From my days in KIBI I know the great Norbu-la, the wonderfully kind hearted, tradition steeped, ultra dedicated and extremely talented individual responsible for so many of the statues and thankas that we all hold dear, and for holding steady and strong the culture and deep seated traditional tibetan artwork that adorns our walls, monasteries, statues and gompas the world over. He is the official source of the keeping of tradition, the world of Tibetan religious artwork is vast, detailed and laborious, every single line and color holds not only history and lineage, but a greatly complicated and extensive set of particulars that must be followed to a “T”, and no man is trusted more with this honored task than Norbu-la himself.
His work is legendary, beautiful, incredibly detailed and labor intensive, passing days if not weeks in the same position carefully addressing each minute detail as if it was the last and most important thing he will ever do. He is a true artist, traveling the world over non stop with his faithful team, his work is simply unparalleled. One of his many specialities? The face of Buddha, and at this very moment he is in the gompa in Dhagpo Kagyu Ling working away tirelessly doing just that. The incredible statue that adorns the back wall of the institute, the wondrous backdrop to all the teachings and great masters who have already blessed this hall is a thing of beauty, with its gold shimmering against a wall of dark matte muted blue and black that brings out the metallic sheen and regality of the masterpiece is now being finished, the eyes being opened for the first time. This is a joyous occasion as it signifies that the statue is now complete, the final touches to the face and the opening of the eyes is sacred, the filling ceremony and final blessing just days away, this is an especially rare moment, and it is such a privilege to watch him do his magic work.
Last evening we were all treated to a special lecture by Khenpo Chodrak, with the designation of a history of Dhagpo, a subject that he knows more about than most. Interfolded into stories of how the center came to be emerged a very personal presentation on both the life and the extremely auspicious birth of Lama Jigme Rinpoche, Dhagpo’s more than beloved spiritual head and guide to us all. Khenpo, with his amazing bright smile and famous voice filled the hall of Dhagpo’s institute, regaling us all with stories only he would know, intertwining a detailed history and personal stories of his youth alongside Rinpoche growing up. As the Buddha statue is being worked on simultaneously, along with Khenpo’s daily teachings for his course here, a scaffolding is now seated behind Khenpo where Norbu-la and his dedicated and constantly present assistant - apprentice - devotees are now perched, painting away as Khenpo teaches to a hall full of students. His team travels with him all year round, a group of incredibly talented and dedicated painters and artists themselves, proving of course that the very best requires and accepts only the very best for themselves as well. Seeing the team here brings me back to days spent in KIBI where we would see each other every day, joining them for their well deserved tea break in the afternoons. We are extremely fortunate to have a team like this - both their dedication and talent brings our lineage and the world over such joy and tradition we might otherwise lose without them.
During the Karmapa event the statue will be blessed, the filling process will be complete, and therefore the eyes which were previously unpainted and closed will now be open. There are great things happening here in Dhagpo at the moment, preparations and activity all over, we are all so lucky to be here with Khenpo and Norbu alongside each other, sharing the space, teachings on Dharma and the unveiling of the statue’s final details in the same moment. Seeing them up on the scaffolding as Khenpo teaches brings the effect full circle, what a space to be in, to watch as it all unfolds and develops, I find myself checking in every few hours to see as another detail comes to life. This statue is particularly special to me as I have seen the glowing face countless times, with all the teachers and masters that have sat on this stage, this beautiful statue has always been visible, a golden silhouetted form behind, and the ever iconic background. The statue is now on the verge of completion, the face will now be finished, the eyes of Buddha open, their eyes gaze fixed and alert upon all those who are lucky enough to be in its presence will be there for many years to come.
His work is legendary, beautiful, incredibly detailed and labor intensive, passing days if not weeks in the same position carefully addressing each minute detail as if it was the last and most important thing he will ever do. He is a true artist, traveling the world over non stop with his faithful team, his work is simply unparalleled. One of his many specialities? The face of Buddha, and at this very moment he is in the gompa in Dhagpo Kagyu Ling working away tirelessly doing just that. The incredible statue that adorns the back wall of the institute, the wondrous backdrop to all the teachings and great masters who have already blessed this hall is a thing of beauty, with its gold shimmering against a wall of dark matte muted blue and black that brings out the metallic sheen and regality of the masterpiece is now being finished, the eyes being opened for the first time. This is a joyous occasion as it signifies that the statue is now complete, the final touches to the face and the opening of the eyes is sacred, the filling ceremony and final blessing just days away, this is an especially rare moment, and it is such a privilege to watch him do his magic work.
Last evening we were all treated to a special lecture by Khenpo Chodrak, with the designation of a history of Dhagpo, a subject that he knows more about than most. Interfolded into stories of how the center came to be emerged a very personal presentation on both the life and the extremely auspicious birth of Lama Jigme Rinpoche, Dhagpo’s more than beloved spiritual head and guide to us all. Khenpo, with his amazing bright smile and famous voice filled the hall of Dhagpo’s institute, regaling us all with stories only he would know, intertwining a detailed history and personal stories of his youth alongside Rinpoche growing up. As the Buddha statue is being worked on simultaneously, along with Khenpo’s daily teachings for his course here, a scaffolding is now seated behind Khenpo where Norbu-la and his dedicated and constantly present assistant - apprentice - devotees are now perched, painting away as Khenpo teaches to a hall full of students. His team travels with him all year round, a group of incredibly talented and dedicated painters and artists themselves, proving of course that the very best requires and accepts only the very best for themselves as well. Seeing the team here brings me back to days spent in KIBI where we would see each other every day, joining them for their well deserved tea break in the afternoons. We are extremely fortunate to have a team like this - both their dedication and talent brings our lineage and the world over such joy and tradition we might otherwise lose without them.
During the Karmapa event the statue will be blessed, the filling process will be complete, and therefore the eyes which were previously unpainted and closed will now be open. There are great things happening here in Dhagpo at the moment, preparations and activity all over, we are all so lucky to be here with Khenpo and Norbu alongside each other, sharing the space, teachings on Dharma and the unveiling of the statue’s final details in the same moment. Seeing them up on the scaffolding as Khenpo teaches brings the effect full circle, what a space to be in, to watch as it all unfolds and develops, I find myself checking in every few hours to see as another detail comes to life. This statue is particularly special to me as I have seen the glowing face countless times, with all the teachers and masters that have sat on this stage, this beautiful statue has always been visible, a golden silhouetted form behind, and the ever iconic background. The statue is now on the verge of completion, the face will now be finished, the eyes of Buddha open, their eyes gaze fixed and alert upon all those who are lucky enough to be in its presence will be there for many years to come.
