Thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist paintings on cotton, silk, canvas, usually despiciting Buddhist deities, scene, or mandala. Thangkas are traditionally kept unframed and rolled up when not display, mounted on a textile backing somewhat in the style of Chinese scroll paintings. Thangka perform several different functions. Images of deities can be used as teaching tools when depicting the life (or lives) of the Buddha, describing historical events concerning important Lamas, or retelling myths associated with other deities. Devotional images act as the centerpiece during a ritual or ceremony and are often used as mediums through which one can offer prayers or make requests. Overall, and perhaps most importantly, religious art is used as a meditation tool to help bring one further down the path to enlightenment.

Commonly referred to as the "wheel of life" this classical image from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition depicts the psychological states, or remain of existence, associated with the enlightened state. A powerful mirror for spiritual aspirants, the wheel of deluded existence is often painted to the left of Tibetan monastery doors.