Drawing The Offerings Of The Five Senses: Tibetan Buddhist Art Workshop With Carmen Mensink

USC-US CHINA INSTITUTE

After becoming a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, Carmen Mensink
got hooked by the ancient tradition and craft of Tibetan thangka painting.

CALIFORNIA---The Offerings of the Five Senses are the “entrance” of a thangka, as these offerings are depicted in front of the Buddha: a mirror (to see); a musical instrument (to hear); incense or perfume (to smell); some fruit (to taste) and a silken scarf (to touch). Thangkas are scroll paintings of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition that illuminate the teachings of enlightened beings and serve as an aid to spiritual development.  They overflow with symbolism and contain figures created in harmony with the guidelines of Buddhist scriptures. [link]