Bhutanese gilt bronze sculpture of Buddha Vajrasattva, 16th century, Dongkarla Künzang Chöling, Paro, Bhutan

Bhutanese art is similar to the art of Tibet. The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. Vajrasattva ( Tibetan: Dorje Sempa Japanese: Kongōsatta Chinese: 金剛薩埵 Jīn gāng sà duǒ is a Bodhisattva in the Mahayana Paro ( Dzongkha: dz སྤ་རོ་རྫོང་ཁག is the name of a district ( Both are based upon Vajrayana Buddhism, with its pantheon of divine beings. Vajrayana Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayana, Mantranaya, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and

The major orders of Buddhism in Bhutan are Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma. Drukpa (disambiguation The Drukpa ( Tib. འབྲུག་པ / ’brug pa) Druk ~ "dragon" pa ~ "person" — or Drukpa Kagyu The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism (the other three being the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug) The former is a branch of the Kagyu School and is known for paintings documenting the lineage of Buddhist masters and the 70 Je Khenpo (leaders of the Bhutanese monastic establishment). The Kagyu or Kagyupa school also known as the " Oral Lineage " or Whispered Transmission school is one of four main schools of Himalayan The Je Khenpo ( formerly called the Dharma Raj by orientalists is the title given to the senior religious hierarch of Bhutan. The Nyingma order is known for images of Padmasambhava, who is credited with introducing Buddhism into Bhutan in the 7th century. The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism (the other three being the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug) Padmasambhava () The Lotus Born, is said to have transmitted Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet in the 8th century. According to legend, Padmasambhava hid sacred treasures for future Buddhist masters, especially Pema Lingpa, to find. Padmasambhava () The Lotus Born, is said to have transmitted Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet in the 8th century. Pema Lingpa or Padma Lingpa ( (1450-1521 was a famous Saint and Siddha of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. The treasure finders (tertön) are also frequent subjects of Nyingma art. Terma are key Tibetan Buddhist and Bön teachings originally Esoterically secreted hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his Terma are key Tibetan Buddhist and Bön teachings originally Esoterically secreted hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism (the other three being the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug)

Each divine being is assigned special shapes, colors, and/or identifying objects, such as lotus, conch-shell, thunderbolt, and begging bowl. All sacred images are made to exact specifications that have remained remarkably unchanged for centuries.

Bhutanese art is particularly rich in bronzes of different kinds that are collectively known by the name Kham-so (made in Kham) even though they are made in Bhutan, because the technique of making them was originally imported from the eastern province of Tibet called Kham. For other meanings see Kham (disambiguation. KHAM (995 FM) is a commercial Radio station that is licensed to serve the Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European For other meanings see Kham (disambiguation. KHAM (995 FM) is a commercial Radio station that is licensed to serve the Wall paintings and sculptures, in these regions, are formulated on the principal ageless ideals of Buddhist art forms. Even though their emphasis on detail is derived from Tibetan models, their origins can be discerned easily, despite the profusely embroidered garments and glittering ornaments with which these figures are lavishly covered. In the grotesque world of demons, the artists apparently had a greater freedom of action than when modeling images of divine beings.

Traditional Bhutanese arts

In Bhutan, the traditional arts are known as zorig chusum (zo = the ability to make; rig = science or craft; chusum = thirteen). These practices have been gradually developed through the centuries, often passed down through families with long-standing relations to a particular craft. These traditional crafts represent hundreds of years of knowledge and ability that has been passed down through generations.

The great 15th century treasure finder (tertön), Pema Lingpa is traditionally credited with introducing the arts into Bhutan. Terma are key Tibetan Buddhist and Bön teachings originally Esoterically secreted hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his Terma are key Tibetan Buddhist and Bön teachings originally Esoterically secreted hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his Pema Lingpa or Padma Lingpa ( (1450-1521 was a famous Saint and Siddha of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1680, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal ordered the establishment of the school for instruction in the 13 traditional arts. Although the skills existed much earlier, it is believed that the zorig chusum was first formally categorized during the rule of Tenzin Rabgye (1680-1694), the 4th Druk Desi (secular ruler). Tenzin Rabgye (1638-1696 was the fourth Druk Desi (secular ruler of Bhutan) who ruled from 1680 to 1694 Bhutan was founded and unified as a country by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the mid-1600s The thirteen traditional arts are:

• Dezo - Paper Making: Handmade paper made mainly from the Daphne plant and gum from a creeper root. Daphne is a genus of between 50-95 Species of Deciduous and Evergreen Shrubs in the Plant family Thymelaeaceae Quisqualis indica also known as the Chinese honeysuckle or Rangoon Creeper is a Creeper with red flower clusters and is found in Asia.
• Dozo - Stonework: Stone arts used in the construction of stone pools and the outer walls of dzongs, goenpa (monasteries), stupas, and some other buildings. Dzong architecture (from Tibetan རྫོང་ Wylie rDzong) is a distinctive type of fortress architecture found in the former and present A stupa (from Sanskrit and Pāli: m स्तूप stūpa, literally meaning "heap" is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist
• Garzo - Blacksmithing: The manufacture of iron goods, such as farm tools, knives, swords, and utensils.
• Jinzo - Clay arts: The making of religious statues and ritual objects, pottery and the construction of buildings using mortar, plaster, and rammed earth.
• Lhazo - Painting: From the images on thangkas (religious wall hangings), walls paintings, and statues to the decorations on furniture and window-frames.
• Lugzo - Bronze casting: Production of bronze roof-crests, statues, bells, and ritual instruments, in addition to jewelry and household items using sand casting and lost-wax casting. Lost-wax casting, sometimes called by the French name of cire perdue, is the process by which a bronze is cast from an artist's sculpture in industrial uses the modern process Larger statues are made by repoussé. Repoussé (ʀəpuse)or repoussage ʀəpusaʒ is a Metalworking technique in which a Malleable Metal
• Parzo - Wood, slate, and stone carving: In wood, slate or stone, for making such items as printing blocks for religious texts, masks, furniture, altars, and the slate images adorning many shrines and altars.
• Shagzo - Woodturning: Making a variety of bowls, plates, cups, and other containers.
• Shingzo - Woodworking: Employed in the construction of dzongs and goenpa (monasteries)
• Thagzo - Weaving: The production of some of the most intricately woven fabrics produced in Asia. Dzong architecture (from Tibetan རྫོང་ Wylie rDzong) is a distinctive type of fortress architecture found in the former and present
• Trözo - Silver and Goldsmithing: Working in gold, silver, and copper to make jewelry, ritual objects, and utilitarian household items.
• Tshazo - Cane and Bamboo Work: The production of such varied items as bows and arrows, baskets, drinks containers, utensils, musical instruments, fences, and mats.
• Tshemazo – Needlework: Working with needle and thread to make clothes, boots, or the most intricate of appliqué thangkas (religious wall hangings). In its broadest sense an applique or appliqué is a smaller ornament or device applied to another surface

Characteristics of Bhutanese arts

Articles for everyday use are still fashioned today as they were centuries ago. Traditional artisanship is handed down from generation to generation. Bhutan's artisans are skilled workers in metals, wood and slate carving, and clay sculpture. Artifacts made of wood include bowls and dishes, some lined with silver. Elegant yet strong woven bamboo baskets, mats, hats, and quivers find both functional and decorative usage. Handmade paper is prepared from tree bark by a process passed down the ages.

Each region has its specialties: raw silk comes from eastern Bhutan, brocade from Lhuntshi (Kurtoe), woolen goods from Bumthang, bamboo wares from Kheng, woodwork from Tashi Yangtse, gold and silver work from Thimphu, and yak-hair products from the north or the Black Mountains. Bumthang is one of the 20 Dzongkhag (districts comprising Bhutan. The Kheng are an ethnic group of Bhutan, found primarily in the Zhemgang, Trongsa and Mongar districts of south central Bhutan Thimphu ( is the Capital of Bhutan, and also the name of the surrounding valley and Dzongkhag The Black Mountains is a Mountain range located in Bhutan.

Most Bhutanese art objects are produced for use of the Bhutanese themselves. Except for goldsmiths, silversmiths, and painters, artisans are peasants who produce these articles and fabrics in their spare time, with the surplus production being sold. Most products, particularly fabrics, are relatively expensive. In the highest qualities, every step of production is performed by hand, from dyeing hanks of thread or hacking down bamboo in the forest, to weaving or braiding the final product. The time spent in producing handicrafts is considerable and can involve as much as two years for some woven textiles. At the same time, many modern innovations are also used for less expensive items, especially modern dyes, and yarns - Bhutan must be one of the few places where hand-woven polyester garments can be bought. Polyester is a category of Polymers which contain the Ester Functional group in their main chain

Exhibitions

The Honolulu Academy of Arts spent several years developing and curating The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan exhibition. The Honolulu Academy of Arts was chartered in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke (Mrs Curator (from Latin cura care means manager overseer. A curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution (e Art exhibitions are traditionally the space in which Art objects (in the most general sense meet an Audience. ^[1][2] The February - May 2008 exhibition in Honolulu will travel in 2008 and 2009 to locations around the world including New York's Rubin Museum of Art^[3] and San Francisco's Asian Art Museum. The Rubin Museum of Art (RMA is a museum dedicated to the collection display and preservation of the art of the Himalayas and surrounding regions ^[4]

Selected examples of Bhutanese art

Bhutanese thanka of Mt. Meru and the Buddhist Universe, 19th century, Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa, Bhutan

Painted Bhutanese Medicine Buddha mandala with the goddess Prajnaparamita in center, 19th century, Rubin Museum of Art

Bhutanese Drukpa applique Buddhist lineage thanka with Shakyamuni Buddha in center, 19th century, Rubin Museum of Art

Contemporary hand woven Bhutanese fabrics, Bumthang District

See also

• Buddhism in Bhutan
• Dzong architecture
• Music of Bhutan
• Vajrayana Buddhism
• Eastern art history

Art and the youth of Bhutan

References

• Bartholomew, Terese Tse, The Art of Bhutan, Orientations, Vol. 39, No. 1, Jan. /Feb. 2008, 38-44.
• Bartholomew, Terese Tse, John Johnston and Stephen Little, The dragon's gift, the sacred arts of Bhutan, Chicago, Serindia Publications, 2008.
• Mehra, Girish N. , Bhutan, Land of the Peaceful Dragon, Delhi, Vikas Publishing House, 1974.
• Singh, Madanjeet, Himalayan Art, wall-painting and sculpture in Iadakh, Lahaul and Spiti, the Siwalik Ranges, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan, New York, Macmillan, 1971.