Although often conceived as formal and dogmatic, the true essence of Thangka is the complete opposite, and allows freedom to explore the mind in truly meaningful ways and then represent it upon a canvas.

The grid system, which all Thangkas are based on, may seem to the uninitiated as stifling and restrictive, but actually it's this very rigid structure that enables the true essence of the mind to be channeled outwards.

Drawing a set of Buddha's eyes may seem like a simple task, yet drawing a pair of Buddha's that capture the wisdom of all the Buddha's and your understanding of that wisdom can take a lifetime of work.

This practice of creating congruence between the mind and the outter image is what Master painters all over the world have perfected, regardless of their lineage or style. It is this quality that makes the study of Thangka so beneficial for all artists.