Page 2 – Art, Buddhism & Thangka Painting Courses by Carmen Mensink

Upcoming Thangka Painting Retreats in ITALY 🇮🇹 and the US 🇺🇸

Join the upcoming Thangka Painting Retreats in ITALY or the US

The Art of Thangka can be best learned and practiced in a retreat setting -a place where you’ll also stay and where dinner is served to you so you can fully focus on your drawing/painting. In addition there’s time to bond and socialize with other students, make long walks or do some sightseeing (Florence, anyone?).

You can still sign up for the upcoming Thangka Art Retreats in Italy / May 10-17 and in the US / June 29-July 4 or 6

The one in The Netherlands will be from Jul 27-Aug 3

All retreats offer different subjects to choose from and are suitable for students on all levels, including absolute beginners.

Any questions? Just reply to this email and I’ll get back to you asap.

🇮🇹 Read this description in Italian or another language / This retreat is taught in

English, translation in Italian or any other language is provided on request

Thangka Painting Retreat Tuscany(near Florence)

May 10-17

> Two weeks left to register

Different drawing/painting subjects to choose from / Lodging and dinners included / Free time to visit Florence

In this wonderful 8-day Thangka Retreat in Italy you will learn to draw (and color or paint) a Buddha or Mandala according to the Tibetan Buddhist thangka tradition.
Suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced.

A comfortable stay with full board is included, and apart from the art sessions you will learn so much more through the lectures, meditations and movies that are offered. And of course there’s free time to visit Florence.

READ MORE + REGISTER NOW

Introduction to Thangka Art Jun 20 / Tibet House, NYC
Evening class incl. drawing the face of the Buddha
In this wonderful 6 or 8-day Thangka Retreat during Arts Week at Omega Institute you will learn to draw (and color or paint) a Buddha of Compassion (such as Chenrezig or Guan Yin), according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced.

A comfortable stay with full board is included, or stay near in the sweet town of Rinebeck.

and apart from the art sessions you will learn so much more through the lectures, meditations and movies that are offered. And of course there’s free time to visit Florence.

READ MORE + REGISTER NOW

Milarepa, Tibet’s most famous Yogi and Mystic
Jun 21+22 / Tibet House, NYC
Weekend Course The Most Famous Tibetan Yogi and MysticThe Most Famous Tibetan Yogi and MysticThe Most Famous Tibetan Yogi and MysticiThe Most Famous Tibetan Yogi and Mysticncl. materials
In this wonderful 6 or 8-day Thangka Retreat during Arts Week at Omega Institute you will learn to draw (and color or paint) a Buddha of Compassion (such as Chenrezig or Guan Yin), according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced.

A comfortable stay with full board is included, or stay near in the sweet town of Rinebeck.

and apart from the art sessions you will learn so much more through the lectures, meditations and movies that are offered. And of course there’s free time to visit Florence.

READ MORE + REGISTER NOW

Thangka Painting Retreat USA Omega Institute

Jun 29 – Jul 4 or 6 / Rhinebeck, NY

Buddhas of Compassion: different drawing/painting subjects to choose from / Lodging and dinners included
This retreat can be joined for six or eight days.
In this wonderful 6 or 8-day Thangka Retreat during Arts Week at Omega Institute you will learn to draw (and color or paint) a Buddha of Compassion (such as Chenrezig or Guan Yin), according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced.

A comfortable stay with full board is included, or stay near in the sweet town of Rinebeck.

and apart from the art sessions you will learn so much more through the lectures, meditations and movies that are offered. And of course there’s free time to visit Florence.

READ MORE + REGISTER NOW

Upcoming Online Classes

The Buddha

Learn to draw the historical Buddha of our time
May 9-Jul 6

> Last week to register
In this wonderful 6 or 8-day Thangka Retreat during Arts Week at Omega Institute you will learn to draw (and color or paint) a Buddha of Compassion (such as Chenrezig or Guan Yin), according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced.

A comfortable stay with full board is included, or stay near in the sweet town of Rinebeck.

and apart from the art sessions you will learn so much more through the lectures, meditations and movies that are offered. And of course there’s free time to visit Florence.

READ MORE + REGISTER NOW

6789

Medicine Buddha
Learn to draw the blue Buddha of Healing
May 9-Jul 6

> Last week to register
In this wonderful 6 or 8-day Thangka Retreat during Arts Week at Omega Institute you will learn to draw (and color or paint) a Buddha of Compassion (such as Chenrezig or Guan Yin), according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced.

A comfortable stay with full board is included, or stay near in the sweet town of Rinebeck.

and apart from the art sessions you will learn so much more through the lectures, meditations and movies that are offered. And of course there’s free time to visit Florence.

READ MORE + REGISTER NOW

List of All Upcoming Classes

June 29-July 4 or 6 USA / NY Omega Institute Thangka Retreat

July 27-Aug 3 Loenen (Veluwe) Thangka Zomerretraite

Nov 6-9 Venice, Italy 4-day Thangka Art Course

PS
Some pictures of last year’s Thangka Painting Retreat in Tuscany:

And some pictures of last year’s Thangka Painting Retreat in the US:::

Got any questions?
Just reply to this email.

PS
Tara says Hello to you ❤️

Winners of the Happy Losar 2025 prizes 🌷Last Day Discounts on online courses

Click here for Google Translate and use the orange button

Dear Reader,

Hope you enjoyed the Tibetan New Year celebrations online with me or with your family or sangha!

In this email I’m letting you know who won the prizes that were in the Happy Losar 2025 Gift Pack.

It may also be nice to know that you can still purchase online courses with discounts today.

Winners of the Happy Losar 2025 prizes 🎉
Losar -Tibetan New Tear- was celebrated on Feb 28 and it’s the perfect time to exchange gifts.

In the past few years it has become tradition that the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art offers a Happy Losar Gift Pack with all kinds of gifts during this time, such as lectures, mantras, downloads and things to win.
Here are the winners of this year’s prizes:

Winner of the Buddha Face Thangka Art Course
Lim Xiang, Singapore

Winner of the Set Medicine Buddha + Healing Plants magnets
Angelika Galezowska, Sweden

Winner of the Set Thangka Art Cards in folder
Keith D’Agostino, USA

All winners were personally informed by me and prizes are on the way.

Everybody who joined the competitions but did not win also received an email about it. If you didn’t see this mail please check your spam folder (and mark the sender as safe).

How I celebrated Losar this year
My Losar was at Buddhist Center Maitreya Institute in The Netherlands, where I offered a four-day thangka course on the Eight Auspicious Symbols, a perfect subject for Tibetan New Year.

Students also worked on their other subjects, and a few thangkas were finished on the day of Losar, which is an auspicious day to do so.

On the morning itself our group created the most beautiful offerings, made of flowers and food

That were placed on the altars in the gompa (meditation hall)

Where later a special puja was held that we attended with our group, followed by a festive lunch, before continuing to work on our artworks again. It was great celebrating Losar with my students this way!

Want to join an in-person workshop? Check out my schedule

Discount on online thangka courses still valid today

15% Discount on a Single Course with code 15-PERCENT-OFF

20% Discount on a Two-Course Bundle with code 20-PERCENT-OFF

25% Discount on a Three-Course Bundle with code 25-PERCENT-OFF

Go to the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art
and choose your online cours(e) with discount

A few spaces left for the
Thangka Art Retreat in Italy 🇮🇹

May 10-17, 2025, near Florence

Retreat is offered in English, translations can be provided on request.

Join me for a wonderful trip in drawing and painting Buddhas and Mandalas on an amazing location (see pics above) near Florence. Suitable for everybody from beginners to advanced. All lodging and meals included.

YES! I want to join this Thangka Art Retreat

Any questions?
Just contact me by replying to this email.

Happy Losar 2025 – Tibetan New Year! 🎁 Enjoy GIFTS 🎉 WIN a Course 💰 Get DISCOUNTS

For translation click here and use the Google Translate button

Happy Losar to you dear Reader!

Tibetan New Year is the perfect time to exchange gifts, and that’s why the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art offers you the free course ‘Happy Losar 2025’ which is full of it!

Read all about this year of the Wood Snake and what it entails for you, learn about serpents and nagas used in Tibetan art, explore a 17th century thangka and enjoy free lectures such as the one on Buddhas’ birth, meditations, mantras, downloads, discounts and prizes to win!

Enroll in ‘Happy Losar 2025’ at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art:

🎉Get Your HAPPY LOSAR 2025 Gifts! 🎉
+ Win a Free Course + Get Discounts

If you don’t have an account at the School yet, sign up with your most used email address and a password that you can remember for next time you visit the school.

If you are already signed in, ‘Happy Losar 2025’ can also be found under ‘My Products’

Please pass on this email to those who are interested.

PS
Happy Losar 2025 will be available for you under ‘My Products’ until the end of this weekend (in all time zones). The discounts on online courses will be valid through Mon Mar 3.

Tara’s counting down to Losar 😻 Just two more nights to go!

For translation click here and use the Google Translate button

Tara’s counting down to Losar 🎉This Fri it’s Losar, Tibetan New Year, and as this is the perfect time to offer gifts to each other, the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art if offering you a bunch of gifts like Lectures, Mantras, downloads, Prizes and Discounts. Valid throughout the weekend.

Just two more nights to go!
You can already activate the link and count down with us:

Count Down With US To Happy Losar 2025 🎉

Keep also an eye on the newsletter this Fri and/or check the Facebook and Instagram pages.

Preparations for Losar 🌷 Five more nights to go!

For translation click here and use the Google Translate button

Tara’s counting down to Losar: Five more nights to go! 🎉
This Fri on February 28, 2025, the Lunar New Year will begin, and the Tibetans are celebrating Losar, Tibetan New year.
Losar is celebrated for fifteen days, with the main celebrations on the first three days.

Gifts, Prizes and Discounts for you
And as this is a perfect time to offer gifts you can expect to get a bunch of Gifts, Prizes and Discounts at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art, valid throughout the weekend.

Just five more nights!
Keep an eye on the newsletter this Fri that has the link in it and/or check the Facebook and Instagram pages.

Preparations for Losar
Tibetans often start one month before Losar with all the preparations, such as food and new clothing. It is considered very auspiciously to look good and great during the time of celebration.

One of the essential preparations is the making of Khapse, a deep-fried dough. Khapse can be used both as offerings on the buddhist altars and as a snack.

Traditionally for large families a ton of khapse is prepared for the new year. It is believed that the structure and strength of your khapse offering can show you how your family will be -in terms of structure and strength- in the new year to come.

Wishing you a Buddhaful 2025! 🥂 Time to make your creative plans for this year 🎉

NETHERLANDS Amsterdam and Veluwe

Jan 5 + 26 Den Haag Thangka Tekendagen

ITALY Tuscany

USA East Coast

* These longer eight day thangka retreats offer you even more depth and are more focused on the complete process of creating a thangka, including the landscape and drawing and painting techniques

More thangka classes will be added throughout the year, and you will be notified via this newsletter and the website.

Any questions? Just reply to this email.

Tara traveling back to Amsterdam with me after the holidays, in her special rucksack. She also wishes you a wonderful new year full of cats 😻

PS
Tara says Hello to you ❤️

Which Thangka Painting Retreat do you want to join this year? 🌷

Which Thangka Painting Retreat are you joining this year?

The Art of Thangka can be best learned and practiced in a retreat setting – a place where you’ll also stay and where dinner is served to you so you can fully focus on your drawing/painting. In addition there’s time to bond and socialize with other students, make long walks or do some sightseeing (Florence, anyone?).

In a retreat week you can also learn to work with the traditional thangka painting techniques, so it gives a much deeper experience than a day class or weekend workshop.

All retreats offer different subjects to choose from and are suitable for all levels, including absolute beginners.

This year I’m offering three retreat weeks; in Italy, the US and in The Netherlands, which one do you choose?

🇮🇹 Read this description in Italian or another language / This retreat is taught in

English, translation in Italian or any other language is provided on request

Thangka Painting Retreat Italy

Tuscany, near Florence

May 10-17
Different subjects to choose from

In this wonderful 8-day Thangka Retreat in Italy you will learn to draw (and color or paint) a Buddha or Mandala according to the Tibetan Buddhist thangka tradition.
Suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced.

READ MORE + REGISTER

This retreat can be joined for six or eight days. The longer retreat will give you an even

A Merry Christmas 🎄 from Carmen and Tara

Happy Losar 2024 – Tibetan New Year! 🎁 Get FREE Gifts 🎉 WIN a Course 💰 Get DISCOUNTS

For translation click here and use the Google Translate button

Happy Losar to you dear Reader!

Tibetan New Year is the perfect time to offer gifts, and the free course ‘Happy Losar 2024’ is full of it!
Read all about this year of the Wood Dragon, learn about dragons’ blood, dragons on thangkas and enjoy free lectures, meditations, mantras, downloads, discounts and things to win!

Enroll in ‘Happy Losar 2024’ at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art:

🎉Get Your HAPPY LOSAR 2024 Gifts! 🎉
+ Win a Free Course + Get Discounts

If you don’t have an account at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art yet, sign up with your most used email address and a password that you can remember for next time you visit the school.

If you are already signed in, ‘Happy Losar 2024’ can also be found under ‘My Products’

Please pass on this email to those who are interested.

PS
Happy Losar 2024 will be available for you under ‘My Products’ until the end of this weekend (in all time zones). Also the discounts are valid until the end of the weekend.

Preparing for the Thangka Courses in the US and Italy – Make use of the opportunity and join 🎉

Hi Reader!

…Just wanted to let you know that I’m currently preparing for the upcoming courses in Rhinebeck, NY and NYC. Looking forward to coming to the East Coast again and I hope you are too.

The last weekend of Oct is reserved for a special course in Venice, Italy. A must-join and must-see if you’ve never visited this magnificent city.

Check them all out below.
Carmen

YOU CAN STILL REGISTER!
Make use of the opportunity this year and join me for an onsite thangka course in the US:

Thangka Art Retreat

Omega Institute NY
Sep 24-29, 2023

Learn to draw and paint a Buddha or Mandala, and enjoy lectures on Tibetan Art during this meditative retreat with like-minded people, at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY.

Suitable for students on all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced.
Including lodging and all meals.

As students are on different levels (you don’t need to have drawing experience) and thus will be working on different subjects such as The Buddha, The Medicine Buddha, White Tara, Green Tara or a Mandala.

After your registration please contact me directly (by replying to this email for ex.) about your preferred subject so I can prepare this for you.

REGISTER HERE

Face of the Buddha Evening Workshop

Tibet House NYC

Oct 5, 2023
Join me for a wonderful evening at Tibet House!
Don’t miss this workshop if you want to learn more about Tibetan Art.

It’s the perfect introduction to thangka, where you will learn how to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Also suitable for people with no drawing experience whatsoever.

After this workshop you can also join the

REGISTER HERE

Manjushri,
Buddha of Wisdom
Weekend Course

Shantideva Ctr, NYC
Oct 6-8, 2023

This weekend you will learn how to draw the beautiful Manjushri -the Embodiment of the Great Wisdom of all the Buddhas- according to the Tibetan tradition or thangka.

New students can learn to draw the historical Buddha.

REGISTER HERE

Or join me for a course in the most beautiful city in the world:

Vajrayogini
The Buddha
Medicine Buddha

Venice, Italy

Oct 26-29, 2023
A four-day course for advanced students who can learn to draw Vajrayogini.
Beginner and intermediate students are also welcome to join and can choose to draw The Buddha or the Medicine Buddha.

…Combine an amazing course with an amazing city!

REGISTER HERE

Any questions?
Just contact me by replying to this email.

PS
The next course in The Netherlands will be from 23-26 Nov, with Offering Goddesses as a subject (this course will be in Dutch but translations can be provided on request).

A pic of some happy flowers that I made on my walk today

☀️ Teken of Schilder een Thangka deze zomer! ☀️

GEEF JE NU OP VOOR DE

THANGKA RETRAITE 2023!
5-12 Augustus
Loenen op de Veluwe
Een speciale Zomerweek waarin je zelf Tibetaanse Kunst leert maken
en hier alles over leert door middel van lezingen, meditaties etc.
Ook is er genoeg vrije tijd om heerlijke wandelingen te maken en bijv.
de oude papierfabriek te bezoeken.

In een Boeddhistisch centrum op de Veluwe, inclusief alle overnachtingen en alle heerlijke veg. maaltijden.
Geschikt voor cursisten op alle niveaus, van beginners (ja, ook voor mensen zonder tekenervaring!) tot gevorderden.

Een eenpersoonskamer met eigen douche en toilet is mogelijk.
Geef dit even aan bij je registratie.

Meer informatie op mijn website

Directe aanmeldlink

Heb je nog vragen over deze retraite?
Laat het me weten door te antwoorden op deze mail.

Did the Pigeons fly out? And more updates on retreats and birthdays in this newsletter!

Dear Reader,

On this very hot day in Amsterdam I would like to share different things, from the Dalai Lama’s birthday to pictures of the recent Italy Thangka Retreat to news and updates on the upcoming retreats (it would be great if you could join!). Plus of course an update on the cheeky Amsterdam pigeons that nested on my balcony…

The Dalai Lama’s 88th Birthday
On July 6th, HH. the Dalai Lama celebrated his 88th birthday! He recorded a special birthday message and attended the celebrations that were held for him. Check out the pictures at his main temple in Dharamsala, India.

Join a retreat this Summer or Fall!

Don’t miss the opportunity to join one of the upcoming thangka drawing and painting retreats in The Netherlands and the US!
Also the four day course in Venice is now open for registration.

Thangka Art Retreat

Netherlands, 5-12 Aug

Learn to draw and paint Buddhist art and enjoy lectures, meditation and free time with like-minded people.
Suitable for students on all levels. Including lodging and all meals.

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

Thangka Art Retreat

USA, 24-29 Sep

Learn to draw and paint Buddhist art and enjoy lectures, meditation and the beautiful premises of Omega Institute with like-minded people. Suitable for students on all levels. Including lodging and all meals.

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

Classes in NYC
After the retreat at Omega I will offer classes in NYC, most probably on Oct 6/7/8. Save the date and keep an eye on the website and this newsletter!

Thangka Art Course

Venice, Italy,
26-29 Oct

I’m so happy to announce that we can organize this four day thangka drawing course in the most beautiful city in the world again! Held in a traditional Venetian Palazzo on one of the canals, with beautiful views.

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

Pics of the Italy Retreat
I just came back from the 10-day Thangka Drawing & Painting Retreat in Italy. We had an amazing time with a great group of people and apart from the beautiful artworks that were made, there was time for relaxing, sightseeing and new friendships. Check out the pics here!

Online Thangka Courses – Save the Date!
Want to start your thangka journey this Summer? Then enroll in theBuddha Face Thangka Art Course that can be started anytime. This course can optionally be joined with the Colouring Techniques Course.

This Fall, the following online courses can be joined at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art. They will soon be opened for registration:

Sep 1 – 10, 2023 / Buddha Face
The wonderful face of the historical Buddha of our time.

Sep 15 – Nov 12, 2023 / White Tara
The beautiful female Buddha of Long Life, with the floating skirts and scarves around her body, and her seven wisdom eyes.

Nov 10 – Jan 21, 2024 / The Eight Auspicious Symbols
The most famous set of Tibetan Buddhist symbols, drawn/painted each by themselves or in a Mandala. As these symbols are often painted for the new year, you can take this opportunity to create them for an auspicious 2024.

Got any questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact me by replying to this email.

PS
Remember the pigeons that nested on my balcony and laid two eggs at the feet of the Buddha? 💚

Let me tell you more about them.

After they came out of the eggs they grew like crazy…

The parents (who were taking turns) worked so hard to feed them, day and night,

And that’s how pair of little monsters (I named them Love and Peace 😉 )

turned into proper pigeons in about three weeks.
There’s only two days between this pic and the previous one btw, this is how fast they grew. Can you believe it?

And then one day the parents didn’t show up anymore…
I was a bit worried, but soon the more daring pigeon (the one on the left) was trying out its wings and suddenly flew out,

leaving the more timid one all by itself… 🙁 It looked puzzled and was walking back and forth.
I didn’t know what to do or how to help him, but the next day this last pigeon decided to take the plunge as well and flew off from my balcony on the third floor.

I think it’s amazing that they didn’t even make short ‘trial flights’ on the balcony itself, but that they flew away in one go without having flown before.

I guess I have an empty-nest-syndrome now haha!
It was beautiful to observe this whole process from up-close.

My wish for these pigeons is that they will have a good and happy life, die in a peaceful and painless way, may be reborn in a human body, get in touch with the Dharma and may finally reach Enlightenment.

After they left I cleaned everything so I could use my balcony again, and I picked up Tara who was stayed with my parents until the pigeons flew out. She absolutely looooves being able to sit on the balcony again!

You can now sign up for Thangka Art Retreats 2023 in the US, Italy and The Netherlands! 🌸

Dear Reader,

Below an overview of the Thangka Art Retreats for 2023 in the US, Italy and The Netherlands that you can now sign up for!

In these retreats -that are longer than a regular course- we have the time to dive deeper into the subjects, I can offer a more personalized guidance (people on all levels are welcome), and I will teach the special thangka painting techniques.

Looking forward to welcoming you in class,
Carmen

REGISTER NOW
ITALY, 9-18 June
Thangka Painting Retreat Italy
An amazing thangka art retreat in one of the most beautiful places in Italy, in between mountains, olive gardens and picturesque villages. Including lodging
and all delicious veg. meals. Suitable for students on all levels, from beginners (also those with no drawing experience) to advanced. More Info and Registration
NOTE: This retreat is offered in English, translations can be provided on request

REGISTER NOW
NETHERLANDS, 5-12 August
Thangka Painting Retreat Netherlands
A special Summer Retreat Week in a wonderful Buddhist Center, including lodging and all delicious veg. meals. Suitable for students on all levels, from beginners (also those with no drawing experience) to advanced. More Info and Registration
NOTE: This retreat is offered in Dutch, translations can be provided on request

REGISTER NOW
USA, 24-29 September
Thangka Art Retreat at Omega Institute, US
Drawing and painting retreat at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY!
Including lodging and all delicious meals. Suitable for students on all levels, from beginners (also those with no drawing experience) to advanced. More Info and Registration
NOTE: This retreat is offered in English, translations can be provided on request

Any questions on these retreats?
Just contact me about it by replying to this email.

Join me on a boat trip, ice cream test or a walk in the mountains, and learn to paint a thangka in addition! 🎉

Dear Reader,

It’s not too late yet to register for the upcoming Thangka Drawing & Painting Retreats!

These retreats offer you to:

Dive even deeper into the subject(s)
Learn to work with the traditional Thangka Painting Techniques
Create a traditional Thangka canvas and frame (contact me beforehand for info)
Get lots of individual guidance, so these retreats are suitable for people on all levels (also beginners with no experience)
Meet likeminded people, have fun, recharge your batteries and have a great vacation

Any questions?

Just contact me by replying to this email!
Carmen

REGISTER NOW
ITALY, 9-18 June
Thangka Painting Retreat Italy

Subject: Citipati – the Dancing Skeletons, Buddha Shakyamuni, Medicine Buddha, or your own subject
Possibility to create a traditional thangka canvas

- An amazing thangka art retreat in one of the most beautiful places in Italy, in between mountains, olive gardens and picturesque villages. Including lodging
and all delicious veg. meals. Suitable for students on all levels, from beginners (also those with no drawing experience) to advanced.
– You can travel with Carmen (and other students) to the retreat center, via a beautiful boat trip over the Garda Lake.
– In your free time you can hike in the mountains, visite the nearby castle, visit Riva de Garda and take a swim, or explore the beautiful village of Arco, where you can eat the best Italian ice cream and drink a prosecco. More Info and Registration

NOTE: This retreat is offered in English, translations in any other language can be provided on request

Subject: Your own subject, Buddha Shakyamuni or Medicine Buddha
Possibility to create a traditional thangka canvas

- A special Summer Retreat Week in a wonderful Buddhist Center, including lodging (single rooms possible) and all delicious veg. meals. Suitable for students on all levels, from beginners (also those with no drawing experience) to advanced.
– In your free time you can make beautiful hikes, visit the old paper making mill, or take on an old steam train. More Info and Registration

NOTE: This retreat is offered in Dutch, translations in any other language can be provided on request

Subject: Green Tara, Buddha Shakyamuni, Medicine Buddha, or your own subject

– Drawing and painting retreat at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY!
Including lodging and all delicious meals. Suitable for students on all levels, from beginners (also those with no drawing experience) to advanced.
– In your free time there’s plenty to do on the premises, such as making walks, take a canoe ride, visit the nice shop, cafe, library, flower garden or sanctuary, or make an excursion to the sweet town of Rhinebeck. More Info and Registration

NOTE: This retreat is offered in English, translations in any other language can be provided on request

jkl;

About Lama Zopa Rinpoche, upcoming Thangka Classes and cheeky Amsterdam Pigeons

Dear Reader,

A little bit of everything in this email, starting with info on the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche:

Updates regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche
As you probably know, on April 13, at 9:30 a.m. Nepal time, the famous and beloved Lama Zopa Rinpoche entered his final meditation.

Here you can find Updates Regarding Lama Zopa Rinpoche

In addition to the updates, an ongoing livestream continues of the pujas offered twenty-four hours a day (apart from occasional breaks) at Kopan Monastery in front of Rinpoche’s holy body.

49th Day after the passing
Next week, on May 31, Heruka Lama Chopa with Tsog will be offered at Kopan Monastery on the occasion of the 49th day since Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s passing. All are welcome to join the livestream (same link as the one above).

A view of the offerings to be distributed to the crowd during the Long Life Offering Ceremony today

Long Life Puja for HH. the Dalai Lama
For many years Lama Zopa Rinpoche had made the request to offer a long-life puja to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on behalf of FPMT.
Today, May 24, this puja has been offered at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, India, on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s behalf.

Here you can read more about this event

Here you can watch the full video of this occasion

Yes, you can still sign up for the following retreats!

Thangka Art Retreat

Italy, 9-18 June

Learn to draw and paint Buddhist art and enjoy lectures, meditation and sightseeing with like-minded people. Suitable for students on all levels. Including lodging and all meals. You can travel with Carmen to this retreat via a boat trip over the Garda Lake.

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

Thangka Art Retreat

Netherlands, 5-12 Aug

Learn to draw and paint Buddhist art and enjoy lectures, meditation and free time with like-minded people.
Suitable for students on all levels. Including lodging and all meals.

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

Thangka Art Retreat

USA, 24-29 Sep

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

Classes in NYC
Before and/or after the above retreat in the US Carmen will offer classes in NYC. As soon as they’re confirmed they’ll be announced on the website and in this newsletter.

Online Courses
This Fall you can join online thangka courses again at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art. Dates will be announced soon.
The Buddha Face Course can also be started at any time.

Having a toast after the first evening lecture of the Venice course in 2017

Vajrayogini in Venice, Italy
I’m so happy to announce that from Oct 26-29 we’ll be organizing a course in Venice, Italy, again after years of absence during Covid.
The subject for advanced students will be Vajrayogini. For beginners and students with limited experience an alternative subject will be offered. Registration for this course will soon open.
If you already want to express your interest in joining please let me know via a reply to this email.

Got any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me by replying to this email.

PS
I’ve been traveling quite a bit through Europe lately for the arts, and when I came back to my apartment in Amsterdam a couple of weeks ago, I was met with some mess and a broken pot on my balcony.

When I looked up I saw the one who did it, a wood-pigeon who had made a nest – AT THE FEET OF THE BUDDHA!

Everyone in Amsterdam knows you do NOT want to have pigeons on your balcony because of the enormous mess they can create. I usually chase them away gently when they land on my balcony, but since they’ve built a nest here I’ll have to take care of them.

I told them that they won’t have to fear me, that they’ll be safe and I won’t disturb them, but that I do often have the door open and will drink my coffee there every day.

The most beautiful thing is that they literally took refuge in the Buddha 🙏🏼 so maybe there’s a connection here.

As they were so close it gave me lots of to observe them. The male and female pigeon take turns sitting on the nest (though the female takes on the most hours in a day…. what’s new), and they just there stoically on the nest for hours and hours, as if they were meditating.
The female sits on the nest for a week before the eggs are laid. Pigeons almost always lay two eggs as this one did too.

After about 17 days the little ones were born! I guess they must have good karma to be born at the feet of the Buddha.
I call them Love and Peace :-), names that one of my students suggested.

Fast forward to now: I can’t believe how fast they grow!
There is a week in between the previous pics and this one. They already turn more grey than yellow. They hardly make any mess yet. They should fly out around 22 days after they came out of the eggs.
Hope I’ll be around to see it.

Will keep you posted!

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