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Translations in Italian or another language: This course is offered in clear English, but if you need translation in Italian (or another language) we are happy to provide them for you. Please let us know in the registration form.
Nov 5-8, 2026 | Venice, Italy
Samantabhadra
& SamantabhadriLearn to draw the Primordial Buddha with consort
Creating Buddhist art in the most beautiful city in the world!
In this special 4-day thangka course in Venice with renowned thangka painter Carmen Mensink from The Netherlands, you will learn to draw (and perhaps later paint) Buddha Samantabhadra according to the tradition of thangka (Tibetan scroll paintings).
Samantabhadra (Tibetan: Kun tu zang po) is the Primordial Buddha or Adi-Buddha in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He represents the absolute, unconditioned reality.
Unlike other Buddhas associated with physical forms or historical periods, Samantabhadra embodies Dharmakaya (the ‘Truth Body’), representing the pure, unmodified awareness that exists before any illusions, dualities, or concepts arise.
Samantabhadra is not a guide or a teacher, but rather the very nature of the enlightened mind itself. His Sanskrit name translates to ‘All-Pervading Goodness’ or ‘Always Auspicious.’
To symbolize pure, uncorrupted awareness, he is typically depicted completely naked (unstained by conceptual or dualistic thoughts) and sky-blue in color (representing the vast, all-encompassing, and empty nature of space).
In Sacred Embrace with Samantabhadri
Samantabhadra is frequently portrayed in a yab-yum (sacred embrace) with his white-colored consort, Samantabhadri. Together, they symbolize the indivisible union of wisdom (emptiness) and compassion (method).
In addition to the drawing sessions, you will learn everything about the subject, its iconography and meaning through the lectures and meditations.
A traditional Venetian Palazzo (city palace) is where this course is being held at, on one of the canals with amazing views, in the center of Venice- From here you can easily explore the city on foot, take the vaporetto (water bus) to other parts of the city or other islands such as Murano (famous for its glasswork) or Burano (famous for its lace)
- This course is also perfect to combine with a visit famous Venice Art Biennale, that runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026
For whom?
This course is suitable for both beginners and advanced students. Carmen guides everyone at their own level and takes them to a higher one.
Is this is your first thangka course with Carmen?
Then you will traditionally first learn to draw the Face of the Buddha before you start on the subject. This can be done during the course, but if you want to immediately start with the subject in Venice -so you can make the most out of your time and maybe even finish your drawing- you can also do the Buddha Face Course beforehand Online at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art
Drawing a Buddha is a meditation in itself and creates inner peace and joy. When you’re a Buddhist practitioner, the drawing of the Buddha can improve your visualization meditation on a great scale. Buddhist lamas say: “When you draw a Buddha, you are drawing your own mind.”
For pics of a previous thangka course in Venice click here
More Info & Registration
For more information, cost and venue please click on the following tabs:
*Traditionally on Saturday evening our host, Gabriella, will offer a fabulous dinner party. This can be booked on the spot for €20 including dinner and all drinks. Price: Regular Price €295 (with €135 downpayment)* *The downpayment needs to be made upon registration, only then your space and/or Early Bird Price is secured. The remaining course fee of €160 is to be paid on location
Thu Nov 5 through Sun Nov 8, 2026:
Thursday evening: 19.30 – 21.30 Introduction + Lecture about the subject, ending with drinks and snacks
Friday: 10.00 – 18.00 (incl. 1hr lunch break)
Saturday: 10.00 – 18.00 (incl. 1hr lunch break) with our optional Dinner Party*
Sunday: 10.00 – 17.00 (incl. 1hr lunch break)
Early Bird Price (limited amount) €270 (with €110 downpayment)*
Including drinks and snacks after the lecture on Thu evening, and coffee/tea/biscuits/fruit during the rest of the course
Including drinks and snacks after the lecture on Thu evening, and coffee/tea/biscuits/fruit during the rest of the course
Thick drawing paper size 50x65cm
This is close to Piazzale Roma where the main train station of Venice S. Lucia is and all the busses arrive.
Palazzo Minotto /
Fondamenta Minotto n. 143 (Sestiere di Santa Croce)
Ring the bell ‘Pianizzola’ (and walk to the 2nd floor)
Venice,
Italy
– Check for ex. Booking.com or AirBnB.com for a hotel room or apartment.
– If you prefer to share a room or apartment with one of the other students you can let us know via the message box in the reservation form so we can bring you in contact with others that wish the same.
You can also check out the following hotels that are all near to where the thangka course takes place, and that we can recommend as the prices are not too high (for Venice standards). The people that run the B&B’s are friends of Giovanna Carraro (who co-organizes this course) and you may get a discount when you tell that you come for the thangka course that she organizes.
Salizada S.Pantalon n.84, Venezia
Phone: +39 041 5256057
Email: albergocasaperon(at)gmail.com
Albergo Marin
Phone: +39 041 718022 / email: info(at)albergomarin.it
Website: www.albergomarin.it
Hotel S.Geremia Alloggi Gerotto Calderan
Campo S.Geremia n.290, Venezia (close to train station and bus station)
Email: info(at)283.it
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Registration Form
After filling in the reservation form you’ll receive an email asap, requesting to make the downpayment. Only after making the downpayment your registration is complete and your space (or Early Bird Price) secured. If you haven’t received an email after 12hrs Please check your spam-folder.
se fee is €, incl. coffee/tea/biscuits/fruit. After filling in this reservation form, we will check if there’s still space (this course tends to fill up quickly) and will send you an email, requesting to make te downpayment of €108. Only after making this downpayment your registration is complete and your space secured (PS If you didn’t receive an email after 24hrs please check your spam-folder or contact us