Dome

Detail, upper left corner of painting; A thangka (known as paubha in Newari) is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, or silk appliqué, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala. Thangkas are traditionally kept unframed and rolled up when not on display. Thangka serve as important teaching tools depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas and other deities and bodhisattvas. This one deals with retelling myths associated with the bodhisattva of compassion, Lokeshvara (Avalokiteshvara). The format is a Newar horizontal narrative scroll (vilampo in Newari), with comic-strip like registers of figures. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 4/15/2015)