{"id":5505,"date":"2024-05-11T16:49:18","date_gmt":"2024-05-11T14:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kagyu.org.za\/johannesburg\/?page_id=5505"},"modified":"2026-09-15T07:04:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T05:04:05","slug":"thangka-project-100-peaceful-and-wrathful-deities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kagyu.org.za\/johannesburg\/sponsorship-opportunities\/thangka-project-100-peaceful-and-wrathful-deities\/","title":{"rendered":"KSDJ TEMPLE THANGKA PROJECT 2024 –\u00a0100 Peaceful and Wrathful Deities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kagyu Samye Dzong Johannesburg (KSDJ) has the precious opportunity to commission two large thangkas for the KSDJ Temple Project. The subject for two thangkas is the 100 Peaceful and Wrathful Deities (42 Peaceful and 58 Wrathful deities, respectively). The paintings will be positioned in the lounge within the Lamas’ Apartment, which is on the storey above the temple. It is an appropriate place where we hope that high Lamas will stay in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the significance of having these two thangkas made for our new temple? Lama Yeshe Rinpoche has specifically indicated that placing these particular thangkas in the temple is most meaningful since the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities encompass everything, and having the thangkas in the temple will benefit so many beings. We follow in the footsteps of Rinpoche\u2019s brother Akong Rinpoche, who also placed a thangka of the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities in his personal audience room in the Akong Labrang in Kagyu Samye Ling, Scotland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Artist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The works are to be painted by Dipa Yonzon, a well-known, talented artist based in Kathmandu, Nepal. She completed the six-year thangka painting training from the impeccable Tsering Art School at Shechen Monastery, Boudhanath, graduating in 2016. under the guidance of Master Thangka Painter Konchog Lhadrepa. This school follows the Karma Gadri painting style, favoured by both Nyimpa and Kagyu lineages. After her studies, Dipa helped with running the Tsering Art School. She now works as a full-time artist, contributing to many projects for monasteries and temples in Nepal and India over the past few years, as well as private commissions. She previously painted the Machig Labdr\u00f6n thangka for the Randburg Centre (KSDR). We wish to foster a continuing relationship with the artist as part of an effort to receive the benefit and blessing of exemplary, authentic thangkas and to bring a broader knowledge of this art form to the Buddhist community in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The total cost for the two thangkas is $5600 USD. This will be compensated to the artist. The amount includes the exquisitely hand-painted features of all the deities and surrounding details with colours, and gold painting. The artist has generously indicated that she will arrange the brocade frames for the thangkas as an offering to the temple. Due to the complexity and scale of the subject, the artist will take six months to complete the works, with the completion date projected to be February 2025. We welcome contributions of any amount to this project. Each and every person will be acknowledged for their donation, no matter how big or small. Or, if you prefer, you can donate anonymously. Our banking details can be found here<\/strong><\/a>. When donating, please email johannesburg@kagyu.org.za to confirm your donation. We can also send a link if you prefer paying by card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are two examples of the artist’s work – A painting of the16 Arhats, and Guru Rinpoche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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16 Arthats<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Guru Rinpoche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Project Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The artist will share drawings and the painting process as she progresses with the creation of the painting. In an effort to help people understand the project better and the role and expertise of the artist, we hope to host an online talk with the artist shortly after she begins the project. Watch this space for updates!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like more information about the Thangkas or the project, please email Natalie at natalie.souchon@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Update 28 August 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Today, on this auspicious Dakini Day, the thangka artist, Dipa Yonzon, started on the thangkas. The artist has hand-prepared, sized and stretched the painting supports. The artist spent a few days preparing the supports. The weather must be sunny to create a good-quality canvas surface. Next, the artist selected an auspicious day for the start of the project: 28 August 2024: Dakini Day. Here you can see the prayers and offerings for the start of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

November 2024 Update<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drawing: First Canvas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Each element must be carefully measured and drawn with a sharp pencil onto the surface of the canvas. The pencil lines must be precise and clean so that the forms are clearly delineated. During the colouring phase, these outlines will be reinforced with ink, using a fine-lining brush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Painting Phase: First Part<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The artist begins by colouring the background. Starting with the sky, the artist applies a stippling technique, layering and building up the shades in small horizontal strokes across the surface. The clouds are also coloured by building up light and dark tones of colour<\/strong>, and ink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The artist paints the figure components from back to front, starting with the aura behind the heads. Areas are filled in piece by piece with flat application of single colours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The lining brush is an essential tool for outlining forms. It takes great skill and concentration to create beautiful, elegant linework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ist Section Progress: View of the whole canvas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Update 8 January 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Progress of the Peaceful Deities Canvas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Start of the Wrathful Deities Canvas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A closer look at the Wrathful Deities central figure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Update Mid-Feb 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The image of the first canvas colouring with the opened eyes of the main figure. At this stage, the artist paints in the details of the deities\u2019 eyes, in the concluding phase of the painting. This is known as \u2018opening the eyes\u2019. It requires great skill and a peaceful state of mind to achieve the Buddha\u2019s gaze. Notice the fine details, including outlining of rainbow auras, clothes, drapery and wooden patterns, grass, rocks, flowers and offerings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dipa Yonzon is working from 8 am to 7 pm every day, and it will take a while yet to finish, but unfortunately, it won’t be finished in time for the opening of the KSD Johannesburg Temple (mid-Feb 2025).<\/p>\n\n\n

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April 2025 Update<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thangkas are progressing well, and the artist is busy colouring and shading the second canvas. Nathalie visited Dipa Yonzon in her studio in Katmandu, Nepal during April 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n

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July 2025 Update<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Peaceful Deities canvas is almost completed, and the artist, Dipa Yongzon, is working on the Wrathful Deities canvas. Colouring of the second canvas is progressing – the wrathful deities require more complex and challenging painting techniques, including rendering of multiple dynamic forms, expressions and fire auras. 
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January 2026 Update<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emaho! One year and three months from the start of this project, the artist has completed the works, including all details and gold finishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The thangkas have been sent to the brocade shop to be framed. The brocade fabric selected is called “geshar’ cloth, and was requested by Lama Yeshe Rinpoche for brocading. It is a high-quality, handmade cloth imported from Varanasi. The artist selected blue brocade for the peaceful deity thangka and gold for the wrathful deity thangka, due to the colours of the thangkas\u2019 imagery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the project. The thangkas will be a beautiful, sacred, addition to our Temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special gratitude goes to Dipa Yonzon<\/strong>, the artist, for such remarkable dedication, skill, and care throughout this process. Our sincere thanks also to Natalie Souchon<\/strong>, who initiated this project and supported it immensely from the very beginning. And above all, we thank Lama Yeshe Rinpoche<\/strong> for his far-reaching vision and unwavering dedication to the Dharma in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are looking forward to seeing the Thangkas hanging in the Temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

February 2026 Update<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Emaho! The Thangkas were received and hung in the Lama Apartment of the Temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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