Deity: Chitipati (尸陀林主) – The Lords of the Charnel Ground; symbolize that all obstacles will be reduced to dust and that nothing in the world is permanent (世间无任何永恒的事物). Remind practitioners to abandon attachment (勿生执念) and seek wisdom and liberation (找寻智慧寻求解脱大乐).
Art School: Rebgong Style (热贡系列) – A Tibetan Thangka tradition from Rebgong (热贡) with natural mineral pigments (百年不变色) and lineage transmission. Collectible and inheritable (可传承, 可收藏).
Origin: Rebgong (热贡), Tibet/China (Authentic lineage transmission).
Dimensions: Painting Core 4 x 5 cm (画心尺寸).
Pigments: 100% Authentic Natural Mineral Pigments (Color stability for 100+ years).
Casing: Dunhuang Nine-Colour Deer Silver Case (敦煌九色鹿银壳). Rope/beads not included.
I. Cultural Context: Chitipati (尸陀林主), the Lords of the Charnel Ground, embody one of Buddhism's most profound teachings: impermanence. They symbolize that "all obstacles will be reduced to dust" (所有障碍都将被推为尘土) and that "nothing in the world is permanent" (世间无任何永恒的事物)—that birth, ageing, sickness, and death are the lot of all conditioned existence. They remind practitioners to "abandon attachment" (勿生执念)—to let go of clinging to what cannot last—and to "seek wisdom and liberation" (找寻智慧寻求解脱大乐), turning the mind toward the path that leads beyond suffering. This Rebgong Thangka pendant serves as a portable shrine, allowing the wearer to carry this powerful reminder of impermanence and liberation close to the body in daily life.
II. Visual Analysis: The Richness of Rebgong Chitipati. This Rebgong masterpiece showcases the school's distinctive aesthetic: refined mineral pigments applied with clarity and depth, and deity iconography rendered in accordance with lineage conventions. Chitipati are typically depicted in the context of the charnel ground, with skeletal or deity forms that convey the teaching of impermanence. The use of natural mineral pigments (百年不变色) ensures that the intensity of colour and the legibility of each symbolic detail remain stable over time. Traditional Rebgong craftsmanship follows lineage transmission, making the piece both an object of devotion and a collectible work of Tibetan Buddhist art (可传承, 可收藏).
III. Artistic Alchemy: The Eternal Glow of Minerals. Painted by Rebgong lineage-trained painters, this Thangka is executed entirely with Natural Mineral Pigments—crushed malachite, azurite, cinnabar, and pure gold—bound with traditional mediums. These materials are resistant to oxidation and UV light, offering colour stability for well over a hundred years when cared for properly. The layering and shading techniques characteristic of Rebgong Thangka painting give the composition dimensionality and presence. Mounted in a Dunhuang Nine-Colour Deer silver case (敦煌九色鹿银壳), the painting is protected from moisture and impact. The result is a piece that is both "collectible and inheritable" (可传承, 可收藏)—suitable for personal practice, gifting, or long-term preservation as sacred art.
IV. Spiritual Merit & Modern Efficacy: Impermanence and Liberation. Wearing or keeping a Chitipati Rebgong Thangka pendant is understood to support the practitioner's contemplation of impermanence and the aspiration for liberation. It serves as a daily reminder that all conditioned phenomena are transient and that wisdom and liberation are the true goals. As a portable sacred image, the pendant allows one to align with this teaching throughout the day—fostering a continuous connection to the Dharma of impermanence and the path to liberation.
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