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Omniscient Wisdom: Manjushri | Tibetan Art Retreat with Andy Weber
November 15 @ 7:00 pm - November 17 @ 5:00 pm
£7.50 – £108.00
Tibetan Art Retreat with Andy Weber
Have you ever wanted to learn how to paint traditional Tibetan art? We’re privileged to have renowned Tibetan thangka painter, Andy Weber, leading another workshop at Jamyang London Buddhist Centre. New students will be introduced to the principles of Tibetan art and older students will be able to practice and develop their skills.
What can I expect?
This art course will be conducted in semi retreat style and will be dedicated to the swift return of our precious guru Lama Zopa Rinpoche. H.H. Dalai Lama advised all the students of the FPMT to recite the mantra of Manjushri as often as possible.
MANJUSHRI (Sanskrit: Manjushri, Tib. Jampelyang) is the embodiment of the enlightened wisdom of all Buddhas realizing the ultimate nature of reality. His name can be translated as “Gentle Glory” and he is one of the most widely revered bodhisattvas in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. He is mostly depicted sitting in the vajra position (lotus position) on a moon and lotus cushion.
His body colour is golden yellow, symbolising wisdom (sun energy) and he wears the robes and ornaments of a bodhisattva. This colour in Tibetan is called “Mar.Ser”, where “Mar” stands for “mar.po” which equates to red, and “ser” means gold.
Students will receive hands-on tuition in drawing and painting the bodhisattva emanation. The painting style will focus on a small painting of Manjushri in the Mar.tang style – gold lines on a vermillion background. The painting technique will focus on natural colours and the making of your own gold paint. Not many artists know these secret techniques.
Description: Manjushri’s left hand holds the stem of a lotus flower, which supports the Prajnaparamita sutra (‘Perfection of Wisdom Sutra’), an important Mahayana text that reveals the methods for developing and realizing wisdom. His right hand holds a flaming sword symbolizing the power of wisdom, which cuts through ignorance, the root of all suffering. As such, the tip of the sword should be as thin as possible, so as to penetrate to the deepest source. The fire on the tip expresses transformation.
On this retreat, the daughter of Andy, Liza Weber, will be offering insights into Kum Nye Tibetan yoga and massage techniques. An accredited Kum Nye teacher with the Nyingma Institute in California, Liza seeks to enrich the thangka painter’s experience with a series of exercises that will guide them more deeply into their art practice. These exercises are suitable for all abilities: you do not need to be able to touch your toes, but you do need to be able to touch the feelings and sensations that will arise in your body from this simple, but no less profound, form of yoga!
Schedule
- Friday: 19:00 – 20:30 (Lecture)
- Saturday/Sunday: 09:30 – 13:00 & 14:30 – 17:30 (Painting)
What will I need?
The minimum you will need is the Drawing Material list, to learn how to draw Manjushri. In this case you would not need to bring brushes and inks. If you want to advance then you will need the supply of paints from the Art Materials list, as well as the brushes. If you want to make a big jump and progress in your learning, you will need some of the natural colours, so Andy can show you how to prepare them and make them into paints. If you want to learn how to prepare your own gold paint, then you will need to bring a book of loose gold leaf. Both natural colours and gold leaf are available at Cornelissens in London near the British Museum.
About the teacher: Andy Weber
Andy Weber spent seven years living and studying the iconographical art of Tibetan Buddhism under the guidance of accomplished masters in India and Nepal. His unique style of authentic images for visualisation are highly respected, not only by a growing number of Western Buddhists, but also by Tibetan Lamas of all traditions, many of whom have commissioned his work. His Tibetan Art and thangka paintings can be seen in Buddhist centres and temples throughout the world including the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and his images have become well-known and popular through numerous publications. With over 35 years of experience, Andy Weber and his students offer their artwork, services, and experience to the wider Dharma community.
Andy teaches all over the world. You can find out more about his studio on his website.
How do I join?
Book your ticket for the entire Tibetan Art Workshop from Friday to Sunday, or just the Friday lecture.
- Lunch will be available for purchase in the cafe on Saturday and Sunday.
- Reduce Rate Tickets upon request, (proof required). Please get in touch to request reduced rate: [email protected]
- Students, pensioners and unemployed: £78
