In the visual and spiritual system of Tibetan Buddhism, a Thangka is never merely a painting. It is a sacred field of contemplation, a portable mandala, and a living support for practice.
This hand-painted Yellow Jambhala Five Wealth Deities Thangka represents a masterwork of the Regong (Rebkong) painting tradition, uniting profound Vajrayana wealth teachings with centuries-old artisanal discipline.
Centered on Yellow Jambhala, the principal deity of wealth and merit, this composition integrates the complete Five Wealth Deities (Five-Family Jambhala) system, rendered strictly according to tantric iconography and canonical measurement texts. It serves both as a contemplative aid for practitioners and as a visual embodiment of Tibetan Buddhist wisdom regarding wealth, generosity, and spiritual prosperity.
I. Core Theme: The Vajrayana View of Wealth as a Path
In Tibetan Buddhism, wealth is not regarded as a purely material pursuit. Instead, it is understood as a form of merit (punya)—a supportive condition that enables ethical living, spiritual practice, and compassionate action.
The Five Wealth Deities tradition reflects this philosophy. Their purpose is not to fuel greed, but to relieve poverty, remove anxiety, and stabilize the conditions necessary for spiritual cultivation. From a Vajrayana perspective, scarcity often gives rise to fear and attachment, which obstruct the path. Wealth, when guided by wisdom, becomes a skillful means.
Historically, this system traces back to the Indian deity Kubera, later assimilated into Buddhism as an aspect of Vaishravana (Vaiśravaṇa). Through centuries of transmission and localization in Tibet, it evolved into the Five-Family Wealth Deities system. By the Yuan dynasty, this belief had become deeply embedded in both monastic and lay communities as a protector of prosperity and continuity.
In this Thangka, the Five Deities are arranged according to the five directions and five elements, forming a complete cosmological order:
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Yellow Jambhala (Center · Earth) – Merit, stability, and foundational wealth
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Red Jambhala (South · Fire) – Relationships, attraction, and benefactors
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Green Jambhala (East · Wood) – Health, vitality, and career growth
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White Jambhala (West · Metal) – Wisdom, purification, and removal of obstacles
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Black Jambhala (North · Water) – Authority, protection, and subjugation of negativity
Together, they symbolize the fulfillment of the Five Blessings, harmonizing material sufficiency with inner balance.
II. Yellow Jambhala: The Union of Compassion and Wealth
At the heart of the composition sits Yellow Jambhala (Dzambhala Serpo), the foremost deity among the Five Wealth Deities. His iconography follows the Iconometric Scriptures and tantric ritual manuals with meticulous precision.
Physical Form and Expression
His radiant golden body represents the Earth element, symbolizing abundance that is stable, grounded, and inclusive. His exposed belly and rounded form are not signs of indulgence, but expressions of boundless generosity and compassion, capable of embracing the suffering of impoverished beings. The five-Buddha crown signifies the blessings of the Five Wisdom Buddhas.
Attributes and Sacred Symbols
In his right hand, he holds a wish-fulfilling jewel, representing the granting of legitimate material and spiritual needs. His left arm cradles a jewel-spitting mongoose, from whose mouth treasures continuously flow—an unmistakable teaching that generosity is the true source of wealth. His foot rests upon a white conch, symbolizing “entering the ocean to retrieve treasures,” or mastering the principles of wealth through wisdom.
Posture and Aura
Seated in a relaxed royal posture upon a lotus throne, Yellow Jambhala embodies both authority and accessibility. Behind him, a double halo appears: an inner ring of flames representing the destruction of obstacles, and an outer aureole symbolizing awakened radiance. Auspicious clouds and jeweled blossoms complete the sacred realm.
III. The Five Wealth Deities: A Complete Protective Network
Surrounding the central deity are the four directional Jambhalas, forming a fully integrated Vajrayana wealth mandala. This reflects the Tibetan Buddhist principle of “main deity with retinue”, where enlightened activity operates as a system rather than an isolated force.
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Red Jambhala supports harmonious relationships and social success
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Green Jambhala safeguards health, action, and professional advancement
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White Jambhala dissolves obstacles and enhances clarity and wisdom
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Black Jambhala protects authority, resources, and subdues negative forces
Additional protective figures, sacred animals, and offering elements appear throughout the composition. Dragons and guardian figures symbolize the safeguarding of wealth from harmful influences; offering heaps of jewels, fruits, and treasure vases express the practitioner’s attitude of cultivating merit. Mythical birds signify the subjugation of inner afflictions through insight—teaching that wealth must be guided by awareness.
IV. Regong Hand-Painting: The Discipline of Sacred Craft
This Thangka is a pure hand-painted Regong work, created through a six-stage process that integrates ritual discipline with extraordinary craftsmanship.
From the preparation of aged cotton canvas and repeated applications of hide glue and shell polishing, to the precise drafting based on canonical measurements; from the use of 108 natural mineral pigments—including cinnabar, lapis lazuli, malachite, and genuine gold—to multi-layer shading and traditional iron-line drawing; from extensive gilding with 24K gold to the final eye-opening (consecration) ritual, every stage reflects devotion and mastery.
In the Regong tradition, painting is itself a form of practice. Each stroke is a prayer, and each completed Thangka is regarded as a living vessel of spiritual intention—something no printed reproduction can replicate.
Conclusion: More Than a Wealth Thangka
This hand-painted Yellow Jambhala Five Wealth Deities Thangka is not a decorative symbol of fortune. It is a visual teaching on how wealth should be understood, cultivated, and transformed.
It reminds us that wealth should circulate, not stagnate;
that prosperity arises from generosity, not hoarding;
and that true abundance is grounded in inner stability and wisdom.
When placed within a space, this Thangka becomes more than art—it becomes a field of merit, a source of reflection, and a living expression of Tibetan Buddhist insight into wealth and life itself.
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