Messages inspired by Buddhist Art
His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche had a deep artistic inclination from as far back as he could remember. As a child, Rinpoche could not stop staring with admiration at the thangkas and Buddha images in the Kalmyk temple in New Jersey, asking endless questions about them. It was highly unusual for a child to spend hours looking at old thangkas with such insatiable curiosity. None of the other Kalmyk children in his neighbourhood shared his interest; they preferred escaping the confines of the temple to play on the lawn outside.
The monks who witnessed Rinpoche’s fascination were not surprised that this child was later recognised as a Rinpoche, an incarnate lama. The monks explained that such behaviour was characteristic of a reincarnated lama, a tell-tale sign of the natural ripening of Dharma imprints from past lives. Rinpoche himself recalled feeling inexplicable faith upon encountering the sacred images as a child, despite not fully understanding the origin of his feelings. The enduring faith persisted despite his secular American upbringing and continued well into adulthood.
Given the scarcity of Buddha images in America at the time, Rinpoche resorted to drawing Buddha images, copying them from books and gifting them to friends for protection and blessings. It became a lifelong passion for Rinpoche to share Buddha images with others, making them available as pendants, statues, thangkas, and more. In particular, Rinpoche always ensured that the iconography of the images were accurate and followed authentic scriptural sources. This passion eventually led to the establishment of Kechara’s retail outlets.
Rinpoche often explained that the iconography of Buddhas is a roadmap to enlightenment, and frequently shared pictures of Buddha statues and thangkas with his students and friends. These sharings were sometimes accompanied by short Dharma messages or personal anecdotes. They also helped to cultivate the ‘eye’ for beautiful and accurate iconography among some of his students engaged in Buddhist art.
Here are some of the pictures and messages on Buddhist art that Rinpoche shared with us.
This teaching is part of the Tsem Rinpoche Wisdom Treasury – the collected works, writings and teachings of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche. To learn more about the project and how you can be a part of it, please click here.
Click on image to enlarge.
This stunning Hayagriva thangka is in my Aunt Matza’s shrine. I used to go to her house as a child to stare at him in fascination and electric interest.
Tsem Rinpoche
Click on image to enlarge.
He is the Hindu deity Brahma. He requested Lord Buddha to turn wheel of dharma first. We don’t worship him as he is a deva still but quite high.
Tsem Rinpoche
Click on image to enlarge
If we want to be one with Vajra Yogini and be close to Her and therefore come under Her blessings in this and all future lives, then we have to love Her more than the things in this life.
Tsem Rinpoche
Click on image to enlarge
I love the Buddha and the butterlamps… so nice.
Out of all the traditions of Buddhism, Tibet has such rich and abundant methods to make offerings to the Three Jewels. I like abundant offerings.
Tsem Rinpoche
Click on image to enlarge
This is the previous old oracle of Gaden Monastery. He came from Tibet and lived in Gaden South India. He took trance of several deities but primarily Dorje Shugden and Setrap. I was in awe of him and really appreciated his oracular abilities.
Tsem Rinpoche
Click on image to enlarge
This faded painting is a Sakya tradition of Vajra Yogini as the main focus in this thangka. The Lama on top is wearing a Sakya hat. There is another main Sakya yidam Hevajra. Then the Sakya protector such as Mahakala of the Doors below 16-armed Hevajra. Then at the bottom is very particular of Sakya to put Dzambala in the thangkas and you see Dorje Shugden at the bottom left in Sakya form which is riding on a horse. Dorje Shugden was prevalent in Sakya and also depicted as riding on a horse…
Tsem Rinpoche
Click on image to enlarge
What an unusual and very ‘crowded’ but nicely crowded thangka. I’ve never seen this configuration before. Left is Buddha Shakyamuni with the 16 Arhats. Centre is the sacred Gelug Guru Tree with presiding Dharma King Tsongkapa in the center. Then on the right you have the Eight Medicine Buddhas, Eight Taras that protects from fears and Vajra Yogini on top. Also the four directional guardians at the bottom. Beautiful and nicely done.
Tsem Rinpoche
Click on image to enlarge
As it says in the Vinaya Sutra by Lord Buddha, there are so many benefits to be a Buddhist monk or nun (ordained sangha). The benefits are so many and it even benefits seven generations of our family. By taking the monk or nun vows, the effect is that it blesses seven generations of our family according to Buddha. There are many benefits to be Sangha. But we must ask ourselves, are there any benefits to being a lay person?
To be an ordained sangha, we should desist from gossiping, disrespect to elders, being attached to the eight worldly dharmas, and always having a flippant mind. Once we have shaved our head and said we are going to be sangha, then we should go all the way no matter how difficult it is.
To simply give up sangha-hood for the person is a clean show of the person’s mind of not having trained in the yanas, practices, meditations and vows.
Tsem Rinpoche
I just love dharma. Without dharma, dharma work, dharma institutions and dharma people, life is so much more lonely and empty. Thank goodness I kept my samaya clean my whole life with my teacher and as a result my feeble dharma practice is stable. Praise to the various manifestations of enlightenment!
Tsem Rinpoche
A monk who has gained some realisations and attainments as a result of deep meditational practice in retreat far away from the maddening crowds of samsara. His mind connects to many dimensions and is ready to be of benefit to others.
Tsem Rinpoche
What a beautiful real bio story of Naropa. I loved the dakini (the old woman who told Naropa to seek Tilopa as his guru). I love the fact Naropa gained intense devotion just upon hearing the name of his guru for the first time! I can totally relate to that.
Praise to the lotus feet of Naropa who has grasped the inner Sarva Buddha Dakini of Mahamudra and achieved one taste!
Tsem Rinpoche
Chod is a very sacred practice based on the Goddess Buddha Machig Labdron. Its main focus is to destroy the ego in one life so the ego does not create more unwanted problems for us. It is an intense practice with strong visualisations, music, singing, chanting and offerings…very profound.
H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was a seasoned master and attained adept of the Chod practice. Within our Gelug lineage it is a higher practice and very much treasured.
Tsem Rinpoche
Gorgeous vintage photo of Kamakura Buddha. I wish to visit this place again in the future if I am able to. I really felt so happy visiting this Buddha in Japan. Japan is one of my favourite countries.
Tsem Rinpoche
Glory be to the supreme White Tara goddess who has the power of the Buddhas of the three times to grant the qualities necessary for enlightenment. Bless us dear Goddess.
Tsem Rinpoche
Praise to the supreme Saraswati who bestows freedom from samsara by realising emptiness.
I love when they do the jewellery on the deities like this…so much beauty in the details.
Tsem Rinpoche
For more interesting information:
- Rime Thangkas (Free Download)
- Beautiful ancient Tibetan art to share with you
- PDF Free Tibetan, Nepalese, Indian Art Downloads
- The Thangka of Chakrasamvara and Vajrayogini
- The Art of Thangka Painting
- Tsem Rinpoche draws cartoons
- Arts from the Rooftop of Asia – Tibet, Nepal and Kashmir
- Tibetan Painted Scrolls & The Land of Shambhala
- Which Dorje Shugden Style Is Your Favourite?
- Nicholas Roerich & art (1874-1947)
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Reading each messages and looking at those beautiful pictures tells a thousand words. Without dharma, dharma work, dharma institutions and dharma people, life is so much more lonely and empty……loved this message by our Guru.
May those teachings in this blog flourish in the heart of all beings.
Thank you Rinpoche sharing this great messages. which taught us more and inspired us too.