Vintage Thangboche Monastery Temple Print on Lokta Paper

Several of these online are printed equally unevenly, but the significance of the images on this wood block print remains the same.
 
Based on our online research, in the center stupa sits Ushnishavijaya, a Buddhist deity with three faces and eight arms, a disciple just below him. Along the top are three Bodhisattvas – Manjushri (wisdom) on the left, Amitayus (boundless life) in the center, and Vajrapani (protector) on the right. Beneath them, sits the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshware (mercy). To his left and right are symbols representing mystic integration and wisdom. At the bottom are auspicious animals – an elephant, goats, herons – fruits, jewels, and on the far right an older man relaxing. 
 
We read that these prints are displayed to attract all that is good, although we suspect they are actually meant to be a meditation or prayer guide, with mantras surrounding the central figures.
 
The woodblock has been identified as coming from the Thangboche monastery in Solo Kumbu, northeastern Nepal. 
 
This piece is printing on very lightweight lokta paper, handmade from the bark of bushes in Nepal. It has creases, which may be ironed out with a cloth between the print and the iron, or simply pressed flat for some time. It may be delivered folded. 
 
H 18 3/4” x L 17”
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.