Home > Classes > Upcoming thangka courses > Thangka Weekend Course Chenrezig, Venice, Italy, Oct 10-13, 2019
Chenrezig (Skt.: Avalokiteshvara)
The Buddha of Great Compassion
Thu 10 to Sun 13 Oct 2019
> Advanced thangka students may choose the 8-armed or 1000-armed Chenrezig instead <
In this extended weekend course, held at a typical Venetian Palace on a canal in Venice’s historical center, you will learn how to draw Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, according to the tradition of Tibetan Buddhist thangkas (Tibetan scroll paintings).
The Sanskrit name of Chenrezig, Avalokiteshvara, means the ‘One who hears the cries of the world’, and he’s the Bodhisattva of Compassion and Protector of Tibet. The Dalai Lama is considered to be his earthly incarnation.
Long ago Chenrezig vowed not to return to Nirvana until all sentient beings were liberated from their suffering. In his 4-armed form he represents the Four Immeasurable Qualities of a Bodhisattva: compassion, love, joy and equanimity.
Advanced thangka students can choose to start with Chenrezig’s 8-armed or even 1000-armed version.
This wonderful deity reminds us that true awakening is not a retreat nor escape from our personal problems, but rather reaching outward and embracing the entire world with the compassion and love in our heart.
Included in this course are meditations on Chenrezig, slideshows & talks on his symbolism, and a lot of individual guidance.
You will also learn the meaning of and how to work with his famous mantra OM MANI PADME HUM
The course is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever.
Carmen Mensink will guide students through the cultural/historical context of thangkas and symbolism within Tibetan-Buddhist art through the combination of art, slide shows and meditations.
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.”
The course will be given in English -with an Italian translation- and is suitable for both complete beginners and advanced thangka students. Beginner students will first draw a Buddha Face before moving onto the complete Buddha.
If you want to turn your thangka drawing of Chenrezig into a painted thangka you are welcome to do so in one of the longer art courses, such as the Thangka Retreat Italy from 12-21 June 2020, where you will learn the traditional thangka painting techniques, and Carmen will guide you through the thangka painting process.
More Info & Registration
For more information, cost and venue please check out the following:
Check out the pictures of the previous Mandala of Green Tara thangka course!
More pictures of the International Thangka Courses in Venice can be found here
Even more pics of the Buddhist Art Courses in Venice, Italy, can be found here
Come join us and create art in the most beautiful city in the world!