

6.Troma Nagmo (Wrathful Black Varahi): Troma Nagmo is a wrathful emanation of Vajravarahi, associated with the Chöd practice and the cutting through of ego.

7.Vajravārāhī: Vajravārāh is also known as the Diamond Sow, she is a Dakini associated with the transformative power of compassion and is often linked with the Chakrasamvara tantra.

8.Machig Labdrön: Machig Labdrön is a historical figure and revered teacher, Machig Labdrön is often considered a Dakini. She is the founder of the Chöd practice and is associated with compassionate activities.

9.Dorje Shugden: Dorje Shugden is depicted as a wrathful deity, riding a snow lion and holding a sword and a wish-fulfilling jewel.

10.Palden Lhamo: Palden Lhamo is a fierce protectress and the only female among the eight major Dharmapalas. She is widely revered across the various schools of Tibetan Buddhism and is considered the principal protectress of Tibet itself. Palden Lhamo is typically depicted riding a mule over a sea of blood, with a mane of flaming hair, symbolizing her unwavering commitment to protecting the Dharma.

11.Ekajati (Ralchigma):: Ekajati is protector of the Dzogchen teachings and is known for her single eye, single tooth, and single breast. Ekajati is a powerful guardian against distractions and breaches of tantric commitments.

12.Tsiu Marpo: Originally a worldly god, Tsiu Marpo was subjugated by Padmasambhava and now serves as a protector of the teachings, particularly associated with the Nyingma school.

13.Setrap: Setrap is a protector associated with the Gelug school, Setrap is an emanation of Amitabha and is often depicted in a wrathful aspect, riding a red horse.

14.Gyalpo Sum: Gyalpo Sum refers to a group of four protector deities who were bound by Padmasambhava to protect the Dharma. They include spirits of the cardinal directions and are often invoked together.

Religious and Cosmic objects
Murals as objects of devotion inspire reverence and devotion towards the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and deities depicted in the artwork. Monasteries show several cosmic charts, mandalas and paitings of Vajrayana practices.

Monastic Life and tales
Monastic walls are painted often with glimpses of monastic life, tales of buddhist preachings and values. These artworks play a crucial role in teaching Buddhist principles and stories. They visually depict the life of the historical Buddha, important events in Buddhist history, and complex philosophical concepts. Therer are sveral art forms in the paitings of these murals. Avadana kalpalata is a form of paitings depicting Jataka tales; tales of Bodhisatva in animal form. Painting styles have been evolving such as karma Gadri style and  Menri style.