Mahakala, Palden Lhamo Tibetan Buddhist Handmade Brocade Thangka

This Mahakala Buddha thangka is 34 inches long and 20 inches wide. This thangka is made from brocade material. This Mahakala thangka was handmade in Nepal.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Mahakala is one of the fierce forms of Avalokitesvara (Chenrezig). In Sanskrit, the name Mahakala means, "the great black one," and Mahakala is typically painted in black or dark purple to represent the absence of color or the absorption of all color. Mahakala can also mean, "lord of the tent."

Mahakala is the protector of the faith and governs the movement of time, and he is a wrathful deity. Thangkas and paintings of Mahakala depict either two, four, or six arms. The two-armed Mahakala, as shown here, is most popular in Nepalese Buddhism. Mahakala is a protector of religious law, and his role is to help you stay on the path to enlightenment in spite of the obstacles. Mahakala looks scary, but he functions like a guardian angel and his fierce looks are only there to protect you. Mahakala is also capable of entering human¡¯s bodies to cure disease. The Mahakala Tantra describes the rituals and acts that make up Mahakala's puja. The mantra of Mahakala is "Hum Hum Mahakala praside praside Hrim Hrim Svaha." Mahakala is one of the most popular Tibetan deities, but the rituals associated with him are only known to a few monks who have been taught these rituals.