Tsakli of Mahakaruna and others are used in an empowerment ceremony
recorded in The Secret Visions of the Fifth Dalai Lama.

Tsakli Paintings are used in Tibetan rituals and empowerment ceremonies as visualization aids or as a substitute for the object depicted. They can be simply held up during a ritual or placed on the altar with other items and changed gradually over several days of teachings.

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Note: We will be on vacation from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3, 2008. Any orders placed after Nov. 21 will be sent when we return.

		1. Set of Cloth Initiation Tsakli. 6 paintings, each 4" x 3 1/4" (8 x 10 cm.) 19th Century Tibet, possible older. Lamas, fierce protectors and benign deities for a practicioner's initiation. Fine paintings in vegetable colors on thick, sized canvas with an an explication in Tibetan script on the back. $500.
		2. Set of Tantric Tsakli Arranged as a Banner. 8 cards, each 4" x 3 1/4". 19th Century Tibet. Painted on cloth backed with mulburry paper, numbered and identified on the back. The paintings show tantric deities and magicians to be summoned in an initiation ceremony. Hung on a string by leather tabs with hand sewn cloth banners below. $450.
		3. Initiation Tsakli Set. Tibet, 19th Century. 5 paintings on cloth of some of the lamas and benign deities and consorts appealed to in an initiation. Vegetable colors on sized canvas. Each 4" x 3 1/4" (8 x 10 cm.) $225.
		4. Complete Set of 20 Initiation Cards. Tibet, 19th or early 20th Century. Stiff mulberry paper. Each 4 1/4" x 3 1/2". Numbered one through twenty with fine paintings in bright colors -- fine writing on the back. The first card, of the Buddha, has a lot of wear; it was probably the most popular card. $650.
		5. Bodhisattva Tsakli Set. Tibet, 19th Century. Stiff mulberry paper. 12 cards, each 4 1/4" x 5". $850.
		6. Lion-Headed Deity. Tibet, 19th Century. On a mulberry paper card, measuring 4" (10 cm.) by 4 7/8" (12 cm.) Initiation card showing a diety with a lion head and lion skin around the waist, holding out a cup in one hand. The inscription on the back, written in the U-med Tibetan script, invokes liberation.
		7. Long Banner with Buddhas, Lamas and Teachers. Tibet, 19th Century. 16 paintings on cloth over stiff mulberry paper cards, each 3 1/2" x 4". $850.
		8. Auspicious Goddess. Tibet, 19th Century. Painted on cloth, 3 1/2" (9 cm.) square. One of the eight auspicious goddesses holding a banner in one hand and in the other the mirror that represents the Truth Body of the Buddha. She rides a horse and wears a flower crown; there is a small hole near one of the flowers. The back is not inscribed. $65.
		9. Set of Gods, Lamas, Thrones, and Entertainments . Tibet, 19th Century. 50 cards, each approx. 4" x 4 1/2" (10 cm x 11.5 cm) on stiff layers of mulberry paper. Each card dedicated to a different aspect of the initiate's life. $850.
		10. Mahakala Tsakli. Tibet, 19th Century. On cloth, 3 1/4" x 3 3/4" (8.2 cm x 9.5 cm). Very fine painting of Mahakala, surrounded by flames, dancing on two corpses (symbolizing the death of negativity) and holding his consort Vajravarahi. His crown is painted with gold paint. $145.
		11. Victory Tsakli. Tibet. 3 3/4" x 4" (9 cm x 10 cm). The head of a makara on a stand with billowing scarf on a flower covered hillside with clouds. The inscription on the back reads "Until samsara is emptied and the four demons are conquored, may the deep teachings of the Buddha bear the undying standard of victory." Painted on a mulberry paper card. $65.
		12. Ritual Tsakli Set. Tibet. 10 cards showing a selection of ritual objects. Painted on stiff mulberry paper, each 4 1/4" x 3 3/4" (10.8 cm x 9.5 cm). $145.
		13. Mantra Tsakli. Tibet. Mulberry paper card. Initiation card with the mantra of Chenresig, "Om Mane Padme Hum". The inscription on the back invokes compassion. 3 1/4" x 3 1/2" (8.2 cm x 9 cm). $45.
		14. Lama Tsakli. Tibet. Paper, showing a seated lama holding a book, his hands in the teaching mudra. With an inscription on the back. Very fine painting. 3 1/4" x 3 3/4" (8.2 cm x 9.5 cm). SOLD.
		15. Royal Mother Tsakli. Tibet. Paper. The Buddha and three female deities identified in the inscription on the back as Royal Mothers or Princesses. 3 1/4" x 3 3/4" (8.2 cm x 9.5 cm). $65.
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