Thanka is a rectangular Tibetan painting on cotton with embroidery, usually depicting a Buddhist (Trantric) deity, famous scene or mandala of some sort. The thanka is not a flat creation like an oil painting or acrylic painting. Rather, it consists of a picture panel which is painted or embroidered, over which a textile is mounted, and then overwhich is laid a cover, usually silk. Generally, thankas last a very long time and retain much of their luster, but because of their delicate nature, they have to be kept in dry places where moisture won't affect the quality of the silk. It is sometimes called a scroll-painting.

These thanka served as important teaching tools depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas, other deities and bodhisattvas. One popular subject is The Wheel of Life, which is a visual representation of the Abhidharma teachings (Art of Enlightenment). These Tibetan religious paintings offer a beautiful manifestation of the divine, being both visually and mentally stimulating.

Bodhisattva : A near-Buddha who renounces the opportunity to attain nirvana in order to aid humankind.

Mandala : Geometrical and astrological representation of the world.

Kala Chakra Mandala: "Time-Wheel" or "Time Cycle".

Shakyamuni : Another name for Gautama Buddha.

Rimpoche: Honorific title which literally means 'precious one', often bestowed on Buddhist abbots.

Wheel of Life : Held by Mara, the god of death. The wheel's concentric circles show a stage of existence, those who are chained to the cycles of existence, the forces which keep the wheel turning or the desires which keep humankind chained to the cycle.