Vajrasattva Yab Yum - Dorje Sempa w/ Consort

The practice of meditation and recitation of Buddha Vajrasattva is an extremely powerful method for bringing about purfication of body, speech and mind- particularly the emotional afflictions of anger and hatred. He is depicted here in union with his consort Dorje Nyema-karmo, who embraces her Lord holding a skull-cup in her left hand and curved knife in her right hand. Vajrasattva holds a vajra at his heart with his right hand and a bell at his hip with his left, symbolising the union of method and wisdom.

This Thangka was commissioned by Tashi Choling, Center for Buddhist Studies in Ashland Oregon, to be used as a support for visualization during their annual Vajrasattva retreat.

Mantra: OM VAJRA SATTVA HUM

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Amitabha

The Buddha of Limitless Light. He presides over the western Buddha realm of Great Bliss, known as Dewachen. Because of the intensity and power of the vows Amitabha made while a bodhisattva, his pure land is the easiest to be reborn in. There, beings have the optimum circumstances for accelerating on the path to liberation.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitabha is red in color (red being the color of love, compassion, and emotional energy). His direction is west and so he is envisioned as the (red) setting sun. He is seen as the supreme power and energy of nature, cast on an earthly plain, accessible to all sentient beings. For this reason he is considered one of the most popular of all Dhyani Buddhas.  His unique emblem is the lotus. He is thus associated with the attributes of the lotus: gentleness, openness, and purity.

Mantra: OM AMI DEWA HRI

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White Tara

There are two accounts of the origins of Tara: in one account a virtuous princess of ancient India vowed, upon attaining enlightenment, that she would always reincarnate in the female form to help beings. In another account, Tara was born from a lotus that sprang from the deity Avalokiteshvara's tears of pity as he surveyed the suffering of worldly existence.

Tara is known for her motherly noble qualities of loving kindness and protection. One of the generous qualities associated with Tara is her power to free beings from fears, such as natural disasters, wild animals, enemies, illness, demonic forces, poverty, mental affliction, and delusion. For this and many other reasons, Tara is one of the foremost manifestations of enlightened awareness and is beloved worldwide.

Mantra: OM TARE TUTTURE TURE SO HA

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Vajra Kilaya - Dorje Phurba

The wrathful heruka Vajra Kilaya embodies the enlightened activity of all the buddhas and whose practices of are known for being very effective for removing obstacles, destroying the forces hostile to compassion and purifying negativity.

This Thangka was commissioned by Tashi Choling, Center for Buddhist Studies, to be used as a support for visualization during their annual Vajra Kilaya Retreat.

 

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Kuntuzangpo/Kuntuzangmo - Samantabadhra with Consort

The primordial Buddha, depicted in union with his consort symbolizes the simultaneous union of pure appearance and emptiness.

From "The Great Perfection Prayer of Kuntuzangpo
The original ground of everything is uncompounded.
It is the self-originating infinite expanse, beyond expression,
Where not even the name of samsara or nirvana exists.
When realizing just this, you are a Buddha.
When not realizing this, you are a sentient being wandering in samsara.
May all sentient beings of the three realms realize
The true meaning of this inexpressible original ground!

 

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Throma Nagmo

The Wrathful Dakini, represents the innermost secret aspect of the dakini, the feminine embodiment of wisdom. The Chod practice of Throma Nagmo provides us with an extremely powerful means to cut through the dualistic clinging of mind, the root of suffering, thus revealing our inherent wisdom nature.

The practice of Throma contains the complete path of the Vajrayana, from ngondro (the preliminary practices) all the way through the Dzogchen (Great Perfection) practices of trekchod and thogal. The Throma-based practice of Chod removes obstacles, both for our short-term happiness and those hindering our ultimate enlightenment. It carries extraordinary healing power and through its practice one can accummulate merit and wisdom in a vast and rapid way. Merely making a connection to Throma practice brings great benefit and blessings.

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Dorje Drolod ~ Dudjom Lineage

Dorje Drolod is the eighth aspect of Padmasambhava. In this wrathful manifestation, Droje Drolo embodies the forces of insight and compassion beyond logic and convention. Hesitancy and clinging are transformed into the fearlessness and spontaneity of the awakened state. As Dorje Drolod, the great master appears riding on a tiger and fearlessly treading underfoot the ever-deceptive ego and severing karmic entanglements by wielding his phurba.

In the eighth century, Padmasambhava manifested as Dorje Drolod to subdue the wild and untamed forces that opposed the building of the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet. Dorje Drolod not only conquered these demonic forces, but bound them under oath to support and defend the compassionate teachings from that time forward.

This thangka was painted many years go my my teacher Lama Sonam Tsering. He has graciously given permission to offer prints for sale through this web site.

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Green Tara

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition there are 21 manifestations of Arya Tara, who is known as the female Buddha. Tara may manifest in a peaceful, expansive, magnetizing, or wrathful wisdom form to enact her enlightened activities. Of the 21 manifestations, Green Tara is the most dynamic.

She sits in the posture of ease. Her right leg is outstretched symbolizing her readiness to act while her left leg is drawn back in a contemplative position on the lotus seat. Her left hand in the gesture or mudra of granting refuge in the Three Jewels, holds a blue lotus flower that floats over her left shoulder as a symbol of purity and power. Her right hand is extended in the mudra of generosity. Her youthful beauty has the power to inspire great devotion.

Mantra: OM TURE TUTTURE TURE SO HA

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Guru Rinpoche - Padmasambhava

Guru Rinpoche brought Buddhism from India to Tibet in the 8th century and is especially revered by practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. Guru Rinpoche promised, “I will come to remove the suffering of the people on the tenth day of every moon. Do not forget to pray."

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Thank You for Visiting Choying Art

The Thangkas and various Dharma Arts exhibited in this virtual gallery are products of many years of study and effort to provide, for Dharma students, images that will serve as supports for practice and visualization.

I've been studying the dharma arts and thangka painting since 1999 under the guidance of my mentor and teacher, Lama Sonam Tsering. It is my goal to correctly portray the iconic figures of Tibetan Buddhism following the Karma Gadri and Mendri traditions.

I have worked on a variety of projects at Tashi Chöling (Ashland, OR), Orgyen Dorje Den (Alameda, CA) and Tara's Refuge (Mt. Shasta, CA).  In 2008, I traveled to Austin, Texas to help gild a 16 ft Guru Rinpoche statue. Last year I had an opportunity to work with my teacher at Tashi Choling as he created a beautiful Vimalamitra statue. I am currently teaching Thangka painting at Tashi Chöling and focusing my energy, at home in northern California, painting thangkas, restoring statues and occasionally gilding small statues for Buddhist practitioners.

May all beings benefit!