Drawing course: Amoghapasha, Buddha of Compassion

The wish of Lama Zopa Rinpoche

A course led by Carmen Mensink

During this four-day retreat on the Veluwe you will learn to draw (and perhaps later paint) this beautiful Buddha according to the tradition of thangka (Tibetan scroll paintings).

Avalokiteshvara

Avalokiteshvara (Tib. Chenrezig) is the Bodhisattva of Compassion/Compassion and is considered the protector of Tibet. As such, his mantra OM MANI PADME HUM is the most recited mantra there.

Amoghapasha

The Bodhisattva of Compassion can appear in many forms, and one of them is Amoghapasha.
Amoghapasha literally means "infallible lasso" and refers to an infallible compassion - like a lasso that "pulls" all living beings out of their suffering and brings them into a state of happiness that leads to enlightenment.

The wish of Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Twenty-five years ago, Lama Zopa Rinpochee began expressing the wish that a large painting of the Buddha of Compassion be painted on a 30-meter-high cliff in Nepal, above Lawudo (a special retreat site with which he has a great connection), so that everyone in the neighborhood could see it. In recent years, Rinpoche specifically said it should be a painting of Amoghapasha.

After Lama Zopa Rinpochee died in April 2023, a lot of hard work went into fulfilling this wish and in Nov. 2023, this special and large project (9.5 x 6.4 meters) was completed! Amoghapasha is painted directly on the rock face, overlooks the entire area, and from here spreads his blessings into the universe (read more about it here).

Lama Zopa Rinpoche:
"Just by seeing Amoghapasha's holy body once, you accumulate unimaginable merits. When you see him continuously, there is no turning away from enlightenment. You attain the incomparable happiness of Buddhahood with the cessation of all obscurations and the completion of all realizations."

Rinpoche encouraged students to print and hang an image of Amoghapasha because of its many benefits.
The connection with Amoghapasha becomes even stronger when you draw/paint an image of him yourself, and that is exactly what you will learn in this special retreat.

By drawing Amoghapasha (or Avalokiteshvara) in this course we also honor Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who will have passed away almost a year ago.

For whom:

This course is suitable for both beginners (yes, even if you have no drawing experience) and advanced students.
In this course you can choose to draw Amoghapasha or (the slightly simpler form) Avalokiteshvara.
Beginners can also choose to draw only the face of the Bodhisattva.

If you have any questions about this (or questions whose answers you cannot find here) please contact Carmen.

Program

This retreat gives you so much more than just learning to draw Tibetan art.
In addition to the drawing sessions, you will learn more about the subject and iconography through interesting lectures. Each morning there is a guided meditation on the subject. You will also learn the Buddha's mantra with its meaning and how to work with it. In addition, there is a movie night and you have time to take wonderful walks in the area.
...Expect a great atmosphere and a group of fine course participants!

Including:

Three nights in a room with private shower and toilet, unlimited coffee/tea/biscuits, and all delicious (vegetarian) meals.

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