Digital Thangkas Free to Download
On this page you will find (almost) all of my thangkas… and they are free to download!
My images are drawn on an A1-size in high resolution (at least 300dpi); the format of the image is .jpg. You can download a thangka image of your liking and use it freely: print it, use it on your website, you can even sell prints from it (donations and a reference to me are welcome in this case).
There are only two conditions.
- These are Buddhist images, treat them with respect please.
- Do not change an image in any way, such as adding other imagery or text, crop them (meaning you cannot cut off parts of it) or change its colours.
If you need another version of an image, please contact me so we can work out the details.
Mandala of the Medicine Buddha
On the 14th of December 2023 I finished an 8-year project: painting The Mandala of the Medicine Buddha, including separate images of the 53 deities, protectors, guardians etcetera it contains. You can download these in high-resolution on its own page.
Excluded Images
You may have seen some of my images in my FB workshop, that you will not find on this page. These are personal thangkas commissioned by some of my customers.
Tantric images
Tantric images are only meant for Buddhist practitioners that have received the correct initiations from a Lama and have extensive understanding of the portrayed deity and or symbols.
Wrong understanding will lead to wrong views, that can be harmful not only to you but also to others.
Keep this in mind when you click this link to my tantric images.
Special: Yüllé Gyalma
Tara who gains victory over war
Yüllé Gyalma (2964 downloads ) (11,4 MB)
I was requested to paint an image of Tara Yüllé Gyalma as an aid to our Dharma friends all over the world. Her name in Tibetan means “Tara who gains victory over war”. She is renowned for protecting against all the obstacles related with wars. She can reverse the march of armies or stop the war completely. Her protection also applies inwardly too, as she stops hostile emotions born of conceptual thinking that disturb our awareness and wisdom and might lead us to warlike actions.
Yüllé Gyalma Praise booklet
Her praise is available as a small A5 booklet, in the following languages:
Cantonese:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 Cantonese (1837 downloads )
Catalan:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 Catalan (1917 downloads )
Chinese (traditional):
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 Traditional Chinese (1678 downloads )
English:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 English (2693 downloads )
German:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 German (1895 downloads )
Nepalese:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 Nepalese (1701 downloads )
Polish:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 Polish (1766 downloads )
Portuguese:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 Portuguese (1701 downloads )
Russian:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 Russian (2141 downloads )
Spanish:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 Spanish (1795 downloads )
Ukrainian:
Yüllé Gyalma Booklet A5 Ukrainian (1864 downloads )
Back of the image
If you like to print the praise on the backside of the image, you can download this pdf:
Yüllé Gyalma Back (558 downloads )
(480 kB)
The text OM AH HUM will be printed at the crown, throat and heart chakra of the deity.
Make sure your printing paper is opaque enough, otherwise the text will be visible in Yüllé Gyalma’s image.
Big thanks for this opportunity, Cynthia Laurrell!
And thank you, Venerable Tenpa, for sharing you knowledge and your support.
My Digital Thangkas
Buddha Shakyamuni with Two Disciples
Buddha Shakyamuni with Two Disciples (5394 downloads ) (14,2 MB)
Buddha Shakyamuni is the buddha from our time. Born as a prince named Siddhārtha Gautama, he chose to renounce his title and wealth and discover the true nature of samsara.
He is accompanied by his two main disciples: Shariputra on his right side and Moggallana on his left. Although both are often portrayed as fair-skinned, Moggallana is actually described as “having a dark complexion”.
Padmasambhava, Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal
Padmasambhava, with Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal (3971 downloads ) (16,6 MB)
Padmasambhava, the Lotus-born introduced Tantric Buddhism to Tibet and is credited with establishing the first Buddhist monastery there. He is also known as Guru Rinpoche. He is portrayed here with his two principal consorts, Mandarava (to his right hand) and Yeshe Tsogyal.
Eight Medicine Buddhas Tower (FPMT)
Eight Medicine Buddhas Tower FPMT (7961 downloads ) (18,4 MB)
This thangka of The Eight Medicine Buddhas is based on the description, given in the 2013 version of the Medicine Buddha sadhana by Ngawang Losang Tenpa Gyältsän, translated by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche and prepared by Ven. Thubten Gyatso. Therefore it is usable in the visualization practice of said sadhana.
These are the Seven Medicine Buddhas with Buddha Shakyamuni as the eighth.
The names of the buddhas are (top/down):
- Buddha Shakyamuni
- Glorious King of Excellent Signs
- King of Melodious Sound
- Stainless Excellent Gold
- Supreme Glory Free from Sorrow<
- Melodious Ocean of Proclaimed Dharma
- King of Clear Knowing
- Medicine Buddha (Sangye Menla)
At the bottom there are six herbs used in Tibetan medicine, from left to right: cardamon, wolfberry, nutmeg, namgyal arura, medicinal ginger and eaglewood.
You can view the separate images of the buddhas on my Facebook gallery.
Eight Medicine Buddhas Tower (13th Dalai Lama)
Eight Medicine Buddhas Tower 13th Dalai Lama (3593 downloads ) (19,2 MB)
This thangka of The Eight Medicine Buddhas is based on the description, given by the 13th Dalai Lama to the Ganden Monastery in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia. The colours of the Medicine Buddhas and their mudras are different from the one from the FPMT (above).
Eight Medicine Buddhas field with Tibetan medicinal herbs
Eight Medicine Buddhas with Tibetan medicinal herbs (8025 downloads ) (38,5 MB)
The Seven Medicine Buddhas with Buddha Shakyamuni as the eighth.
The Buddhas from top to bottom, left to right:
- Buddha Shakyamuni
- King of Clear Knowing
- Melodious Ocean of Proclaimed Dharma
- Supreme Glory Free from Sorrow
- Stainless Excellent Gold
- King of Melodious Sound
- Glorious King of Excellent Signs
In the middle the Medicine Buddha (Sangye Menla in Tibetan) is depicted.
At the bottom there are six herbs used in Tibetan medicine, from left to right: cardamon, wolfberry, nutmeg, namgyal arura, medicinal ginger and eaglewood.
Eight Medicine Buddhas field with Longevity deities
Eight Medicine Buddhas with Long-life Deities (5160 downloads ) (42,7 MB)
Same as the one above but at the bottom the three long-life deities are portrayed: Amitayus with at his right side White Tara and to his left Namgyalma (Ushnisha Vijaya in Sanskriet).
Medicine Buddha with Healing Dakinis
Medicine Buddha with Healing Dakinis (5220 downloads ) (16,5 MB)
This image of the Medicine Buddha with Healing Dakinis was done, according to a visualization description from Healing Buddha – A practice for the prevention and healing of disease and The Prayer Liberating Shakya from disease – © 2001, 2008, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Medicine Buddha on Throne
Medicine Buddha on throne (8923 downloads ) (6,9 MB)
By request: the Medicine Buddha on his throne.
Twenty-one Taras (Atisha tradition)
Twenty-one Taras (Atisha) (6297 downloads ) (40,6 MB)
This thangka image can be used as a visualization aid during the Praise to the Twenty-one Taras. It is drawn according to the description of the great Buddhist master and scholar Atisha.
Twenty-one Taras -Overview Sheet
(Atisha tradition)
21 Taras – Overview Sheet (10795 downloads ) (28,2 MB)
All the 21 Taras as separate images, for use in the sadhana. They are drawn and ordered according to the description of Atisha, so please check with your teacher before using them.
Green Tara
Green Tara Tushita (7109 downloads ) (24,7 MB)
Green Tara is a bodhisattva associated with compassion and action. She is seen as the female aspect of Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara). It is told that she came into this world from one of his tears.
She actively protects against the Eight Fears, hence her wide open eyes as well as the posture of her legs, getting up to leave her lotus throne.
This particular thangka is dedicated to Centre de meditació Tushita, who gave me refuge when I needed it most. You can see the buildings of the centre in the hills.
The yellow flowers are local to the area; they are called Spanish broom (Spartium Junceum).
Her mantra is:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA
Green Tara Solo version
Green Tara Solo (4941 downloads ) (11,5 MB)
This version of Green Tara is made for people who want to visualize the bodhisattva without being distracted by the landscape.
Manjushri
Manjushri (5878 downloads ) (28,0 MB)
Manjushri is a bodhisattva associated with prajñā (transcendent wisdom). He belongs to the three protective bodhisattvas surrounding the Buddha. Manjushri manifests all the Buddha’s wisdom, Avalokiteśvara all the Buddha’s immense compassion, and Vajrapāni all the Buddha’s power.
The veera (lute) displayed is a reference to Manjushri’s consort Saraswati. She is often depicted playing one, while riding a swan, hence the swan’s head at the top of the lute.
White Tara
White Tara (5893 downloads ) (11,7 MB)
White Tara, the female bodhisattva of compassion, long life, healing and serenity; also known as The Wish-fulfilling Wheel, or Cintachakra.
Her mantra is:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MAMA AYUR PUNYE JÑANA PUSHTIM KURU YE SVAHA
White Tara Gold on Red
White Tara Gold on Red (3662 downloads ) (24,8 MB)
This variation of White Tara is a digital translation of a Chinese style, where gold is painted on a dark red lacquer background. As it is customary, I have painted in the eyes and face. The lotus flower is painted using faded colours.
Vajrapani
Vajrapani with naginis (4679 downloads ) (21,2 MB)
Vajrapani is the protector and guide of Buddha Shakyamuni and symbolizes the Buddha’s power. Vajrapani is extensively represented in Buddhist iconography as one of the earliest three protective deities or bodhisattvas surrounding the Buddha. Each of them symbolizes one of the Buddha’s virtues: Manjushri manifests all the Buddha” wisdom, Avalokiteshvara manifests all the Buddha’s immense compassion, and Vajrapani protects the Buddha and manifests all the Buddha’s power as well as the power of all five tathagatas.
For the yogi, he is a means of accomplishing fierce determination and symbolizes unrelenting effectiveness in the conquest of negativity. He is called the Master of Unfathomable Mysteries who upholds truth even in adversities of darkness and ignorance.
He is also the protector of the Nagas. Since the Naga are believed to control the rainclouds, Vajrapani is looked upon as the Rain god, and it is to him the Mahayana Buddhists appeal when rain is needed or is too abundant.
His mantra is: OM VAJRAPANI HUM
Avalokiteshvara
Avalokiteshvara (6126 downloads ) (15,3 MB)
Avalokiteshvara (Tibetan: Chenrezig) is the bodhisattva of compassion. His name means “The one with the unwavering eye”. His mantra is probably the most well known in the world: Om Mani Padme Hum.
Avalokiteshvara wears a deer skin, a reference to compassion. The story behind this is the following. It is said that a certain Tibetan deer is so compassionate, that it cannot stand violence and injustice. Hunters take advantage of its nature to lure the deer out. By staging a fight between two of them, the deer – filled with compassion – comes out of hiding to stop the fighting and then is shot by a third hunter.
In this image, compassion prevails: the hunter breaks his bow and befriends the deer. The two fighting men are off to a monastery, one becoming a Buddhist monk.
A complete thangka of this image was offered as a gift to HH the 14th Dalai Lama, during his visit to The Netherlands in 2014.
Avalokiteshvara with Lapis Lazuli Jewel
Avalokiteshvara – Lapis Lazuli (3808 downloads ) (19,2 MB)
This is a version of the Avalokiteshvara image above, adapted for a different visualization. The Jewel is made of lapis lazuli, Avalokiteshvara carries a pink lotus in his left first hand and a mala made of chrystal in his first right.
Prajnaparamita
Prajnaparamita (5033 downloads ) (22,7 MB)
Prajnaparamita means “The Perfection of (Transcendent) Wisdom”, refering to the perfected way of seeing the nature of reality, as well as a collection of suttras.
This female bodhisattva with the same name is the personification of this fundamental element of the Bodhisattva path.
This image is part of the Mandala of the Medicine Buddha, a painting project I am working on for the next two years.
Prajnaparamita Line Drawing
Prajnaparamita Line Drawing (3539 downloads ) (16,6 MB)
Prajnaparamita image as a line drawing.
For the description see the full-colour version of Prajnaparamita.
Eight Auspicious Symbols
Eight Auspicious Symbols (5078 downloads ) (13,7 MB)
The Eight Auspicious Symbols embody various Buddhist aspects:
Parasol – protects from all suffering caused by destructive emotions, illness, harm and other obstacles
Golden Fish – fearlessness, freedom and liberation, fertility and abundance
Treasure Vase – inexhaustible source of longevity, and fulfillment of all spiritual and material wishes
Lotus Blossom – symbolizes purity of mind and heart, transformation, compassion and all other perfect qualities
Conch Shell – symbolizes the far-reaching melodious sound of the spiritual teachings
Endless Knot – the symbol of interdependence, of how everything in the universe is interconnected
Victory Banner – symbol of victory over all disagreement, disharmony or obstacles, and the attainment of both temporary and ultimate happiness Dharma Wheel – symbolizing the teachings of Buddha.
Eight Auspicious Symbols Tower
Eight Auspicious Symbols Tower (4139 downloads ) (7,1 MB)
For an explanation of The Eight Auspicious Symbols see the version above.
Eight Auspicious Symbols Line Drawing
Eight Auspicious Symbols Line Drawing (3810 downloads ) (6,8 MB)
For an explanation of The Eight Auspicious Symbols see the version above.
Three Long-Life Deities – Namgyalma
Three Long-life Deities – Namgyalma, Amitayus and White Tara (4780 downloads ) (15,8 MB)
Namgyalma (Ushnisha Vijaya) is one of The Three Long-life Deities, that are combined in this image; Amitayus sits to her right and White Tara to her left.
I have made two other images of these with each having a different centre figure: one with Amitayus in the middle and one with White Tara.
Three Long-Life Deities – Amitayus
Three Long-life Deities – Amitayus, White Tara an Namgyalma (4488 downloads ) (44,6 MB)
Amitayus is one of The Three Long-life Deities, that are combined in this image; White Tara sits to his right and Namgyalma (Ushnisha Vijaya) to his left.
Three Long-Life Deities – White Tara
Three Long-life Deities – White Tara, Amitayus and Namgyalma (4387 downloads ) (46,7 MB)
White Tara is one of The Three Long-life Deities, that are combined in this image; Amitayus sits to her right and Namgyalma (Ushnisha Vijaya) to her left.
Lama Tsongkhapa with disciples
Lama Tsongkhapa (6715 downloads ) (38,3 MB)
Lama Tsongkhapa, author of the Lamrim Chenmo, with his two disciples Gyaltsab Je (the older) and Khedrub Je (the younger).
White Tara Mantra Garland
White Tara Mantra Garland (3945 downloads ) (4,6 MB)
The Mantra Garland of White Tara. Usually the mantra is painted in the same colour of the deity,so this is a study in white on white. The garland contains the short and long mantra, and the syllables of the Tibetan alphabet. It is surrounded by protective auras and vajras.
Her short mantra is OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA
The long mantra is OM TARE TUTTARE MAMA AYUR PUNYA JNANA PUSTIM KURU SOHA
White Tara Mantra Garland Black&White
White Tara Mantra Garland Line Drawing (3505 downloads ) (4,1 MB)
See the explanation above underneath the coloured version.
Chenrezig Mantra Garland
Om Mani Padme Hum Mantra Garland (3988 downloads ) (3,5 MB)
The Mantra Garland of Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara in Sanskriet). The garland contains the mantra that is probably most well-known in the world:
OM MANI PADME HUM
Chenrezig Mantra Garland Black&White
Om Mani Padme Hum Mantra Garland Line Drawing (3738 downloads ) (6,8 MB)
A black&white version of the mantra garland above.
Amitayus with mantra
Amitayus with mantra (4182 downloads ) (5,6 MB)
Amitayus, the sambhogakāya (enlightment) body of Amitabha.
The short mantra of Amitayus in the background reads:
OM AMARANI ZEWANTEYE SOHA
Amitabha
Amitabha (5103 downloads ) (7,6 MB)
Amitābha is known for his longevity attribute, the aggregate of discernment, pure perception and the deep awareness of emptiness of phenomena. According to the scriptures, Amitābha possesses infinite merits resulting from good deeds over countless past lives as a bodhisattva named Dharmakāra.
Amitābha means “Infinite Light”. Since his sambhogakāya (enlightment) body Amitāyus means “Infinite Life”, Amitābha is also called “The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life”.14