Home > Courses > Thangka Drawing Course ‘MILAREPA – Drawing the Famous Tibetan Yogi and Mystic, June 21+22 2025, Tibet House US

At Tibet House NYC, co-hosted by the Shantideva Center

Milarepa by Robert Beer

June 21 + 22, 2025 
Milarepa
Tibetan Yogi, Mystic and Poet
Thangka Drawing Course
Tibet House | NYC

During this weekend workshop in Manhattan -with renowned thangka painter Carmen Mensink from The Netherlands- you will learn to draw (and perhaps later paint) this inspiring yogi according to the tradition of thangka (Tibetan scroll paintings).

A True Inspiration
Milarepa (1052-1135), was a tantric yogi and mystic. He is known for his remarkable determination and personal growth, and his inspiring story describes the familiar human progression from confusion to clarity.
Milarepa is often illustrated as an ascetic in a meditation cave, with his right hand behind his ear. This ‘listening’ posture symbolizes his way of teaching the dharma through songs and poems.

Transformation
Milarepa’s early life was characterized by extreme suffering, which was reflected in the terrible negative actions he performed at a young age.
When he realized what he had done, Milarepa saw the light and -tormented by guilt and remorse- set out in search of insight and a teacher, which he found in the famous Marpa. Marpa relentlessly subjected him to one severe test after another, and taught him how to use his fierce and tenacious nature to transform his mind.
As a great tantric yogi, Milarepa achieved many spiritual experiences and eventually full enlightenment. His songs and poems on realization became famous.

In addition to the drawing sessions, you will learn everything about Milarepa’s life, his iconography and meaning through the included online lecture that is offered on June 19 (but can be watched within a week). You will also learn his mantra and how to work with it.

For whom?
This workshop is suitable from beginner to advanced thangka students. Carmen guides students each on their own level and brings them to a higher one.

Prerequisite: Buddha Face Workshop
If this is your first thangka course with Carmen you will need to traditionally have learned to draw Face of the Buddha before you start on Milarepa.
This can be done either Online at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art, or Onsite at Tibet House on the evening before

…Thangka drawing and painting is a meditation in itself, and creates inner calm and joy, and in this weekend you will definitely experience that!

More Info & Registration