Samatha Meditation

Samatha Meditation Thangka Collection – Traditional Calm Abiding Meditation Art

Samatha Meditation is believed to be the antecedent to the Vipassana meditation. The former is the clearing of the mind and centering the attention whilst the latter is the meditation of insights. The Samatha meditation uses a specific visualization thangka for practice wherein there is a pictorial depiction of the nine progressive stages of mental development, symbolized through a monk, an elephant, a monkey, and other subtle imagery.

Samatha (Tibetan: Shine) means “calm abiding” — a foundational Buddhist meditation technique aimed at developing deep concentration and mental stability. The traditional Samatha meditation thangka depicts a serene meditator (often a monk or yogi) seated on a lotus, accompanied by symbolic animals:

• Elephant: Represents the mind in its natural strength and purity but initially wild and unruly.

• Monkey: Symbolizes the distracted, restless mind.

• Rabbit: Represents subtle dullness or lethargy during meditation.

The sequence shows the meditator’s mind gradually becoming calm and focused, as the elephant and monkey become tamed and the rabbit disappears, illustrating the stages of mental training toward single-pointed concentration.

Why Choose a Samatha Meditation Thangka?

• Visual Support for Meditation: These thangkas provide a detailed visual guide for meditators to understand and deepen their Samatha practice.

• Authentic Iconography: Hand-painted with precise symbolism based on traditional Tibetan Buddhist texts.

• Ideal for Practice Spaces: Perfect for shrine rooms, meditation centers, and personal altars focused on concentration practices.

• Artistic Quality: Painted with natural stone pigments and available in traditional Karma Gadri style or with subtle color palettes to promote calm.

By meditating on this thangka, practitioners visualize the gradual calming of the mind, recognize distractions (monkey) and dullness (rabbit), and cultivate steadfast mental focus (elephant). This thangka acts as a sacred reminder and meditation aid to develop Samatha and progress toward deeper insight.

What Makes Our Samatha Meditation Thangkas Ideal for Practice?

Each thangka in this collection is:

• Hand-painted on authentic cotton canvas using natural stone pigments from Lhasa, Tibet

• Available in Karma Gadri minimalistic style to reduce distractions during meditation

• Offered in small to medium sizes, perfect for shrine rooms, travel altars, or private practice corners

• Includes free traditional silk brocade and worldwide shipping