Vajrayana Arts and Crafts

Please enjoy these small glimpses into the craft projects that have been undertaken by the Aro gTér sangha since the early 1980s.

Interwoven amidst the large variety of interesting activities going on within the Aro gTér tradition is the activity of craftwork, which Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen consider to be an art form equal to any other form of art (it is notable that the lineage holders also view art itself as inseparably connected with essential Vajrayana). In fact, the lineage holders view Vajrayana craftwork as vital to the continuity of the lineage. Likewise, Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, Dung-sé Thrin-lé Norbu Rinpoche, Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche, and by Kyabjé Düd’jom Rinpoche all emphasized the benefits of undertaking craftwork.

In a letter to their students, Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen once wrote: “Some people see little value in craftwork in comparison with meditation – but what we have noticed about such people is that they seem to gain little benefit from their ‘meditation’. Those, however, who enjoy craftwork – seem to change and show the beneficial changes one would expect to see in terms of meditation.

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