Milarepa Thangkas: Hand-Painted Paintings of Tibet’s Yogi-Poet

Milarepa (c. 1052–1135) is Tibet’s best-loved yogi and poet. He is remembered for his years of hard practice in mountain caves and for the songs he sang to his students. Our Milarepa thangkas are painted by hand in Boudha, Kathmandu, from $80 for a small painting to $325 for a larger one. He belongs to the Kagyu lineage, which you can read about in our guide to the primordial Buddhas and lineage masters. If you would like a different size or background, commission a custom thangka.

The story behind the painting

Milarepa began his life in hardship. He later studied under the translator Marpa and spent years in solitary retreat. Tradition says he lived on nettles in the mountains, which turned his skin green, and many thangkas show this. He is called Repa, “the cotton-clad,” because he kept warm through inner heat practice and wore only a thin cotton cloth. His life is the most famous example in Tibetan Buddhism of what sustained effort can do in one lifetime, and his songs are still read today.

What the artist paints

  • Hand raised to the ear. It signals that he is singing, and it recalls the spontaneous songs he gave as teachings.
  • Simple white cotton cloth. It reflects his renunciation and his life as a yogi, not a monastic.
  • Meditation posture. He sits on a mat or a cave floor, often with a cup or a plain background that shows his austerity.
  • Landscape and lotus. Some paintings place him in a cave or among mountains, which fits his life in retreat.

Customers choose Milarepa as a reminder of perseverance in their practice. A thangka supports reflection and does not promise outcomes.

Pick by size and budget

  • $80 and under $200. These are small paintings suited to a desk, a shelf or a small altar. Good for a first thangka or a gift.
  • About $300. The 15" × 20" and the Jetsun Milarepa painting sit comfortably above a shrine or in a meditation room.
  • Around $325. The 17.5" × 22.5" is the largest in this collection and works as a wall piece.
  • Something else. Tell us the size, background colour or brocade you want and we will quote a painting made to order. See the commission page.

Why buy from Buddha’s Art of Healing

Brocade and display

A silk brocade border protects the painting and finishes it. You can hang a thangka without one, but a brocade border makes it last longer. Read more in our article on the importance of brocade, and our altar setup guide shows where to hang it.

Build a lineage set

Milarepa hangs naturally alongside the Kagyu masters. See the Karmapa thangkas, the Vajradhara thangkas and the Guru Rinpoche thangkas.

FAQs for Milarepa Thangkas: Hand-Painted Paintings of Tibet’s Yogi-Poet

Who was Milarepa?

Milarepa was an 11th-century Tibetan yogi, poet and saint of the Kagyu lineage. He studied under Marpa and is remembered for his years of retreat and his songs.

Why is Milarepa painted with his hand to his ear?

The gesture shows he is singing. It recalls the songs of realization he gave as spontaneous teachings.

Why does Milarepa have green skin in some paintings?

Tradition says he lived on nettles during his retreat, and artists often paint his skin with a green tint to show it.

Are your Milarepa thangkas hand-painted?

Yes. Each is painted by hand in Nepal. They are not prints.

Can I hang a thangka without brocade?

Yes, but brocade gives the painting a finished look and extra protection.

Can I order a custom size or a different pose?

Yes. Send your request through the commission page or message us on WhatsApp.

Closing call to action

Found your Milarepa? Add it to your cart. If you want a different size, or would like to see more photos first, message us on WhatsApp.

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