Thangka wall
What is Thangka Wall
In Tibetan religious architecture, a thangka wall is a stone-built structure used for hanging giant thangkas in the major Buddhist monasteries of Tibet. These giant thangkas are popularly known as gosku, gheku, or kiku. As for the placement, the thangka wall stands on a hillside above the monastic settlement. The thangka wall is narrow, elongated and tall rectangular building with a battered façade. There is a flat roof surrounded by a parapet.
Thangka wall at the large monasteries of Tibet
It is recorded that at least four large monasteries in China's Tibet Autonomous Region possess a giant thangka wall. These monasteries are Sera (Lhasa), Palcho Chode (Gyantse), Tashilhunpo (Shigatse) and Riwo Dechen (Qonggyai). It is recorded that the thangka walls present at Tashilhunpo and Palcho Chode are centuries-old monuments.
Thangka wall at Sera Monastery, Lhasa
The thangka wall at Sera monastery is located near the Choding hermitage. Before the monastery was built, this place was used by the Tsongkhapa for the retreat. The thangka wall was replaced to a scaffolding that was erected on a slope. During the Shoton Festival, the giant thangka of the Buddha is lifted and is displayed with the help of the Thangka wall. The people gather at the wide yard in front of the building to gaze on the giant thangkas.
Thangka wall at Palcho Chode, Gyantse
The thangka wall at Palcho Chode was built in 1425 CE. This thangka wall is located above a hillside in the north-eastern part of the monastery. The giant thangka is set to display for the public in the Gyantse festival in the fourth month of the Tibetan year. It is recorded that the thangkas depicting Shakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, and Dipankara Buddha were displayed in an alternation within a two-year cycle. But the thangka depicting Dipankara Buddha is in a poor state of repair so it is no longer displayed during the festival.
Thangka wall at Tashilhunpo, Shigatse
The thangka wall at Tashilhunpo sands on a hillside in the north-eastern part of the monastery. The wall is the largest and the most impressive which still survives. It is recorded that the wall was built in the mid 15th century CE and has a height of approximately 32 metres with a breadth of 42 meters at the base.
On this thangka wall, the thangkas depicting Maitreya Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Sakyamuni Buddha is displayed alternately on the festival which happens on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd July annually.
Thangka wall at Riwo Dechen, Qonggyai
This thangka wall is situated at Riwo Dechen Kagyupa monastery in the Xian of Qonggyai. The thangka wall overbears the other monastic buildings and is recently build as compared to other thangka wall. The front face of the building has a strong batter. A stone masonry retains wall marks out the platform that extends outside the thangka wall. This thangka wall is used to display the giant thangka of Maitreya Buddha. This thangka is preserved and maintained by the monastery.
Mounting of the thangka at thangka wall
While depicting the thangka of various icons of the Buddha through the thangka wall, a silk brocade is used to mount the thangka. However, it may change some of the details on the iconography and overall aesthetic of the thangka. Also when hanged the thangka on a damp wall, it may lead to damage of the condition of the thangka.
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