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Creation process of “Maitreya” Thangka for his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

May 11, 2010

I had the privilege to create another large scale Thangka for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama who will be arriving to Bloomington, Indiana to visit the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center on May 11, 2010. For the Thangka, I chose to create a rare Diety called Maitreya (Tibetan: Jampa) symbolizing the future Buddha within and without everyone, who is expected to come to earth from Tushita Heaven. He is a Bodhisattva whose devotion spans both Theravedic (Hinayana) and Mahayana countries. He is supposed to reappear on earth in human form, for the deliverance of all sentient beings to enlightenment by revealing that which time and ignorance have covered. He will be the last of the five Buddhas to gain supreme enlightenment in this aeon. He holds the stock of a lotus in his right hand and is either represented standing or sitting.

I was delighted to get an opportunity to create another Thangka for His Holiness. The Maitreya’s teachings wish all sentient beings to rid loose of doubts, and the torrents of cravings, free from all misery crossing the ocean of becoming and as a result leading a holy life of oneness. The finished Thangka came out wonderful which was then beautifully embroidered by my wife Baja.

In the following days, I accompanied my Dharma Wheel class, led by our teacher Lama Tetum and headed to Bloomington, Indiana by car from Denver, Colorado. Upon arrival to Bloomington we took up to a nearby accommodation and toured the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center along with the newly constructed prayer wheel pavilion. The next day, in preparation for the arrival of His Holiness and for the opportunity to gift the Maitreya Thangka, I was dressed in the traditional Buddhist Lama robe attire and was given a special Lama pass. Incredibly I did not realize that the pass would later allow me to sit with the monks just yards away from His Holiness at the welcoming conference. And just as His Holiness arrived at the Culture Center, I had a brief moment to gift him the Thangka on his way inside. I was very fortunate and grateful to all the people and Lamas that made possible such a great opportunity.

Below are a few of the pictures from the Maitreya Thangka creation process:


You can also go to my exhibitions page to see more picture from the day.

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Thangka for the Dalai Lama
Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center
Bloomington, Indiana
05/11/10

May 11, 2010

“Maitreya” (Jampa) Thangka for the Dalai Lama

Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Center, Bloomington, Indiana
05/11/10

Tsogtsaikhan Mijid created and gifted the large scale “Maitreya” Thanghka with silk embroidery by his wife Batkhishig Batochir to his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on his anticipated visit to the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington Indiana on May 11th, 2009 (details below). Tsogtsaikhan traveled to Bloomington, Indiana with fellow Colorado Mongolian Buddhist Class “Dharma Wheel”. His Maider Thangka was created in recognition of the Mongolians in Colorado.

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(following is a news excerpt from dalailama.com)

Bloomington, IN, USA, 11 May 2010 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Bloomington, Indiana, this afternoon on the first leg of his tour of the United States. On his arrival first in Chicago from Europe, His Holiness was received by Kasur Lobsang Nyandak Zayul, Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama to the Americas. The President of the Tibetan Association in Chicago was also there to receive His Holiness. On his arrival in Bloomington, His Holiness was received at the airport by Arjia Rinpoche, Director of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, which is hosting His Holiness in Bloomington, along with some board members of the Center.

As His Holiness’s vehicle entered the ceremonial gate of the Center, children from the Tibetan community in Chicago performed the Tashi Sholpa dance. There were staff and supporters of the Center, including Tibetans, Mongolians, Japanese, Chinese, Americans and others, who stood beside the road, festooned with Tibetan and Buddhist flags, to welcome His Holiness. His Holiness blessed the newly constructed prayer wheel pavilion before proceeding to his residence. Among the lamas who received His Holiness at the entrance to his residence were the abbot of Gomang Monastery, Geshe Yonten Dhamchoe, the abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Kachen Lobzang Tsetan, the abbot of Gandantegchinlen Monastery in Mongolia, Khamba Lama D. Choijamts (Choekyi Gyatso), Telo Rinpoche, head of the Kalmyk Buddhists of the Russian Federation, as well as the abbots of Erdene Zuu Monastery and the Kalachakra Temple also in Mongolia and the President of the Indiana Tibetan Association.

His Holiness’ teaching program begins on May 12, 2010 in Indiana University’s auditorium.

His Holiness is accompanied by Secretary Chhime R. Chhoekyapa and Secretary Tsegyam for this US visit.

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