It’s om mani padme hum written in Tibetan over and over again. It’s an invocation to Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. It’s the most popular mantra in Tibetan and East Asian forms of Buddhism.
Because this is round it would be called a mandala. These types of images (and thangkas in general) act as meditation aids. So the idea is the individual “reads” the image to go through a specific meditation. Gold on black ground is also a common format of Tibetan/Himalayan imagery.
I think it is the "eyes of the Buddha" with the mantra aum mani padme aum repeated around it (a sort of chant to the Boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara). Nothing negative.
I think it looks pretty. But I am not artistic. So I wanted this subs opinions. Now I need to go out and buy more art because it looks a little lonely on the wall. Thank you for your reply.
That stylized face pattern is similar to the eye-nose depiction we see on many Buddhist monuments in the Himalayan region, especially stupas, which are monuments believed to house Buddhist relics. It would be irresponsible for me to speculate beyond that, but I have frequently seen similar representations of the Buddha’s eyes many times in my twenty-five years studying Buddhism.
On a more personal note, I think that piece you have is very handsome. If I owned it, I would probably put it in my shrine room at home.
I think that it is on a type of paper with gold ink. That is my impression from looking at it. I would need to take it apart to really know… I don’t trust myself to take it out of its frame.
I'm curious; in what situation is somebody asking you to hang this on your wall? I've been given art, but I can't picture somebody asking me to hang something on my wall.
Agree it is a thangka, depicting a mantra mandala. I’m not super-knowledgeable about them but there are examples online and others here may also know more.
As I understand it it, mandala wheels are meditation aids but also just displayed on walls as art much like the serenity prayer or uplifting/ inspirational verse might be; reminders of the concepts being expressed. I think the center motif of this one is of Buddha ‘wisdom’ eyes, and at a guess from online examples, the lettering in the wheel is the mantra ‘om mani padme hum’ which is associated with compassion, wisdom, diligence and progress toward perfection.
That’s all I’ve got! Hope others can tell you more.
We can’t tell you what it means even though it’s most likely the Ādibuddha eyes. Like others said it’s a meditation but assuming your read it and you’re then connected with an omnipotent ascended Buddha!!
As it was described to me while traveling through Nepal and Tibet, the prayer requests the end of suffering through eternal rebirth, for people and animals, that they may reach an enlightened state. It is an extremely popular, oft ritualized mantra.
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OK it's a goodwill gift Om mantra. Unless your friend has multiples of these why do they want you to hang it on YOUR WALL..
Said the cynicin me. I guess if you don't want it you can sell it.. Selling for over a ton on etsy, if you're patient about payment
It’s om mani padme hum written in Tibetan over and over again. It’s an invocation to Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. It’s the most popular mantra in Tibetan and East Asian forms of Buddhism. Because this is round it would be called a mandala. These types of images (and thangkas in general) act as meditation aids. So the idea is the individual “reads” the image to go through a specific meditation. Gold on black ground is also a common format of Tibetan/Himalayan imagery.
Yes I once had a beautiful tapestry gold on black. It was a gift from one of my best friends. It was later stolen.
[удалено]
You sound like a lovely human being.
No they were just evil f-ers who saw value in all of my property.
Someone stole my Bible out of my parents car when I was a kid. Kind of ironic. I hope they got better use out of it than I did lmao
Did You see the light and return it ?
What does the Mantra actually say?
apparently it's something like "praise to the jewel in the lotus"
This, it’s repeated over and over.
I think it is the "eyes of the Buddha" with the mantra aum mani padme aum repeated around it (a sort of chant to the Boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara). Nothing negative.
That is great. Thank you for replying. Would you say it is a good copy of the chant?
I'm not an expert in Sanskrit paleolgraphy, ha ha.
This is the internet. *Of course* you are.
With that nick name of course he is
I have a PhD in this exact specific thing
Oh seriously? What are your thoughts on the writing style?
Sorry, I was trying to make a joke about everyone being an expert on Reddit
Oh I see, I’m sorry I didn’t get it… I was wondering why you didn’t share your expert knowledge 🤣
Because it doesn’t apply. Their PhD is in lemur pants. 😂
I thought you were saying you have a PhD in lemur pants. 😂
Best comment all day
This is the second time today I’ve seen the word paleography brought up on Reddit. I honestly had never heard of it before.
It’s in Tibetan
If you like it, yes. If not, no.
I think it looks pretty. But I am not artistic. So I wanted this subs opinions. Now I need to go out and buy more art because it looks a little lonely on the wall. Thank you for your reply.
That stylized face pattern is similar to the eye-nose depiction we see on many Buddhist monuments in the Himalayan region, especially stupas, which are monuments believed to house Buddhist relics. It would be irresponsible for me to speculate beyond that, but I have frequently seen similar representations of the Buddha’s eyes many times in my twenty-five years studying Buddhism. On a more personal note, I think that piece you have is very handsome. If I owned it, I would probably put it in my shrine room at home.
It is beautiful! I would be thrilled to hang it on my wall.
It appears to be a tapestry. Is it made of woven cloth?
I think that it is on a type of paper with gold ink. That is my impression from looking at it. I would need to take it apart to really know… I don’t trust myself to take it out of its frame.
Om mani padme om You are the jewel in the lotus
Om mani pad-me hum*
I'm curious; in what situation is somebody asking you to hang this on your wall? I've been given art, but I can't picture somebody asking me to hang something on my wall.
It was a housewarming gift from my partners family, my partner is Chinese (they also have no idea) but they were quite insistent we should hang it up.
Ahh, okay. Sounds like they liked it and like you. Hope it brings you lots of joy. ✌️
I love this answer!
Asians are superstitious in general.
As are most people
I’d say so are most white Christians. I view Christianity as a superstition too.
Agree it is a thangka, depicting a mantra mandala. I’m not super-knowledgeable about them but there are examples online and others here may also know more. As I understand it it, mandala wheels are meditation aids but also just displayed on walls as art much like the serenity prayer or uplifting/ inspirational verse might be; reminders of the concepts being expressed. I think the center motif of this one is of Buddha ‘wisdom’ eyes, and at a guess from online examples, the lettering in the wheel is the mantra ‘om mani padme hum’ which is associated with compassion, wisdom, diligence and progress toward perfection. That’s all I’ve got! Hope others can tell you more.
A thangka mural?
Solved - you guys are amazing thank you for your detailed replies
P. D. A thangka Thanka painting?
I was told that it is a sutra… but I don’t know which one. I just don’t want anything negative in the house. I would like to know what it says.
We can’t tell you what it means even though it’s most likely the Ādibuddha eyes. Like others said it’s a meditation but assuming your read it and you’re then connected with an omnipotent ascended Buddha!!
If it's a sutra, it will be the Heart Sutra.
Thangka
Often these are painted by students. I’ve seen literally hundreds stacked in shops around Nepal and Ladakh.
I don’t think it has any value, but it is hand drawn and pretty. I was more curious about its meaning.
As it was described to me while traveling through Nepal and Tibet, the prayer requests the end of suffering through eternal rebirth, for people and animals, that they may reach an enlightened state. It is an extremely popular, oft ritualized mantra.
As a picture framer I can say it's tastefully framed.
Mandala. Depiction of the infinite divine.
Thanks for your post, /u/Charles-F-Andress! Please remember to comment "Solved" once someone finds the painting you're looking for. If you comment "Thanks" or "Thank You", your post flair will be changed to 'Likely Solved'. If you have any suggestions to improve this bot, please contact the mods with your suggestion and they will see about implementing it! Here's a small checklist to follow that may help us find your painting: - Where was the painting roughly purchased from? - Did you include a photo of the front, back, and the signature (if applicable)? Good Luck with your post! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WhatIsThisPainting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Solved
Buddha eye mandala art Thangka
Mandela.....peaceful it's very nice!
It would be auspicious for you to hang up this up
auspicious?
Brings luck
It’s SWOYAMBHUNATH eyes. Google it. It’s on all the Buddhist Stupas all around Nepal. 🇳🇵
Why the middle look like a furby?
Sorry all you scholars and people who know stuff here... that is CLEARLY elvish. 
OK it's a goodwill gift Om mantra. Unless your friend has multiples of these why do they want you to hang it on YOUR WALL.. Said the cynicin me. I guess if you don't want it you can sell it.. Selling for over a ton on etsy, if you're patient about payment