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Thangka Drawing & Painting Retreat in Italy
Vajrapani, Buddha of Infinite Power
In this wonderful 10-day thangka drawing & painting course in Italy you will learn to draw and color / paint Vajrapani, the Buddha of Infinite Power, according to the Tibetan-Buddhist thangka tradition, with the traditional coloring and thangka painting techniques.
Vajrapani has an active standing posture instead of the usual sitting meditation posture. In addition, he is deep blue in color, and the skin of a tiger has been wrapped around its waist, symbolizing its fearlessness.
Vajrapani’s hand gestures symbolize overcoming obstacles. He is adorned with jewels, but also with snakes, which he controls by the superior power of his compassion. He’s surrounded by flames of wisdom energy that come from all pores of his powerful body.
The Three Bodhisattvas
Vajrapani, together with Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri, form together the “Three Great Bodhisattvas,” which represent the three most important qualities –Compassion, Wisdom, and Power– that you need to develop if you want to make progress on the spiritual path.
Prefer to draw/paint Chenrezig or Manjushri?
As Vajrapani is more suitable for advance students, you may also choose to draw Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, or Vajrapani, the Buddha of Wisdom instead. If you prefer this, after your registration please contact Carmen with your preferred Buddha so she can prepare this for you.
The course is suitable for everyone, from beginners (even without any drawing experience) to advanced. Thangka students may also choose to finish their other artwork during this course (and will of course receive these new grid proportions as well).

Manjushri
Buddha of Infinite Wisdom

Vajrapani
Buddha of Infinite Power
Check out the 2019 pictures of the Thangka Painting Retreat here
Advantages of a long thangka retreat:
- In this 10-day painting course you can really go in-depth
- Including all nights and delicious Italian meals, with organic vegetables from own compound, freshly prepared every day with love
- Meet students from different countries and make new friends
- The course is set in Kushi Ling, the most beautiful Buddhist Centre of Italy, amidst the mountains and olive trees
- You can fly cheaply to Verona or Milan
- You can travel together with Carmen from Verona, Peschiera or Riva del Garda on the first day
- Great possibility to combine this retreat with vacation in Italy (e.g. to Lake Garda and Verona that are nearby)
You really don’t need any drawing or painting experience.
Carmen offers a lot of individual guidance, at your own level.
Halfway during the retreat there will be an afternoon off so you can taste the best ice cream in the nearest village of Arco, visit the Garda lake, hike in the mountains or have a great walk to ‘Castello’, the medieval castle on top of the hill overlooking Arco.
English and Italian
The teachings are given in English, and when needed can be translated in Italian by one of the advanced Italian students.
Want to travel together with other participants?
In the morning on the first day of the retreat, Carmen and some other students will travel together to Kushi Ling by taking the beautiful boat trip (around 9.45 AM) from Peschiera (not far from Verona) to Riva del Garda, where we will have lunch together and share a 20min. taxi ride to Kushi Ling.
If you want to join in Verona / Peschiera / Riva del Garda please contact Carmen about it.
More Info & Registration