About Us

Training Centre of Tibetan Applique Arts

Tibetan appliqué thangka study centre is based in Dharamsala, North India. Many young Tibetans were trained so that this unique art making applique thangka can be preserved. Teaching this art form to the younger generation is important since most of the trained artists in Tibet have passed away. Moreover the China continues to restrict anything that is related to Tibetan Buddhist practice. So far the institute has trained 106 students.

A small contribution for reviving and preservation of the art had been recognized and certificates of appreciation and recognition were given by the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Department of Religion and Culture of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Namgyal Trantric Monastery and many other Institutions of the Tibetan community.

At present there are around 27 apprentices in the center on a basis of on job training provided with lunch, hostel and some pocket money. After training the artist can continue working for institute or they can leave.

Projects Undertaken

Lord Buddha brocade appliqué thangka:
In 1987, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai ordered a big brocade appliqué thangka consisting of the central figure of Lord Buddha surrounded by six throne-setting, top right and left is future Buddha Maitreya and Manjushri, Nagarjuna and Asanga. Offerings of gems and jewels at the bottom of Thangka. The central length of the image was 96X156 inches and the overall thangka length was 140X216 inches. This thangka is carried wherever His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives Kalachakra teachings in various places around the world, and hangs it on the background altar during teachings.

Three stages of Kalachakra Mandala brocade appliqué thangka:

Again in 1989, the office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama ordered a Kalachakra Mandala in brocade appliqué, which had never been made in Tibet. Our team worked hard to make 84X139 inches of the main three storey mandala and the overall size of thangka is 120X192 inches. This thangka is on display whenever His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives empowerment of Kalachakra initiations around the world. Fortunately this institute is the first ever to make kalachakra mandala in brocade appliqué in the world.

There are huge other brocade appliqué thangka produced by this institute for the Heads of the other Tibetan Buddhist schools, monasteries and individual sponsors.

CONTACT ADDRESS:
TIBETAN APPLIQUE ARTS TRAINING CENTRE
NEAR NAMGYAL MONASTERY
P.O. MCLEOD GANJ-176219
DISTRICT KANGRA
DHARMASALA (H.P.)

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