Learn to Draw & Paint Buddhas and Mandalas in the Ancient Tradition of Thangka
50% of the proceeds of the Online Courses in Sep go to Nepal Relief Funds
Hope you enjoyed the Tibetan New Year celebrations online with me or with your family or sangha!Dear Reader,
On August 26, a sudden flash flood of the Bhote Koshi River struck the border area between Nepal and Tibet. You may have seen the horrific footage of the walls of water completely sweeping away people, buses, roads, houses, bridges, and even complete villages and infrastructure…
The scale of this disaster is still unfolding.
Currently close to 1,000 people have died and thousands are reported missing. Entire communities have lost their homes and are displaced. Immediate help is needed for the roughly 93,000 people that have been directly affected.
That’s why I decided to donate 50% of the proceeds of the upcoming Online Coursesin Sep to relief funds in Nepal:
Buddha Face (Sep 4-9), Buddha Shakyamuni (Sep 18-Nov 15), and Medicine Buddha (Sep 18-Nov 15), as well as their accompanying course bundles.
Note that this also goes for the purchases that where made earlier since registration for these courses opened.
Below you’ll find the registration links for these courses. If you plan on joining one of these courses, know that your purchase will contribute to immediate help to all those affected.
May those who have died find peace. May the missing be found. May the searchers stay safe.May those who have died find peace. May the missing be found. May the searchers stay safe.May those who have died find peace. May the missing be found. May the searchers stay safe.May those who have died find peace.
May the missing be found.
May the searchers stay safe.
With Metta,
Carmen
PS
In this newsletter you’ll also find a few trusted Relief Fundsto donate to if you want to help, as well as a link to lists of Buddhist Prayers and Practices you can do in this regard
Also all upcoming in-person thangka classes are listed and can now be signed up for.
ONLINE
Upcoming Online Courses
ONLINE
Sep 4-13, 2026
Face of the Buddha
50% OF THE PROCEEDS OF THIS COURSE AND ITS ACCOM-PANYING COURSE BUNDLES GO TO RELIEF FUNDS IN NEPAL
(also if you already purchased this course in the past weeks)
–
During this thangka course at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art, you will learn how to draw the face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
– Through Carmen’s combination of creating art step by step, mindfulness meditation and explanations about thangka and iconography, you will not only create a meaningful drawing, but you will gain an experience that lasts way longer than the duration of this course.
50% OF THE PROCEEDS OF THIS COURSE AND ITS ACCOM-PANYING COURSE BUNDLES GO TO RELIEF FUNDS IN NEPAL
(also if you already purchased this course in the past weeks)
– During this in-depth course, you will learn how to draw The Buddha according to the traditional Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Thangka, in a step by step process.
Buddha Shakyamuni is the historical Buddha of our time, generally referred to as The Buddha. Besides the clear drawing instructions you will be taken to ancient India 2500yrs ago, learn about his life (and the previous ones!), his path, his meditation, mantra (and the meaning of it), as well as about the impact his teachings had and that caused a stir in India at the time.
Before the course starts a package with the traditional grid proportions for drawing this Buddha will be shipped to youand during the course Carmen is fully available to guide and support you on your drawing, bringing each student from where they are to a higher level.
You can start this course anytime within the above time frame and come back to it as much as you like in between these dates. The course is laid out in a way that even if you just do 1 module a week you will finish your Buddha in time. The last week and module is for catching up if needed.
Also possible to purchase in a bundle with the Buddha Face included
50% OF THE PROCEEDS OF THIS COURSE AND ITS ACCOM-PANYING COURSE BUNDLES GO TO RELIEF FUNDS IN NEPAL
(also if you already purchased this course in the past weeks)
– Also possible to purchase in a bundle with the Buddha Face included
During this in-depth course, you will learn how to draw The Buddha according to the traditional Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Thangka, in a step by step process.
Buddha Shakyamuni is the historical Buddha of our time, generally referred to as The Buddha. Besides the clear drawing instructions you will be taken to ancient India 2500yrs ago, learn about his life (and the previous ones!), his path, his meditation, mantra (and the meaning of it), as well as about the impact his teachings had and that caused a stir in India at the time.
Before the course starts a package with the traditional grid proportions for drawing this Buddha will be shipped to youand during the course Carmen is fully available to guide and support you on your drawing, bringing each student from where they are to a higher level.
You can start this course anytime within the above time frame and come back to it as much as you like in between these dates. The course is laid out in a way that even if you just do 1 module a week you will finish your Buddha in time. The last week and module is for catching up if needed.
This retreat is offered in Dutch, translations possible on request
AMSTERDAM, Nederland
4 Okt
Dieren op de Thangka
–
Speciaal voor Dierendag wordt deze dagworkshop georganiseerd bij Maitreya Instituut Amsterdam, waarbij je verschillende dieren leert te tekenen die veel voorkomen op thangka’s, zoals Herten, Vogels en de Yak.
This retreat is offered in Dutch, translations possible on request
VELUWE, Nederland
29 Okt – 1 Nov
Mandala van de
Vijf Wijsheids-Boeddha’s
bij Maitreya Instituut Loenen, inclusief alle overnachtingen en maaltijden
–
In deze heerlijke vierdaagse retraite leer je de Mandala te tekenen (en evt. later te schilderen)van de Vijf Boeddha-Families die vertegenwoordigd worden door Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi en Vairocana.
Elke Boeddha is een manifestatie van de verlichte geest en belichaamt oa. een kleur, chakra, element, richting en wijsheid, waarmee deze een specifieke negatieve emotie transformeert in een positieve.
–
Je kunt ervoor kiezen om de Mandala met de Boeddha’s erin te maken, of een iets eenvoudiger versie waarbij de Boeddha’s vertegenwoordigd zijn door hun symbolen.
Daardoor deze cursus geschikt voor zowel beginners als gevorderden.
This course is offered in English, translations possible on request
VENICE, Italy
5-8 Nov
A special Four-Day Course, held in a traditional Venetian Palazzo
Learn to draw the Primordial Buddha with consort
–Samantabhadra, known as the Primordial Buddha, represents the absolute, unconditioned reality.
To symbolize pure, uncorrupted awareness, he is typically depicted completely naked and sky-blue in color..
Samantabhadra is frequently portrayed in a yab-yum (sacred embrace) with Samantabhadri, his white-colored consort.
Together, they symbolize the indivisible union of wisdom (emptiness) and compassion (method).
Creating art in the city where you are surrounded by art is such a great combination. This course is perfect to combine with a visit to the famous Venice Art Biennale.
This course is offered in English, translations possible on request
VIENNA, Austria
12 Nov
Afternoon workshop at the Panchen Losang Chogyen Center
Introduction to Thangka Art
incl. Drawing the Buddha Face
–
This three hour workshop offers a great introduction on Tibetan thangka painting (Buddhist scroll paintings). After the lecture you’ll learn how to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
This is also the prerequisite for the subsequent course on Green Tara.
This course is offered in English, translations possible on request
VIENNA, Austria
12-15 Nov
Four-Day Thangka Course at the Panchen Losang Chogyen Cente
Green Tara
The Manifestation of Active Compassion
–
Green Tara is the most famous female Buddha, and in this course you will learn to draw her according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.–
Green Tara is a fully enlightened female Buddha and a powerful Bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism. She embodies active compassion, wisdom, and swift, fearless action.
Also known as the ‘Mother of all Buddhas‘ and the ‘Saviouress,’ she is revered for her unique vow toalways reincarnate in a female form to guide sentient beings toward liberation.
In addition to experiencing the meditational way of thangka drawing, you will learn all about the backgrounds and symbolism of Green Tara. You will also learn her Mantra, including its meaning and how to work with it.
Creating art in a city where you are surrounded by beautiful museums and art -think of Klimt, Schiele, the Wiener Werkstätte, and Hundertwasser- is such a great combination. In addition to visiting the museums you can also enjoy the many Christmas Markets in Vienna in November.
–
This retreat is offered in Dutch, translations possible on request
AMSTERDAM, Nederland
29 Nov
Gezicht van de Boeddha
–
Deze dagworkshop, georganiseerd bij Maitreya Instituut Amsterdam, geeft een goede introductie in de kunst van Thangka, waarbij je naast lezingen ook zelf een Boeddhagezicht leert maken volgens de traditie van thangka.
Government of Nepal Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund
The Nepalese government has centralized emergency aid under a unified framework, making it the most direct, secure, and legally protected way to provide aid to the victims of the catastrophic flash floods.
By Nepalese law, 100% of the money deposited into the fund must be spent entirely on rescue operations, medical treatments, immediate relief, long-term rehabilitation, and infrastructure restoration. The law strictly prohibits these funds from being used to cover administrative costs or government overhead.
Nepal Red Cross Society
Also the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) delivers clean water, emergency shelter, tarps, and blankets to families hit by severe weather and landslides.
They operate over 100 blood donation centers and supplies more than 4 million units of safe blood and components annually. Local teams run active ambulance stations and train community members in life-saving first aid. A robust group of over 90,000 active volunteers and youth members provides rapid front-line support during emergencies.
Of course you can also donate to other trusted organizations, but donating to the above options makes a lot of sense, as my Nepali friends say ‘this new government must be trusted to do what is in Nepal’s best interest.’
A caution worth repeating, since Nepali authorities have said it themselves: give through registered organizations, not personal accounts or fundraisers circulating on social media. Scams follow disasters fast.A caution worth repeating, since Nepali authorities have said it themselves:
give through registered organizations such as these, not personal accounts or fundraisers circulating on social media. Scams follow disasters fast.
Lastly
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, my favorite teacher of the Bön tradition, shared this prayer with his students:
“May those who have passed rest in peace.
May the injured recover swiftly.
May grieving families find strength and comfort, and may all those offering help be guided by compassion and wisdom.”
