Refuge Tree Thangka | Chokshing and Buddhist Lineage Art

Refuge Tree Thangkas are intricate Tibetan Buddhist paintings that depict a sacred assembly of enlightened beings, lineage masters, meditational deities, Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors gathered within a single field of refuge.

Also known in Tibetan Buddhist art as Chokshing Thangkas, these paintings visually represent the lineage, teachings, and enlightened beings that practitioners turn to for refuge and guidance.

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Symbolism of Refuge Tree Thangka

The tree provides a powerful visual metaphor of Buddhist lineage and transmission. Its roots, trunk, branches, and surrounding field can be contemplated as an interconnected expression of teacher, teaching, practice, realization, and enlightened activity.

The central figure represents the principal focus of the particular refuge assembly, while the surrounding figures express the wider network of teachings and beings connected to the lineage.

Refuge Tree Thangka and Chokshing Thangka

"Refuge Tree Thangka" is the commonly used English term for this type of sacred Buddhist painting, while "Chokshing Thangka" refers to the Tibetan Buddhist concept of a field of accumulation or merit field.

You may also encounter related terms such as refuge tree painting, chokshing, chokshing thangka, field of accumulation thangka, merit field thangka, Buddhist refuge tree, and Tibetan Buddhist refuge tree

These terms can overlap, but the exact composition and figures depend on the Buddhist lineage, practice tradition, and purpose of the particular painting.

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