Thangka is a scroll painting created in Tibetan script on bright satin and hung as an offering on a religious scroll. Thangka is a unique type of art in Tibetan culture, the subject matter of which includes Tibetan history, politics, culture, and societal life. It can be said that it is a sort of encyclopedia of the Tibetan culture, as well as a precious intangible cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.

The production of Thangka is a complicated process that necessitates a great attention to detail. It must be done in accordance with the teachings of the sutras, including the ritual that starts before the painting even begins—the manufacturing of the canvas, the drafts, and application of color, the finalization of the designs, the addition of gold and silver, the opening, the stitching, hanging, and the blessing of the work. Every step must be performed with the utmost care. If even one stroke is incorrect, all one's efforts will be wasted.

The following are some admirable Thangka works:

Picture of Avalokitesvara

Picture of 18 Arhats

Yamantaka by Dampa Rabten in 1987: now collected by the National Museum

Sixth Panchen Lama's Image by Dampa Rabten

Picture of Sakyamuni

White Tara (three Buddhas of longevity) by Tenzin Phuntsog in 2014

The tears from Avalokitesvara's left eye are changing into White Tara, her incarnation. Avalokitesvara can be changed into 21 different incarnations, in which Green Tara and White Tara are the most well-known ones. White Tara, Amitayus and Ushnishavijaya are considered as the "three Buddhas of longevity" in Tibet.