Margaret’s Fantastic Paintings!!!
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
One of my long time friends and students, Margaret Lee is very talented. She is from Hong Kong and currently resides in Malaysia. Through the years, she has offered me many thangkas and paintings which she painted herself. I encouraged her to explore thangka painting when I first met her in the year 2001 and she took it on.
Each thangka she has painted and of what deity was my request except Reclining Buddha and Buddha in Meditation in asterisks*. Those two was Margaret’s own wonderful idea to paint.. I have all of them within my collection except Reclining Buddha and Buddha in meditation. All eleven paintings below was hand done by Margaret. Amazing!!
She has made some thangka paintings according to traditional Tibetan style and out of her creativity, she also painted modern, new age style of her own. I would like to share some of her works with all of you. Please scroll down below slowly and feast your eyes on the incredibly talented works of Margaret. I treasure each painting so much!!
We have reproduced the paintings for people to invite and they are available in Kechara Paradise Outlets printed in high definition ready to be framed!!!
I love these thangkas and Margaret REALLY DID A SPECTACULAR JOB!! Can you imagine the time, energy, effort and care put into each painting??? Margaret really gave it her all!!!!
Fantastic!! Thank you Margaret!!
Tsem Rinpoche
Click on image to enlarge
Standing Tara – 3ft x 2 ft. Click on image to enlarge
Yamantaka with Tsongkhapa and 2 heart sons, Manjushri and Shakyamuni at the top; Kalarupa and Setrap on the bottom – 3 ft x 2 ft. Click on image to enlarge
Manjushri ( I love Manjushri so much. I keep this painting in my bedroom)I really cannot stop staring at this painting Margaret has done. This is my favorite Manjushri painting in the whole world – 4 ft x 3ft. Click on image to enlarge
Dream Tara-This practice confer knowledge of the future during dreams. This form of Tara is said to give indications to one’s questions in dreams if the practice is done correctly – 4 ft x 3 ft. Click on image to enlarge
Headless Vajra Yogini – I saw this picture in a shop in Kathmandu. The owner only had one and didn’t want to part with it. So I took pictures and emailed to Margaret to paint it and it came out exaclty as the one in the shop!! Fantastic!!! – 1 ft 4 inches x 2 ft. Click on image to enlarge
One of the 5 visions of Tsongkhapa, with children. Tsongkapa appeared in 5 main visions to Kedrub Rinpoche. This is one of the visions Margaret has painted – 3 ft x 2 ft. Click on image to enlarge
Buddha in meditation – 2 ft x 2 ft 8 inches. Click on image to enlarge
Reclining Buddha – 3 ft x 2 ft 8 inches. Click on image to enlarge
A Word From The Artist
“An assignment from my Guru, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, to frame up an old poster of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri, miraculously put me on the joyful path of creation. I started to paint my very first thangka with acrylic on wood in 2001 and have since been engaging in painting retreats. Some painting retreats took up to 11 months, yet the tremendous joy and serenity that I feel after each retreat is beyond words. I humbly fold my hands to my kind Guru who has helped me to explore my creative potential and to find my inner strength and beauty.” ~ Margaret Lee
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Thank you for the sharing, those painting are lovely. Margaret is very talented, she has unique ideas. I love seeing all her painting, those are marvellous, colourful and creative. I can see that she truly put in a lot of effort, time and energy to finish her painting. She must also have a lot of dharma knowledge to draw and paint all these Buddha images. It’s always great to hear about artist process.
When I try to look for a Lord Manjushri’s image, it leads me to this post. It’s fantastic all the images. Apart from Lord Manjushri, I like the Vajra Sarahi, Reclining Buddha and Headless Vajra yogini images. To look at the Buddha images will leave you a feeling of peace, not to mention how much peace a painter will fell while painting a Buddha’s image.
Lovely paintings ,done a creative artist .Those paintings beautifully drawn look alive which to me is stunning.Magaret is truly a visionary grifted artist of her own style. I can imagined the time , energy, effort spent on each piece of painting which done beautifully. wonderful to know now that all her paintings which is printed in high definition ready to be framed are for invite at kechara outlets. I love the Manjushri and Dream Tara very much which look so beautiful.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing .
What is fantastic about the first Vajrayogini painting at the very top of this blog post, is how complete it is. Imagine the merits of having a painting like this, and making offerings to it every day. When you see a thangka like this, it helps you to understand a little better the tradition and purpose of thangkas, which is that it is a meditational aid for the practitioner, to help them to visualise the deities during their practice. My other two favourites from this post are Yamantaka and the Headless Vajrayogini…I have a thing for wrathful deities! Hehehe
I’m in love.
Searching for Dream Tara pictures and found this article. It is so beautiful and awesome!
Margaret is very talented. May Dharma be with her always.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing and instructed the painting to be done.
Margaret
some hidden painting that I have to discover , certainly love your color blending and so details, I am sure you will paint some more in the future for the pleasure of all of us JM
When I went through the pictures of Thanka pictures painted by Margaret I cannot help but think I want to comment about her paintings again. The second time I saw her paintings again I sort of change my perception. I am not good in looking at combination of colours in paintings. But looking at the colours Margaret apply to her paintings give me a sense of peace, calmness and serenity. I like the painting of Vajrayogini and her entourage. Being able to paint is an asset especially when painting of Holy Beings and B uddhas. You get two in one benefits. One you get knowledge of all the different deities you are painting. And the other you will accumulate so much merits.
W-o-W, thanks for sharing this, amazing stuff, with this special touch of female sensitivity! I must admit, my favourite is the one with the one of five Tsongkapa visions.
I would like to tell Ms. Lee that I am great adorer of the arts and especially her work, and that I wish her to receive much merits and beneficial happiness through her arts.
Seeing these pictures I can be happy for her, as in my own trials to paint (and calligraphy) I always found myself being far too perfectionistic to be happy with my results, so I started doing photography to search and reproduce a viewpoint of ultimate beauty that already exists somewhere in this world.
Margaret’s painting of BUDDHA IN MEDITATION caught my eye when I was at one of Kechara’s outlets at 1 Utama. It’s modern, colorful, vibrant yet simplicity is very ideal for anyone to place it in their homes, offices … basically anywhere! My family members, the kids, visitors simply loves the painting. Another beautiful and talented lady in Kechara. How fabulous!
Margaret Lee one of long time friend and student of Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is from Hong Kong and now staying in Malaysia. She has offered many Thangkas and paintings to Tsem Rinpoche which she has painted thru the years. When Rinpoche met Margaret for first time in 2001, he had sensed that Margaret would be a good painter and he encouraged her to explore into Thangka Painting. She agreed and now she has made traditional Tibetan style Thangka painting which she has created herself. She has also made new age style paintings on her own. Rinpoche confesses that she treasures each and every one of Margaret’s talented paintings very much.
Kechara Paradise outlets are reproducing the painting for people to invite home. Margaret has put her time, energy, effort and care into each painting she really gave it her all.
Looking at the Dream Tara invoke a sense of dreaminess. Does the moon and the sun in the background represent a time to rise and a time to sleep? Are the flowers behind the halos slowly releasing its fragrant to gently ease us into reposeful slumber while the clouds under her feet represents soft downy feathered pillows to pamper our contour when we are finally in dreamland? Just looking at how beautiful the Tara’s face is painted makes me wanna stare at it all day long.
Oh how I love this painting. Did Rinpoche said it resides in his bedroom? Umm…I’ll wait until he’s asleep..hehe.
They says a picture says a thousand words. I says Margaret paintings says a million words. : ). Margaret painting and depictions of Buddhas is absolutely breath taking. She spents so many hours , days and nights to complete anyone of them and to the precise accuracy and correct iconography.
Anyone that first came to kechara will defintely notice painting 1st as it is the most easiet to be associated with. Margaret has so much merits from previous life and current life to be able to draw up such amazing paintings. I myself really like it alot.
Thank you margaret for your truly blessed and amazing work. With much guidance and blessing from Rinpoche.
When I first saw the Vajrayogini thangka with lineage gurus & various deities from Tsem Tulku website, I thought to myself, Wow! This Margaret lady is really talented!! That was before I got to know her and speak to her personally. Later on when I saw in Ladrang, the other paintings such as Tsongkapa (modern), Reclining Buddha, Standing Tara, and the White Tara, it really blew my mind!! These are really top quality art pieces!! One of my favorite is the Vajra Varahi (Is Vajra Varahi a form of Vajrayogini?). I saw this picture in the gift room and instantly fell in love with it. I can feel that painting is painted with immense concentration and determination. It is very detail, and the painting looks very alive. While looking at the picture I asked Shin, is Margaret a professional painter? Or is she an art teacher? Shin told me that Margaret was neither a painter nor an art teacher. Rinpoche saw her talent, encouraged her and she started to produce superb Buddha paintings ever since.
I love Buddha statues and paintings very much, it was the intricate details of the Buddhas statues and the Thangkas that was in KP 1U that caught my attention and drew me closer towards Buddhism. I often go KP 1U and KP SS2 to check if there are any new statues every now and then. I find much peace just by seeing and being with Buddha statues and art work. I have great respect for Margaret’s work. But that is not all that she’s good at!! Hehe….. Recently while rehearsing with the Wonder Girls and the Swans (we got really CUTE swans.) I got to know Margaret in person and found that she’s also really talented in dancing!!! She choreographed our dance steps and showed us from A-Z on how to move our “plank like body” to the song. It was really awkward at first, but Margaret patiently guided us through each steps and slowly, we saw improvements. Now the planks got moves!! It is really a pleasure knowing her and getting to learn things from her. I really appreciate her taking the time and effort to teach us the steps and for all the wonderful pictures that she’s painted and offered to Rinpoche. May Margaret paint more beautiful and meaningful Buddha paintings in the future.
Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing the pictures with us and for giving us such a great dance instructor.
🙂
With much love and respect,
Joe Ang
Looking at the pictures over the screen, I am already in awe. When I saw one of Margaret’s paintings in person (I think it was the Standing Tara), I was speechless. The intricacies, the delicate details, the magnificence of the painting was breathtaking. So refine was each line, that I could feel and sense the care and patience put into each stroke in the painting. It must have taken a long time to complete each one, but the talent and creativity that Margaret has in art is undeniable. What is more surprising is the fact that she didn’t know she had these abilities in her. It was through Rinpoche’s encouragement that she found the artistic tendencies in herself. I cannot imagine the immense joy that you felt with the completion of each painting. An extremely talented individual. Amazing work, Margaret.
Aunty Margaret’s paintings are exquisite. She is like the Leonardo Da Vinci of this century. She works very hard in Kechara. All the beautiful art work shows that she has an extremely steady hand and she is very left-brained and through the paintings you could see an artistic and colorful and optimistic side to her. She does all the lovely paintings for the glorious Dharma. So that people can appreciate what KSA can provide and she will be on of the few inspirations for the future generations of Kechara House to paint image of Buddha’s. I have gotten slight information about the headless vajrayogini. I asked Uncle Albert about the various Vajrayogini’s. He said one of the most rare ones were the headless one. Is this actually correct? May I have a larger explanation of the headless Vajrayogini please, thanks.
Rinpoche always know and has his own way to brings out our talent, which we might not know we have such a great hidden talent, which we can benefits a lot of people, one of the example is Margaret. I was truly surprise and amaze on Margaret’s painting work, and now I notice that, a lot of those painting hanging around Kechara House, Ladrang, KP Outlets and others Kechara Departments are Margaret hardworks.
Besides of being a good painting artist, Margaret also a good Chronographer for Performance, one of the best works she has does is the Last year Karaoke Event (Swan Legs, Dreamgirls) at Kechara Oasis and also this year Kechara Charity Dinner Event (Wonder Girls & Swan Legs)
Absolutely stunning works! My personal favourite is the Reclining Buddha. And, I also get to work on a negative quality after viewing these paintings: jealousy! Sadly, the only thing I’m good at painting are walls…
Margaret, these paintings are simply divine (I tried to sound arty there, hope I managed it!). They completely reflect your devotion to Rinpoche, and for that alone you should be celebrated, but as an artist, how incredible you are! These awesome works are so very inspiring and very alive – such amazing representations of the Buddhas!
Congratulations on such wonderful success, and may you have many more! 🙂
Kind regards,
Sandy
The first time I saw Margeret’s painting is when the first week I join Kechara Outlets, it is during the Thangka exhibition in Sunway Pyramid.
When they set up a section at a corner for her painting, they told me it is a creation of Margeret, so I was like thinking who is she, how does she look like?? Her painting is really beautiful; she is very talented and creative.
Not only that, she did not let her talent divert her motivation, she is using it for Dharma, she is very dedicated to her dharma work, I’m glad to see Margeret using her to spread dharma.
I’ve heard that every single piece of painting do represent the Artist’s feeling, when you look at the painting, you will know how their feeling that moment is. But from Margeret’s painting, I what I can see is ‘peace of mind’.
Much more than a great artist, Margaret is ever ready to lend a sympathetic ear. A caring and warm person, Margaret is a shining example of how every student should be. And the wonderfull results of having guru devotion. Thanks for the beautifull pictures Margaret !
Margaret is really talented and creative. The thangkas paintings she has done are amazingly gorgeous. I can see that she truly put in a lot of effort , time and energy. She must also have a lot of dharma knowledge to draw and paint all these Buddha images , when one looks at them , they are so real and lively and I still remembered when I was staying in kechara hostel tara room sometimes end of last year , I can feel as if the picture of standing tara is present in the room. Thanks to Margaret Lee in promoting dharma to the guests who come and stay in kechara hostel. Her work is very inspiring.
Such wonderful thangkas and paintings!! Not to mention Margaret’s god-gifted talent, totally cannot differentiate the painting whether is painted by the professional thangka painter! Rinpoche is certainly of great compassion, requested Margaret to paint them and now its reproduced and available for invitation. I read from the Kechara website saying, by painting the thangka or any holy image of the Buddha can generate good karma too! Wonderful! I wished one day I can acquire the skill to paint such gorgeous paintings. Indeed it needs both talent and patience. Thanks again Rinpoche for sharing such great picture indeed have instill peace in my mind just looking at the Dream Tara as well as the Manjushri painting.
Thank you so much Rinpoche for sharing facts and stories of a great lama of the past. There is an interesting fact that, Pabongka Rinpoche actually transmitted all the knowledge and teachings to Trijang Rinpoche, the private tutor of the current 14th Dalai Lama.. How auspicious and special is the bond is? I love and respect the Dalai Lama to the core and we can see there is a direct link in between. Pabongka Rinpoche, Geshe Lobsang Tarchin, a direct disciple. One of the Tsem Rinpoche’s guru Geshe Lobsang Tarchin and this show the direct lineage of Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings. Malaysia certainly is of great fortune that having Tsem Rinpoche to stay here and spread the Dharma.. Once again I should mention again, may I have sufficient good karma, to meet Tsem Rinpoche personally, certainly there is a lot a lot of teachings to learn from.
Margaret is a student of Rinpoche for many years and also a very dear dharma sister to me. It’s just so amazing the talent that she has in painting. I love all the paintings that she has done..i like every one of them that i can’t even pick a favorite. All the Buddha paintings that she has done is so intricate with precise details. Can u imagine the amount of patience & effort put into all these paintings that she has produced? She inspires us through her Guru devotion whereby when your Lama gives you an assignment, you will just follow and get it accomplished no matter how tough it is. It shows the level of her transformation & maturity throughout the years of guidance from Rinpoche. Now Kechara House can proudly say that we have our in-house thangka painter in Malaysia. Although she is born in HK, she is very much a Malaysian and has made Malaysia her home.
As Rinpoche always believe, spiritualism can be connected via art and his vision for us to have the 1st Tibetan Art established in South East Asia, “Kechara Saraswati Art” (KSA), which is one of the 12 departments in Kechara Buddhist Organization. Many art activities are conducted at KSA such as painting statues, painting thangkas, sewing mala bag, sewing thangkas, pearl beading class, flower arrangements & etc. Kechara is indeed a very unique Buddhist organization where we recognize different people with different talents. For more info on KSA, do log on to: http://www.kechara.com/arts/.
Margret has been a longtime disciple of Rinpoche and she has been a very stable one too. I heard that she is a Hong Kong citizen and has moved to Malaysia because she can be closer to Rinpoche. She is a very nice lady and i had no idea she was the one who painted those pictures! Some of them looked so modern and contemporary that it didint look like a traditional thangka at all but a modern rendition of the Yidam.
Painting images of the Buddha creates the causes for a beautiful or attractive body in the next life (this life too late wat) and this is important when it comes to attracting people to listen to the Dharma. It was said that the Buddha looked very attractive and this helped to get some people to be interested in the Dharma, and the same was also said with Atisha. So looking pretty is not just for enjoyment, but can also be for Dharma! I wish i could paint like her and paint nice Buddha thangkas so that i will have a gorgeous body in my next life 😛
Margaret truly has the gift of a master artist. She may have been a master artist in her previous incarnation and Rinpoche had forseen that lurking talent in her. Whenever Kechara Care showed visitors around Kechara House, we always show them paintings painted by Margaret. They would comment “they are beautifully painted with such minute details and are they for sale?”
Rinpoche knows how to nurture hidden talents in his students but he would not let us know in advance. I heard he would suddenly give a student an assignment to complete and watched how the person bored fruit as a result.
It showed Rinpoche is using skillful means to nurture his students to help them learn how to benefit others in dharma.
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
Pssst! Margaret…do you take art disciples? LOL
I must say that those sample pieces here are fab and worthy of sharing.
In particular, I loved the image of the White & Dream Tara, it was like tugging at my heart as I stared more into it…kinda like one image of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva I saw back in ’86 that refused to leave my mind until I took refuge/precepts in the Chinese Mahayana Trad in ’99.
Oh and the wrathful Yamantaka…how did you managed to make Him look so peaceful? Yours is the first image of Him that is smiling at me! LOL
Sadhu! and keep up the good work! Thanks to Rinpoche’s guidance and your due diligence!
When I first saw Margaret’s painting years ago. I can’t believe it. I thought only Tibetan can paint such a beautiful thangka. Look at how detail and fine the painting. I will want to have many many Magaret’s painting in my house. Not only that. Margaret id also an Interior Designer cum contractor for Kechara who has been single handedly budget, design and overseeing the renovation for 2 Kechara new departments which is Kechara Care and E- division.
Margaret is also a very nice sister to be with. I love listening to her when she talked about her life in dharma from that day she met Rinpoche. I feel good to have Margaret as my dharma sister, so much to learn and so much inspired.
I am flabbergasted, are they for real? You mean our Margaret did that? Wow, such talent shouldn’t be kept like hidden gems, they should be celebrated. These paintings are stunning. We have many talented people in our midst. Another great artist I can think of is Lily Ng. It takes a very skilful Guru to pick out what’s best in a student and then hone it and the results become masterpieces. That is their personal practice and their works of art are the results of their practice. What a lovely way to develop and express one’s spirituality. By looking at these lovely pieces of art, which are representation of the enlightened mind, many people can benefit.
I remember when I first saw the 8 Verses of Training the Mind that Margaret did for Kechara House 1. I was so amazed because I never knew that she had it in her, and I remember how touched and excited Rinpoche was to hang the verses up in the gompa.
What I find incredible about Margaret is that she wasn’t trained as a painter. All it took was belief in her guru for talent like this to show itself. Margaret’s example shows us that when we trust and believe in our guru, even if we don’t believe in ourselves, good things will come. Our guru is our method of focusing outwards, to stop us from indulging in our selfish “I can’t do this, I can’t do that” which has held us back all of our lives.
Margaret, the gal from Hong Kong, has been with Rinpoche through thick and thin.
Rinpoche told us that when he was in difficult time, Margaret gave a car to him without being prompt.
She has gone through ups and downs on her own spiritual journey. What I learn from Margaret is – it’s not about how hard one falls but how fast one bounces back. Whenever she is assigned a project by the Guru ; no matter how difficult, how impossible it appears to get done, Margaret would embark on the “impossible” task head on and she would accomplish it.
Besides her many talents, this is the quality in Margaret that I admire the most.
Thank You so much Rinpoche, for posting Margaret’s paintings on the blog.
I always like her painting very much. She is REALLY TALENTED. I came to know Margaret since year 2001. We used to hang up together. One day she told me and Henry that Rinpoche asked her to do painting. During that time she was totally disagreed with Rinpoche. Because she has not done this before.
I remembered very well, she even used the word like‘OH JESUS, HOW I’M GOING TO DRAW THIS? WHICH I’VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE’ She repeated again and again.
Henry and I told her that, Rinpoche DEFINITELY KNOWS THAT YOU CAN DO IT! Why not us? THAT’S WHY YOU ARE CHOOSEN.
After she came down and considered, she took up a very short period of drawing class, and THAT’S WHEN HER SPIRITUAL JOURNEY BEGAN AS PAINTER. CONGRATULATIONS TO MY DEAREST FRIEND MARGARETA….!!!
WONDERFUL THING IS, RINPOCHE KNOWS EACH EVERY ONE OF HIS STUDENTS ABILITIES. RINPOCHE WILL DO HIS BEST TO BRING US UP! THANK YOU RINPOCHE FOR ALL YOUR PATIENCE, CARE AND LOVE TO US AS YOUR STUDENT. THANKS RINPOCHE..
Love,angel
Judging by the number of comments here, Margaret certainly has a big fan base. Congratulations Margaret! I was around when Tsem Rinpoche asked Margaret to do the first thangka. It was to be an image of Manjushri. I remember vividly Margaret’s expression yet she completed it without any and ,ifs or but. Next was thangka of Yamantaka. The day when Margaret brought it to the old ladrang in Bandar Utama, the both of us did King Of Prayers together. Till today, i am still amazed by Margaret’s talent which she probably would not have discovered it herself if Rinpoche hadnt put her on her first thangka retreat. Continue painting to enlightenment our dear Margaret! 🙂
I like this pictures very much. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Margeret is real artist; our in house thangka painter. I have no doubt about what she can paint thangka again and again as her assignment under rinpoche instruction. She produce many beautiful thangkas offer as the gift for rinpoche for many years. She patiently completed all the assignment without any complains, all the task she treat it as her personal retreat.
I personally like the Manjushiri and Vajrayogini mandala thangka she draw. Beside that the tradition style thangka painting, I also like the margeret modern art Buddha painting. Some of her painting has reproduced as the poster and gift card available sales at the Kechara outlet.
Beside of that, Margeret also is our Kechara organization interior designer. Under her supervisor, many kechara department has nicely done up. Her artistic talent has offer up to contribute to Kechara organization. I praise her devotion to rinpoche and hard work for the organization.
Regards,
Chia
Margerat’s talents not only with paintings. She is multi talents equipped with creativity and passions. To me, she is a super woman that always produced results. These paintings are the results shown.
I like the Vajravarahi the most, the colours macthed perfectly with the background and moods..etc
The picture tells thousand words
“Vajra Varahi doing the dance of subjugating samsara from our minds”
My second favourite will be The Vajrayogini thangka with lineage gurus & various deities.
and The Headless Vajra Yogini also one of my favourite, i set this picture as screen/wallpaper for my mobile phone, to remind myself CUT DOWN MY EGO ALWAYS…(to me, it works though)
How kind that our Guru helped Margerat to explore her creative potential and to find her inner strength and beauty!
Just a thought. In such a short time, Margaret was able to produce such intricate thangka painting where the iconography and details were even difficult to make out from an 8R photo. The only explanation is that Margaret’s abilities and talents is purely the result of many previous lifetimes of performing the same action over and over again.
Talents are not god-given. It cannot be. That would be unfair.
Talent comes purely from our hardwork.
You know what that means? That means everyone can produce the same results as Margaret if we practice and put many hours and effort. Even if we can’t achieve the same results this lifetime, it can be achieved next life or next next life. This goes with everything else we do.
I like all the paintings, both modern and traditional. My favourite is the Vajra Yogini with the entourage and various deities. Margaret has an eye for detail and it is difficult to tell the reproductions from the original paintings. This attention to detail is useful when it comes to the facial expressions and the iconography of the deities in thangka paintings. I have a feeling that as Margaret progresses in her spritual practice, her paintings will become better and better. Her art will reflect her spirituality. I think it is very important for artists who paint Buddhas and religious themes to practice well and have realisations. Their art will reflect that and benefit people who contemplate or buy their paintings.
Just to add onto something that I saw…kids from the Kechara Saraswati Art’s classes might be the next Margaret Lee!! 🙂 It’s nice to see kid’s starting to paint tsatsa at such a young age as it enables them to visualize Buddha’s a lot better. Perhaps if the artistic streak in them doesn’t flourish as they might want…they could be teachers in iconography!!
http://www.kechara.com/arts/classes/classes-and-workshops/
When I first saw some of Margaret paintings I really thought that she’s an artist (a professional one) because the painting was so beautiful. Later I found out that she actually doesn’t realize her talent in arts initially and there was a request from Rinpoche to paint a drawing (her first painting work, Manjushri)…..guess what she paints it just like a “professional”, so nice. Since then she has been continue producing numerous of gorgeous deities’ art pieces. She really shows us and proofs to us that her strong faith to Rinpoche and her great guru samaya brought her to find her potential. With her great sense of art & design Margaret has also been involved in dept. renovation. She is managing from acquiring the shoplot/premises until the completion of the overall renovation. She has put what she learn (dharma) into practice and this is how she’s able to manage it well.
Rinpoche is so skillful in helping people to realize their potential and this will definitely inspire more people to have stronger faith to the Lama.
Nicholas
I really find Margaret’s work have soo much passion in them that they come to life. The energy from the effort put in gives it emotion.
When I first saw the Vajravarahi I was taken aback by the eyes, though this picture does not do it justice when you see it in real life you will agree she is staring right through you to your soul. The subdued colors, the muddiness of this work, yet the striking eyes really catches your attention.
Each of her works are like this, a rollercoaster of emotions in such a varied collection, she really does need to have an exhibition!
Margaret, your painting is just simply awesome!
I love the reclining Buddha, the colours and lines you apply is very contemporary and modern, and in a way suitable for any house’s décor. I can feel the Buddha is resting peacefully with his eyes closed. It sends out positive energy to whoever standing in front of your painting.
What a nice way of sharing Buddhist art for every family, business premises either hotel, restaurant, spa etc etc to enjoy and bask in its sacred energy… in a beautiful manner. I hope you keep on painting more and more, perhaps one day you will have your own gallery that showcase all the wonderful art pieces you have created, and indirectly promote Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings to the whole world!
Paul
Margaret is extremely creative. Not only she can paint such exquisite pieces shown above, anything that needs creative input is her forte. My favourite of all her pieces is the Dream Tara. When I first saw it, I thought it was one of the most spectacular painting I have ever seen, so much detail, colour and the image is so alive. It is so amazing that we have such talented artist amongst us. Her other talent is renovations. She simply knows what matches what, where to place things so that it doesn’t look cluttered or out of place, what colour scheme is suitable for each place, purpose and person etc. I love Margaret’s creative sense….
Oh yes Joy, I did make a 2 ft clay buddha shakyamuni statue for Rinpoche. I had no idea of 3D sculpture when Rinpoche hinted me in 2003 that he would like to have something like a natural stone shakyamuni statue to be placed in his outdoor garden. I went and searched around and found an Art academy that taught clay sculpture.
I went 3 times a week , 3 hours each time and spent 3 months to complete the statue. During the first firing of the statue and the lotus base, the lotus base cracked. My clay teacher said that I was lucky that it wasn’t the statue which cracked during firing, otherwise I would have ended up spending another 2 more months to make a brand new one.
The second firing of the lotus base was perfect. I offered it to Rinpoche immediately. I still have a few photos of my first clay buddha creation which I can show you.
Rinpoche always skillfully give us many chances to practise the core esscence of vajrayana, Guru devotion. be it getting his favourite food, running his errands to big projects like opening a vegetarian restaurant.
Long time student Irene Lim also single handedly raised funds, renovate Kechara Oasis and executed Rinpoche’s vision of having a vegetarian restaurant in just a few months time after Rinpoche expressed to her that he would like her to embark on this porject. Irene too has no prior experience in any food and beverage business.
Another example, David Lai, our dear darling star, Liaison of Kechara Media Publication (KMP), writer of “There is no way but up”, also followed through Rinpoche’s instruction to finish his book and is now on his way to become a very successful and famous writer that will bring dharma to benefit many in the 21st century.
All the above thanka is incredibly beautiful. My four favorite thanka in the above is, first the Vajrayogini thangka with lineage gurus & various deities as the details of the thanka is very fine and for some one who have never try painting such a big piece is consider extremely good. Second is Rinpoche favorite Manjushri thanka that has attracted many people. Third is the Reclining Buddha as the color and method use is special and daring. Forth is the Dream Tara as every time I see it I feel a sense of closeness.
Margaret did a one fine job in all her work in the above and not only that, her talent has expanded into many directions like helping the renovation of our various departments and also decoration.
That shows that if we have full faith in our Lama/Guru he will always bring out the best in us without us knowing.
Thank you Rinpoche for bringing out the best in us.
Yes! I agree Margaret is a super duper woman with multi-talents and it takes Rinpoche’s divine eye to unveil her talents and set her rolling with so many beautiful paintings. Margaret certainly collects so much merits painting these enlightened images.
I love the painting of the deity Yamantaka. It is so incredibly beautiful and wrathful. It is detailed with 9 heads, 34 arms holding different implements and standing astride with 16 legs. Wow! it makes me perspire just looking at Yamantaka. I wonder how Margaret has the patience to paint Yamantaka the most difficult deity.
It is definitely worth the value at Kechara Paradise outlets.
I can’t agree more!! There is a bunch of cool and talented people working to spread Dharma at Kechara and guided by a living Boddhisattva.
I remembered the first time Margaret painted her 1st painting to Rinpoche, which is a replica of Rinpoche’s personal Manjushri thangka. It amazed me her talent was definitely inborn and the painting just captivated everyone. Then Rinpoche started giving her one after another assignment to paint many more deity images as you can see above and her passion just grew and grew.
But what I admire most about Margaret, knowing her for about 10 years now, is not so much her talent in painting but her strong will and determination to get something done. I also like her courage, to be able to go through any challenges thrown on to her and the will to learn new things. Besides painting she’s even made a clay Buddha Shakyamuni statue for Rinpoche before!
Margaret you are like a “big sister” and through thick and thin you’ve stuck it through, being loyal and I think these are the beautiful qualities you have and it has manifested in your beautiful paintings – your Kechara Family!
When are you going to start giving us lessons is KSA??? 🙂
Margaret’s paintings are truly awesome! By someone who has no thangka painting experience! Just by merely reproducing from a photo taken or picture. I truly admire what Margaret can do to produce such pieces with added creativity to it and making more appealing to younger generation as well. All her paintings were reproduced in prints for all to have them. They are available at all Kechara Paradise outlets (www.kechara.com/shopping) and online (www.kechara.com/eshop). Oh Yes! Similar prints are also available on postcards too! They can be collection items for all to keep and as gifts.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing all these beautiful paintings with us.. 🙂
Dear Margaret
You really amazed me with your paintings. Back in 2001 when you were so new in dharma, if I am not mistaken we were all in Singapore with Rinpoche, you stayed up all night talking to Rinpoche and the next day you told Ruby and me that Rinpoche gave you an assignment to paint Manjushri . You freak out! But you have trust and faith in Rinpoche and you did it! Rinpoche could see the creative potential within you and this is the best retreat for you to overcome some rough patches in your life. Amongst all your paintings, I loved the Vajrayogini with lineage gurus and various deities. You didn’t give up even though it took you so long to complete. Like what Jean Mei said, you are a “thangka master” in a modern woman body!
Patsy
I have known Margaret for a good 18 years now, from when she was single and jet-setting from Hong Kong to Malaysia to oversee her branch office. Way back then, nobody knew that this little dynamite would one day be able to produce such wonderful pieces of art.
I remember when she first started attending art classes : she would be buying pieces of unfinished wooden items and painstakingly create beautiful pieces. The first finished work-of-art that I saw was a wooden 4-legged stool, painted with a very bright, sunny sunflower on the stool seat that she gifted to a friend.
Dear Wan Wai Meng,
It would be an honour for me to share my spiritual journey through arts to those who are inclined in this field. Rinpoche has healed me through arts and I am without any hesitation to share my experience with any of you.
I sincerely hope for those who have a chance to see any of my paintings be filled with harmony, peace and serenity. Indeed one of the motivations behind all these painting retreats was that a dharmic seed be planted to those who see the deities and hopefully one day, they would also have the good fortune to embark on their spiritual journey.
Love,
Margaret
Margaret Lee is painting her way to enlightenment. She engages in painting retreats, expressing her spirituality through art. I rejoice for her.
i’m very admire in Margaret, not only in her talent but also for her faith and trust in Rinpoche who she fully beleives and trusts even tho she does not really know she can paint it or not but she just go all the way and made it completed. Margaret actions reflect her devotion which inspire other.
I personally like the Vajrayogini thangka very much as it is very special and informative, from the thangka i able to know the leneage lama on the way down.
We are very fortunate to have it available at kechara Paradise outlets, it printed in poster size and also in canvas A4 size which you can have it brocade by Kechara Saraswati Art (www.kechara.com/saraswati) same as the traditional thangka.
Thank to Rinpoche kindness and thoughful to allow us to reprint and have it available for us to invite the holy mother home.
Yes indeed Margaret is an extremely talented lady. Her paintings are really lively and they look as if they are jumping out towards anybody who lays eyes on them. Her strokes are so intricate and her colours are striking.
Margaret’s talent is not only constraint in painting art pieces. She is also into renovation and interior decorations. She is currently handling the renovation of the new premises for our departments single handedly.
She is also a loving mother of 2 teenage boys. It might not be easy juggling between her boys and the renovation crews, but due to her dedication towards Rinpoche and Kechara, she’s giving it her all in handling all these.
I’m really happy for Margaret who had come a long way to who she is today. A lady who is capable of handling any assignments given to her and carrying them out to the finish line!!! Go Margaret go……
Yes, I totally agree with JP – Margaret should have a an ART EXHIBITION – may be in the new KC Lounge. OMG, that would be so cool and she tell us the stories of how each painting came to be conceived. My absolute favourite is standing Vajra Varahi. I loved it from the moment I saw it. Alluring and haunting – exactly like what Rinpoche wrote!
I was totally amazed when I first realised that Margaret could paint so well! Margaret told me that she herself didn’t even know she could paint when she received the assignment from Rinpoche. I was astounded when I heard that because the amount of details in her painting were incredibly amazing and difficult even for an accomplished painter!
This really blew my mind because it made me realise how extremely insightful and skillful Rinpoche is in helping his students realise their potential. Furthermore, the painting retreat has so many benefits for the retreatant on a spiritual level.
It’ll be great for Margaret to exhibit her paintings and share with the public her realisations from this retreat. It’ll be very inspiring and educational!
I especially love the Headless Vajrayogini. As you know it’s on my desktop wallpaper. 🙂
It’s amazing how you can paint both traditional and modern styles. Not many people can.
I look forward when one day you will conduct classes in KWPC.
Dear Margaret,
Seeing all your paintings in the post cards and also hanging at Kechara House, I can’t help to wonder that these paintings could grace residences of the well to do in any part of the world.
What these paintings do for me are,
1) Some of the paintings inspire serenity,
2) Pure joy due to the vibrant interplay of the colors,
3) Inspires me that you have so much focus and an eye for detail.
My hope is that you will eventually conduct art classes and bring others to this form of practice that is healing,calming and much other benefits as you have experienced. I do look forward to your work now and in the future.
Never expected a girl from Hongkong can be a thangka master.Trust in our Guru to bring out the potential in us. i have a photograph of one of Margaret’s painting of Vajrayogini with lineage gurus and various deities blessing my home now. A holy image as an art piece yet have blessings. Margaret, keep on painting and don’t let your brush stay dry !!! Patsy
She’s Picasso, Van Gogh and Warhol rolled into one! Margaret, I’ve said it once and I will say it again: You are a multi-talented, multi-tasking Wonder Woman!
You told me the story of how Rinpoche revealed your artistic talent to you, and for me, it was a sign of Rinpoche’s clairvoyance and also his care for you, knowing that this medium of expression would bring you so much fulfillment and joy. Those who would like to know Margaret’s story, please watch this video starting from 8:28 –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsPtTrd_tT4
I love love love love the modern sleeping Buddha and the spectacular Dream Tara.
There have been so many comments of this Manjushri painting from people who have visited KMP. People are amazed when we share how Rinpoche recognized Margaret’s talent without her even knowing she had such talent.
The first painting I remember seeing was the Tsongkhapa piece. I was blown away…that’s when I started to ask Margaret how long she’s been painting and found out she’s never painted and how she related stories of what Rinpoche told her to do and how her journey of expressing her spirituality started.
Margaret, thank you for trusting in Rinpoche and picking up the brush!
I can assure all that living in a house full of these paintings, that Buddha assuredly watches over us 24/7! On a more serious note, I truly believe Margaret is one of the most creative individuals I have ever met (the anti-me). Her focused attention to detail and her remarkable scope of vision are inspiring and exhilarating. We all have special, unique talents given to us and it is life’s purpose to not only find out what they are, but to put them to beneficial use. Margaret is certainly doing that. Special thanks to Rinpoche for helping to guide her on that path.
It makes me feel so humble to know that many of you like and appreciate my paintings. Indeed I painted every single piece without any other motivation but to follow Rinpoche’s instruction. I realised only later than that Rinpoche’s painting assignments to me was in fact a retreat for me. At that time, I was very new to the Dharma and going through some personal problems, and I could not imagine what I would feel if I have to sit down and chant millions of mantras. Rinpoche’s skillfull means of imparting this method on me was more than applicable as he probably saw through me that I adore beautiful objects of arts.
Yes, I remembered I did freak out when Chia came to me one day and showed me a 8R size VY photo with all the lineage gurus and the dakinis and deities on it and told me that Rinpoche would like me to dupliace this photo to a painting as large as possible. Chia said that this photo was taken from the thangka hanging in H.H. Dalai Lama’s audience room in Dharmsala and Rinpoche liked it very much and wanted me to reproduce one. I took a look and I couldn’t even see the faces let alone the hands and fingers of those 30 plus lineage gurus floating on the clouds. I spent a total of 11 months to complete this sacred Vajrayogini painting and it was hung at Rinpoche’s audience room for quite some time.
With this, I agree totally with what Li kheng said, when one places 100% faith in your Guru, couple with consistent effort, concentration, results will show. Without Rinpoche’s guildance, i wouldn’t be what I am today. To paint is not even in my dictionary.
I am truely grateful to Rinpoche.
To answer Ivy question, I am using acyrlic medium all these while and all these paintings were done in this medium.
I love to paint more in the future and share the power of Spirituality through arts. I hope my “Fans” will still be there!
Like what Rinpoche quoted, Never say you can’t do, becasue that’s not the real you speaking. Just go all the way!
Love,
Margaret
Hello Li Kheng, Kechara has so many talented people from all ages and background. And everyone in Kechara has a role to play with their talent and skills for the outer and inner growth. Margaret is an example of this thus this is her results of her strong faith and loyalty to Rinpoche.
haha..you can say that again! Kechara has many talented people and many of the talents are actually uncovered and refined by Rinpoche.
Ditto! There has been so many comments of this Manjushri painting from people who have visited KMP. And people are amazed when we share with them how Rinpoche recognising Margaret’s talent without her even knowing she had such talent. Margaret, thank you for trusting in Rinpoche and picking up the brush!
Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing some of the beautiful paintings by Margaret. I have always loved her Vajrayogini paintings. Especially the headless ones, because they remind me of Frida Kahlo. They are not morbid, although they depict the harsh, crude and gore of life. Somehow, in all of Margaret’s paintings, I sense an under current of love. Over time, I just believed that the love arises from her love and belief in Rinpoche. Margaret said many times that it was Rinpoche who recognised and brought out the ‘painter’ in her. And I have always thought that is the most beautiful thing. Rinpoche has always seen the best in each of us and have helped all of us in bringing out that very best in ourselves. I am truly happy that Margaret can express her spirituality through her talents in arts. That’s the power of trusting one’s Guru, and going all the way. Now, everyone can also enjoy and appreciate these paintings. May they always continue to bring joy and plant the seeds of Dharma in everyone who sees them. Thank you so much, Rinpoche. Thank you so kindly, Margaret for never giving up.
When i first saw Margaret’s painting years ago. I can’t believe it. I thought only Tibetan can paint such a beutiful thangka. Look at how detail and fine the painting. I will want to have many many Magaret’s painting in my house.
Margaret not only a talented artist, she is also a very nice sister to be with. She is always care about people around her. I love listening to her when she talked about her life in dharma. i feel good to have Magaret as my dharma sister…
Hi Paris, your comment reminds me of Shantideva’s teaching on the vast possibility of our minds. If we dare and if we trust the great teachings of our Lord Buddha, nothing is impossible…our minds have not limits.
All we need to do is i) have faith in our Guru who is the pure vessel containing and generously sharing the precious teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni and ii) make consistent effort.
The power of both the Buddhadharma and conscious and sincere effort will bring beneficial results as in the example set by Margaret!
Hi Girlie, you are so right! With so many responsibilities, Margaret manages to uphold her Dharma practice. She is a living example that we can get committed Dharma NOW when we are young and life is in full swing. It is simply a choice…and Margaret has certainly chosen with wisdom and courage. In fact, from Margaret’s example, I learn that we bring most benefit and can make the most difference in this world when we are still young and active.
Congratulations Margaret and thank you, Rinpoche for creating another powerful and beautiful medium to spread Dharma in all ten directions.
Margaret is amazingly talented and hardworking. Her paintings are both serene and magnificent. And her contribution towards kechara House is very inspiring. I rejoice for her.
Margaret is so talented, in more than one way.
She is the second person from KH that my friend Andrew met (that was in KP Sunway), and I remember that after the meeting Andrew said to me: “Now, I understand why you like this center, the people there are grounded and nice to be with.”
Margaret is so artistic! Awesome paintings! Margaret can express Dharma very well through these paintings. We can see the purity of her mind by looking at the Buddha images that she had painted.
Some of these paintings currently grace the rooms in our Kechara Guest House. Many of our overseas or local guests had praised the talented Margaret’s works.
Guests staying at the Kechara Guest House had the extra advantage of receiving the blessing of the Buddha images in the rooms where they stayed. This benefit is not available in other commercial hotels! Come stay at and experience for yourself Kechara Guest House.
Thank You Rinpoche for inspiring Margaret to paint and for sharing these great paintings with us.
And all of you think that she only paints and imparts her artistic talent to ID? She’s also a great cook! And she has managed to juggle her hectic schedule as a modern mum in between her painting and ID responsibilities. Much she has learned from Rinpoche and put into practice.
P/s : She’s now also busy with the “gals” rehearsing for our charity dinner on 18 July.
-Girlie-
Yes, I agree with Jamie’s comments and I do remember when Rinpoche assigned Marg to paint, she flipped her tops! But now, after more than 10 paintings, look what you are capable of and have done!
Keep up with the painting and reno work in Kechara! Dave Paprocki must be proud of you 🙂
Henry Ooi
Bryan, she is a “thangka master”…just in a modern woman’s body from Kechara House! 🙂
you know what makes these paintings even more special is a little unknown fact: Margaret shared with some of us before that when she was first given the assignment, she really didn’t think she could do it; she didn’t think she could paint!
But she had faith in what Rinpoche had told her, and just got her head down and painting – and the first beautiful painting she came out with was the Manjushri, which is just so spectacular and really a testament of what we can accomplish if we just have faith in our Lama and the potential he sees within us.
These are beautiiful and really inspiring 🙂 Do you happen to know what medium she paints in?
Picasso from KECHARA…. : )
I love these paintings! Margaret is extremely talented – and in more ways than one. She is now helping Kechara with the multiple renovation projects that we are undergoing as we move to the next level… She helped with the renovations of KH2 and KMP too… and now she has completed E-Div and our next Kechara Paradise outlet.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these paintings with us… Kechara is so full of talented people but i do believe that it is Rinpoche’s blessings which brings out the best in all of us.
Margaret – do keep painting! 🙂
Beautiful ! 😀
I find that Margaret’s painting has some kind of calming effect, even the wrathful deities like Yamantaka.
Am completely gobsmacked!!!! Truly amazing talent and what and eye for detail!!!! When I first met Margaret in the KP Sunway outlet, she humbly mentioned she painted “a few” paintings… I never knew they were actually this elaborate and such beautiful masterpieces!
Goes to show yet again, how Rinpoche brings out the best in us and that we need to trust fully!!! Thank you Margaret for your talents and your always kind and gentle demeanour and thank you Rinpoche for sharing and being with us and just being YOU.
Much love from Belgium…. Andrew
That is so wonderful job done by Margaret. I like painting very much, personally. Margaret’s painting is amazing. When you look at her painting you can feel some energy into the painting. Each of her paintings full of her passionate towards art and Buddha.
If you like art you can seem Margaret as example, explore youself in art then through art make your spiritual journey gain high attainment.
I like Margaret’s painting because i can feel something real in her artwork. I believe when someone used their talented such as drawing, writting and so forth into his or her spiritual journey; that will be a brilliant ideal lifesytle in this modern day.
Awesome! Magaret is super talented!!! It only shows that she has the patience for something so fine and details as a person. Truly artistic and wonderful work! Keep it up Margaret!
They look extremely stunning, when i first saw them in the Ladrang. I thought they’re done by some Thangka master from Nepal . They’re so detail, even the tiny fingers of “small” size linage gurus on “Vajrayogini thangka with lineage gurus & various deities” is in the right proportions. Margaret is truly amazing !! LOVE LOVE !!
Wow, I’m extremely impressed with Margaret’s paintings. Extremely, extremely impressed – almost in awe to be honest. The proportions and colours that were used is really beautiful. Even the modern paintings doesn’t seem cartoon-y at all. I felt like I’ve seen a few of them before, especially the Manjushri painting..then i realize that the Manjushri painting is printed on a card pinned up right in front of me!
absolutely loving the contemporary injection into the masterpieces! my personal favourite up-to-date is the Manjushri (which KMP is lucky enough to have a copy of in the office)! thank you Rinpoche for recognising Margaret’s wonderful talent and having her share it with us… you rawk, Marge!!
Wow! Margaret is truly talented. I love her artwork especially Vajrayogini and Manjushri. They are traditional and yet have very modern colours. I saw prints of many of these artwork are available for sale at Kechara Paradise. In Kechara Media and Publications (where I work), we have the Manjushri print framed and hung in our office.
The Buddha told the king:
“To produce an image of Buddha is a worthy deed, and good fortune obtained thereby is, without exaggeration, such as I have explained.”
(‘The Sutra on the Production of Buddha Images’, Link: http://www.fodian.net/world/0692.html )
Sadhu! to Rinpoche & Margaret for sharing this with all of us!
These are such an amazing paintings!
I share Rinpoche’s special affinity for Lord Manjushri.Since young, among all the Buddhas, I am always attracted to images of Wen Shu pusa.Margaret’s painting skills is an eye opener.May her creativity and artistic talent continue to develop through inspiratiion and blessing from Rinpoche and use it to serve Dharma.
So Wonderful! The white tara is very unique, NEEDS to be placed in KP asap hehe. Margaret pls provide art classes soon 😀
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing this.