blog
WISDOM WEDNESDAY
“Weekly ritual to contemplate Buddhist teaching”
Use this boat of a human body
To cross the wide river of suffering
Such a boat will later be hard to find
So don’t go back to sleep now, you fool!
The way of the bodhisattva
WISDOM WEDNESDAY
“Weekly ritual to contemplate Buddhist teaching”
Give up all negative action
Always act perfectly in virtue
Develop complete mastery of your own mind
This is the teaching of Buddha.
Buddha Sakyamuni
Buddha
Happiness for others project 20/8/11
I would like to announce and share with you a project that I am trying to get underway for the Tibetan people in the village of Temangha Kham. This is a project that is close to my heart and one that I hope can bring genuine helpfulness to those people there.
I have been waiting now three months for a visa to Tibet, my homeland. I remain hopeful that one day soon I will get a call saying that it has been granted. Once there I will investigate more thoroughly the real need of the monastery and people and let you all know how it is.
For a little more information go to the happiness for others page on this website.
Villagekids
Geting Away 09/08/11
Last week we decided to get away, so of we went on a 6 hr drive to visit the south coast of NSW, and catch up with family and friends this is what I got up to
Lots of walking the beach with my kids
A challenging Yoga class taught by my mother in law Suzie
Ganapuja with the Dzogchen community Of Namgalgar
Helping my friend Rabje build his retreat hut on the mountain at Namgalgar Tilba.
Hanging out with friends in Orbost and attending a community food swap group.
Discovering new coves, walks, beaches, and bike paths along the Nsw/ Vic coastline.
Now it’s back to Thangka making and waiting for news on my visa to Tibet.
Beach walk
with friends
Chimme in the sky !!!
Making Tormas 23.7.11
The last couple of days I have been making Tibetan butter sculptures or Tormas at our neighbouring Buddhist centre (SIBA) with Ven Jampal
The practice of offering Tormas is an important aspect in the generation of merit they are used on shrines and as offerings in special ceremonies.
These particular Tormas are ritual offerings and will be used in the Morning for the daily Green Tara Puja and during Mahakala rituals. The practice of offering Tormas is an important aspect in the generation of merit and for removal of obstacles.
These Tormas were made from butter like substance and were a simple version, in the past I have made more elaborate Tormas with many levels, colours and flower petals.
Within the traditional guidelines the Torma making process can be very creative and satisfying. I enjoy the chance of practicing the skills I acquired years ago as a monk at Chokling monastery, as well as spending time with Sangha at SIBA.
Making Tormas
with Ven Jampal
Mandarava Thangka 11.07.11
The Dzogchen Community of Australia has just given me a commission for an appliqué Thangka of the Goddess Mandarava. To be offered to Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche in April next year, for his long life. Mandarava has much significance to Rinpoche; he attributes his continuing life and health to her and the practice. What a blessing for me to make this for such a special teacher. I have started the preliminary stage for this thangka, which is deciding on the size, drawing, colour and detail of the deity and surrounding landscape. Mandarava is an uncommon Thangka to make. This is exciting and I will endeavour to show the progress of this Thangka as I go,
Mandarava
This week I have been blessed with some fantastic Buddhist inspiration.
My life has been touched by the wisdom and presence of the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. I honestly can’t get enough of his clear teachings. I have copies of his books all over the place and create moments in my life everyday to read and reflect on his words. My favourite place is waiting for my daughter’s school bus in the afternoons. So when a copy of the movie (Brilliant Moon) came in to my hands a few days ago.
Brilliant Moon
I was very happy and have manage to watch it 3 times so far, it’s a Beautiful documentary on his life and teachings and stirs my heart, Check it out some time!
Where to see my Thangkas in June
Namgyalar Dzogchen community located in Tilba NSW
Kagyu Evam located in Melbourne
Martiapa Centre Located in Healsville Vic
SIBA Buddhist Retreat Centre Located in East Gippsland Vic
Tibetan Sacred Art training centre Located Chauntra India
A Special Time
It has been incredibly full and joyous six weeks. We welcomed our baby Chimme Sonam in to the world on 20 may.
Baby Chimme
Our days since have been filled with baby gazing and snuggling down for the winter in our new routine.
As for thangkas I did managed to fit in some restoration work on the brocade of an antique thangka. My work was also displayed on the Jamchen Buddhist centres stall during HH Dalai lama’s teaching in Melbourne. And just yesterday I got around to placing an order of silk and brocade with my supplier in Varanasi.
Silk
Hi everyone Tashi Delek
This is my first real blog attempt, which I have put of for a long time on account of my crappy English, which might put some of you off… so, sorry. Here in this blog space, I will not only write about the world of Applique Thangka and its related subjects, but about my hopes and dreams, family, teachers, inspiration and travels, and what ever else i feel like.
Urgyen making momos
On that note, I would like to acknowledge Two wonderful teachers Chogyal Namkhai Norbu and Traleg Rinpoche whos centres have allowed me to display my art recently… Its really wonderful.
Namkhi Norbu Rinpoche