Be it in a smile, shadow or light, a single moment frozen in time or a wall of sound enveloping the senses, a journey through immersion in sight and sound. My work is based on a continuing effort to bring the Dharma to this world through photography, video and music, and with it the naturally blossoming passionate expression of depth, color and light.
Dharma has a unifying force of tremendous power - the direct teachings of the Buddha and the Sangha - the Dharma community, those who continue to teach and practice across the world. My work is dedicated for the support of this activity and community, my sincere wish being that I can continue to offer my art to the world. My work is a labor of love. It means everything to me, and I have dedicated my life to this ideal with all I have. Dharma Imagery Project was conceived and created for this singular purpose, to continue to share my inspiration with the world, so that all may enjoy and take part in the incredible tradition, art and joy that the Dharma brings, to anyone and everyone, from all walks of life, across the planet.
I am so fortunate, grateful and excited to introduce this collection of my work. A Journey of Color and Light follows the passing of my teacher Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, from Renchen Ulm Germany, through the subsequent journey to India and Nepal for his cremation. This was an event that brought the worldwide Dharma community together like never before, truly showing Rinpoche’s amazing spirit and great heart, his life celebrated by all who had come into his great presence. This journey marks not only the passing of my teacher and guide, but the beginning of another adventure and path for us all as students, for now in the wake of Rinpoche’s life we are all continuing on this path together under the great teachings and guidance of Karmapa, and for this we are so very, very fortunate. From the ashes and sorrow comes new life and light, dedication and joy, purpose and gratitude.
For the second half of the exhibition we journey to Bodh Gaya, India for the Kagyu Monlam the following winter, presided over by the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje - Rinpoche’s spiritual son. This year’s Monlam marks the emergence of Karmapa with the absence of Shamar Rinpoche for the first time, and despite everyone’s sorrow with the passing of their teacher, we are met not with tears, but overwhelming joy and camaraderie. Inspiration and devotion abound as we all come together for seven days under the tree. This is a Journey of Color and Light, a journey that has changed many of us to our cores, and I have also made my own personal journey that has left me forever changed. As I find myself now, I am humbled to have been able to participate intimately in such a personal way, for seeing firsthand the voyage of Rinpoche’s Kudung one would believe that all hope would now be lost, but this just isn’t so. To have been a part of Rinpoche’s world is the greatest blessing I could ever ask for, and to have been present to see for myself the great power and compassion of Karmapa as he comes into his own, guiding us all completes this journey on a note of joy that makes my heart sing and fills me with the clear and confident understanding that we have nothing to fear, the future is full of possibility. We have all been through so very much together, but through this we have become stronger and more united, poised and ready, for with Karmapa at the helm we will always have light after the dark.
These photos represent the second half of the exhibition, equally important, as they show the possibility for joy in a year thought to be reserved only for sadness - a natural joy arising on its own, unstoppable and determined; the collective merit and compassion of our great Dharma family simply cannot be stopped - and I feel, in my humble personal opinion, that this is exactly what Rinpoche would have wanted.
From the grand Stupa de Benalmádena through photography, video and music, I invite you to come along on this journey with me - a great master’s final voyage and the transition to another master coming to his own - a Journey of Color and Light.
Dharma has a unifying force of tremendous power - the direct teachings of the Buddha and the Sangha - the Dharma community, those who continue to teach and practice across the world. My work is dedicated for the support of this activity and community, my sincere wish being that I can continue to offer my art to the world. My work is a labor of love. It means everything to me, and I have dedicated my life to this ideal with all I have. Dharma Imagery Project was conceived and created for this singular purpose, to continue to share my inspiration with the world, so that all may enjoy and take part in the incredible tradition, art and joy that the Dharma brings, to anyone and everyone, from all walks of life, across the planet.
I am so fortunate, grateful and excited to introduce this collection of my work. A Journey of Color and Light follows the passing of my teacher Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, from Renchen Ulm Germany, through the subsequent journey to India and Nepal for his cremation. This was an event that brought the worldwide Dharma community together like never before, truly showing Rinpoche’s amazing spirit and great heart, his life celebrated by all who had come into his great presence. This journey marks not only the passing of my teacher and guide, but the beginning of another adventure and path for us all as students, for now in the wake of Rinpoche’s life we are all continuing on this path together under the great teachings and guidance of Karmapa, and for this we are so very, very fortunate. From the ashes and sorrow comes new life and light, dedication and joy, purpose and gratitude.
For the second half of the exhibition we journey to Bodh Gaya, India for the Kagyu Monlam the following winter, presided over by the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje - Rinpoche’s spiritual son. This year’s Monlam marks the emergence of Karmapa with the absence of Shamar Rinpoche for the first time, and despite everyone’s sorrow with the passing of their teacher, we are met not with tears, but overwhelming joy and camaraderie. Inspiration and devotion abound as we all come together for seven days under the tree. This is a Journey of Color and Light, a journey that has changed many of us to our cores, and I have also made my own personal journey that has left me forever changed. As I find myself now, I am humbled to have been able to participate intimately in such a personal way, for seeing firsthand the voyage of Rinpoche’s Kudung one would believe that all hope would now be lost, but this just isn’t so. To have been a part of Rinpoche’s world is the greatest blessing I could ever ask for, and to have been present to see for myself the great power and compassion of Karmapa as he comes into his own, guiding us all completes this journey on a note of joy that makes my heart sing and fills me with the clear and confident understanding that we have nothing to fear, the future is full of possibility. We have all been through so very much together, but through this we have become stronger and more united, poised and ready, for with Karmapa at the helm we will always have light after the dark.
These photos represent the second half of the exhibition, equally important, as they show the possibility for joy in a year thought to be reserved only for sadness - a natural joy arising on its own, unstoppable and determined; the collective merit and compassion of our great Dharma family simply cannot be stopped - and I feel, in my humble personal opinion, that this is exactly what Rinpoche would have wanted.
From the grand Stupa de Benalmádena through photography, video and music, I invite you to come along on this journey with me - a great master’s final voyage and the transition to another master coming to his own - a Journey of Color and Light.
