The Life of Buddha Thangka painting is a visual depiction portraying significant events and stages in the life of Lord Gautama Buddha and his subsequent teachings. The painting typically follows a chronological sequence that starts from the pre-birth events and eventually leads up to the enlightenment of Lord Buddha.
The "Life of Buddha Thangka" illustrates several of Lord Buddha's teachings. There is a belief that the Life of Budhha painting brings good fortune. Looking at this painting, a person can be positively impacted and leave an imprint of long-lasting happiness. These paintings have distinct protective blessings inscribed at the back.
The "Life of Buddha Thangka" painting can be divided into several panels or sections; each represents a specific event or stage of the life of lord Buddha. Some of the most common scenes depicted in the Life of Buddha thangka paintings include:
- First stage - Birth and Early Life: The Life of Buddha Thangka painting shows the Buddha's birth in Lumbini, Nepal, along with the newborn Buddha taking his first steps and later being predicted to become a great king or a great sage.
- Second Stage - Renunciation: This part depicts the Buddha leaving his luxurious palace for the first time and encountering scenes of old age, sickness, and death, eventually leading him to renounce his princely life in quest of enlightenment.
- Third stage - Meditation and Enlightenment: This section in the thangka painting (Life of Buddha) portrays the Buddha's intense meditation under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where he attains enlightenment and becomes awakened.
- First Sermon: The Life of Buddha Thangka painting shows the Buddha delivering his first sermon in Deer Park, Sarnath, known as the "Turning of the Wheel of Dharma," where he expounds the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
- Miracles and Teachings: Various significant events and teachings from the Buddha's life are depicted, such as his miracles, encounters with disciples and followers, and teachings on compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness.
- Parinirvana: The final stage of the Buddha's life, his passing away, is impermanent and represents his ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
