Material: Cloth. Printing. Scroll. (Thirty-five Buddhas)

Size: Approx. 122 x 83 cm

Description:

In Tibetan Buddhism, the **Thirty-five Buddhas** (Tibetan: བསངས་པའི་ལྷ་གསུམ་བཅུ་ལྔ།, Sangpa'i Lha Sumcu Nga) is a common theme in thangka art, representing the core concepts of repentance, purification of karma and practice of Buddhism. The following is a brief description of the significance and origin of the Thirty-five Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhist thangkas:

**The significance of the Thirty-five Buddhas**

1. **Repentance and purification of karma**:

- The Thirty-five Buddhas are mainly related to the "Thirty-five Buddhas Repentance Sutra" (full name "Three Collections Sutra" or "Thirty-five Buddhas Names Repentance Text"), which records the names of thirty-five Buddhas and is specifically designed for repentance of karma.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, practitioners purify the evil karma of body, speech, and mind, especially the ten unwholesome karmas and the five heinous crimes, by worshiping the thirty-five Buddhas, chanting their names, and making vows.

- The Thirty-five Buddhas in the thangka symbolize the blessing of compassion and wisdom, helping practitioners eliminate sins and improve their practice.

2. **Compassion and salvation**:

- Each Buddha represents a specific merit and vow, which together embody the Buddha's compassion and salvation of all beings. The images of the thirty-five Buddhas in the thangka remind practitioners that through sincere repentance and practice, they can obtain the Buddha's blessings and escape the suffering of samsara.

- These Buddha's names and images are believed to have powerful blessings, especially in the practice of Tantra, combined with the four powers of repentance (power of reliance, power of destroying evil, power of counteraction, and power of recovery), to enhance the purification effect.

3. **Symbols of practice**:

- The thirty-five Buddha images are often used in worship and visualization practices, especially in the "preliminary practice" of Tibetan Buddhism (such as the worship and repentance part of the four preliminary practices). Practitioners cultivate humility, piety and purity by worshiping the thirty-five Buddhas.

- As a visual aid for practice, thangka helps practitioners focus on the merits and names of the thirty-five Buddhas and deepen meditation and prayer.

4. **Combination of art and teaching**:

- In thangka, the thirty-five Buddhas are usually presented in a regular arrangement (such as five rows and seven columns), with Sakyamuni Buddha as the main figure in the center, surrounded by the other thirty-four Buddhas. Each Buddha's posture, holdings and colors have specific symbols, reflecting his unique aspirations and teachings.

- The exquisite images of thangka are not only artistic expressions, but also a medium for conveying Buddhist teachings, guiding practitioners into a deep spiritual experience.

**The origin of the thirty-five Buddhas**

1. **Scripture basis**:

- The belief in the thirty-five Buddhas originated from the Mahayana Buddhist classic "Three Collections Sutra" (or "Thirty-five Buddhas Repentance Sutra"), which was personally preached by Sakyamuni Buddha and recorded the names and merits of the thirty-five Buddhas.

- The sutra mentions that by devoutly worshiping these thirty-five Buddhas and chanting their names, one can purify the sins of countless kalpas, which is particularly suitable for repenting for major evil deeds (such as killing, stealing, etc.).

- In Tibetan Buddhism, this practice is incorporated into the practice of Tantric preliminary practices, especially in the Gelugpa and Nyingma traditions.

2. **Development in Tibetan Buddhism**:

- The Thirty-five Buddhas Repentance is highly valued in Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the Gelugpa's "Four Preliminary Practices" as an important method for purifying karma. Practitioners often worship the Thirty-five Buddhas in combination with the "Four Powers of Repentance", and the number can reach 100,000 times or more.

- As an art form of Tibetan Buddhism, thangka concretizes the image of the Thirty-five Buddhas, making it easier for practitioners to visualize and worship. These thangkas often appear in temples, monks' quarters or personal practice spaces for ceremonies or personal practice.

3. **Image Features**:

- In thangkas, the Thirty-five Buddhas are usually centered on Sakyamuni Buddha, and the other thirty-four Buddhas are arranged around him. The image of each Buddha (such as hand seals, objects held, and body color) is determined according to the description in the scriptures, symbolizing its specific merits.

- Thangkas are rigorously composed and often presented in a symmetrical manner. The background may include a pure land, lotus or halo, emphasizing the purity and holiness of the Buddha.

- Some thangkas may include other saints (such as bodhisattvas or guardians) to enrich the religious connotation of the image.

**Practice**

- **Prayer and chanting**: Practitioners worship the thirty-five Buddhas (usually accompanied by full-body prostrations) and chant their names, combined with the four powers of repentance to purify karma. Names such as "Shakyamuni Buddha", "Vajra Indestructible Buddha", "Ratna Buddha", etc., all come from the "Thirty-five Buddhas Repentance Sutra".

- **Ritual application**: In Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, the Thirty-five Buddhas Repentance is often held at specific rituals (such as New Year or major festivals), and believers chant and worship collectively to pray for purification and blessings.

- **Personal practice**: Practitioners may offer the Thirty-five Buddhas thangka at home as the focus of daily worship and visualization, especially when facing difficulties or illness, to pray for Buddha's blessings.

**Cultural Influence**

The Thirty-five Buddhas are not only a tool for religious practice in Tibetan Buddhism, but also reflect the Tibetan culture's emphasis on repentance and purification. Its thangka art combines exquisite painting skills with profound Buddhist connotations, becoming an important part of the visual culture of Tibetan Buddhism. These thangkas are not only used in temples and personal practice, but also as a medium for blessing and teaching in Tibetan communities, conveying the teachings of compassion and wisdom.

Thirty-five Buddhas (printed thangkas in cloth frames)