Tag: buddhism

PARO, BHUTAN ART: TIGER

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This mural depicts a tiger, a significant symbol in Bhutanese Buddhism.

Protection: Tigers are often associated with protection and the warding off of negative forces.

Wrathful Deities: In some traditions, tigers are associated with wrathful deities who act as guardians of the Dharma (Buddhist teachings).

This tiger mural likely serves as a protective symbol for the building or the surrounding area.

18december24

PARO, BHUTAN ART: GARUDA AND GHOST

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This appears to be a depiction of a Garuda, a mythical bird-like creature in Buddhist mythology. Garudas are often seen as protectors of the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) and are sometimes depicted as having the power to subdue serpents.
This mural likely depicts a hungry ghost, a being from Buddhist cosmology.

Key characteristics:

Thin Body: They are often depicted with emaciated bodies, large bellies, and thin necks.

Unsatisfied Desire: They are constantly hungry and thirsty but are unable to satisfy their desires, leading to perpetual suffering.

Symbolism:

Greed and Attachment: Hungry ghosts symbolize the negative consequences of greed, attachment, and excessive desire.

Impermanence: They serve as a reminder of the impermanence of material possessions and the futility of seeking happiness through them.

This mural may be intended to inspire viewers to cultivate detachment and compassion.

18december2024

PARO, BHUTAN STREETART: DUALITY by DALEAST

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The day I finally connected with Ugyen, the guru’s housekeeper, to see a mural by DALEAST, will go down as one of my best days in Bhutan. I usually don’t go anywhere for any extended period of time that doesn’t have a surplus of street art. Bhutan was my exception.
And then to find out that there are a few pieces from one of the most recognized street artists in the world here, I had to chase them down. The artist himself has put me in touch with the keepers of these private residences. Long story short, he got stuck here during Covid 🦠, hence, it is depicted in this mural.

The artist’s explanation of the mural is here. I did some additional research in reference to what he mentions about Padmasambhava and Parnashavari:

Padmasambhava embodies the union of opposites—wisdom and compassion, destruction and creation—transforming obstacles into enlightenment. Parnashavari, the forest goddess, bridges nature and healing, embodying the tension between wildness and protection. Both represent duality as a path to transcendence: opposites not as contradictions, but as complements guiding toward wholeness.

I have been invited to do a retreat here anytime, and I am very much looking forward to it. ☮️ 🕉️☸️☯️
Padmasambhava, a.k.a. Guru Rinpoche, considered the second Buddha.
Ugyen, the guru’s housekeeper, and the one who helped make this visit to the private residence possible.

Paro, Bhutan 🇧🇹
19dec24

PARO, BHUTAN ART: DEER PARK

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A traditional Bhutanese Buddhist motif featuring the Dharma Wheel (dharmachakra) in the center, painted in golden yellow with ornate details and sitting atop a lotus flower. It’s flanked by two deer, which likely represent the deer from the Deer Park in Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon.

Paro, Bhutan 🇧🇹
December 2024

PARO, BHUTAN: KICHU LAKHANG

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The road to Kichu Lakhang twisted like a mantra spoken through mountains. ⛰️ I walked for a long time until a taxi 🚕 gave me a fair deal. “I live in Thimphu. I’m not a tourist.”
Time slowed as I stepped into its embrace—old white stone walls breathing stories, prayer wheels spinning whispers of faith.
Built by Tibet’s Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century to pin down a demoness of chaos, this was no mere monastery; it was a map of devotion. I learned that in the book I’m reading on The History of Bhutan.
The air, thick with incense, carried echoes of a thousand pilgrim footsteps, and I stood still, lost in the rhythm of ancient chants, the pulse of eternity beating in this sacred heart of Bhutan. 🇧🇹
19dec24

PARO, BHUTAN ART: DORJE DROLO

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This is a Dorje Drolo, a wrathful deity in Tibetan Buddhism. The large phallus symbolizes his ability to overcome obstacles and the dragon represents his power and ferocity.
Dorje Drolo is often associated with protection and the defeat of evil. He is said to have the power to subdue demons and bring peace to the world. ☮️ 🌍
18dec24

PARO, BHUTAN ART: CHENREZIG

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This is Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig in Tibetan/Bhutanese) in the four-armed form, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The white complexion, four arms holding prayer beads and lotus, seated in meditation posture, and ornate crown are his distinctive iconographic features. In Bhutanese Buddhism, he is considered the patron deity of Bhutan.
At one end of the Nemi Zam at Rinpung Dzong.

18dec24

PARO, BHUTAN ART: PEMA LINGPA

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This mural is located at one end of the. Nemi Zam at Rinpung Dzong.
This is Pema Lingpa (1450-1521), one of Bhutan’s most revered treasure revealers (tertons) and spiritual masters. He’s shown in the traditional style of a tertön with a beard, wearing lay clothing rather than monastic robes, and holding a treasure vessel. He is considered one of the five great treasure discoverers of Tibet and is especially important in Bhutanese Buddhism as their most significant native-born tertön. The painting shows him with two disciples and includes typical Bhutanese iconographic elements like the decorative clouds and UFO-like celestial palace (gau) above.
18dec24

PARO, BHUTAN ART: THE FOUNDER

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This is one mural on the side at one end of the Nemi Zam at the Rinpung Dzong.

This is Shakyamuni Buddha (also known as Gautama Buddha or the Historical Buddha). In Bhutanese Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha is revered as the founder of Buddhism who lived in the 5th-6th century BCE.

The iconography is characteristic of Shakyamuni Buddha:

The meditation posture (dhyana mudra) with hands folded in lap

The yellow/golden skin color symbolizing purity and enlightenment

The traditional red monastic robes

The blue halo and green aureole behind him

The distinctive topknot (ushnisha) on his head

The serene facial expression with half-closed eyes

Seated on a lotus throne with decorative base elements

In Bhutanese Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha holds a central place as the historical teacher and founder of the dharma (Buddhist teachings).
Paro, Bhutan 🇧🇹
18dec24

PARO, BHUTAN ART: PADMASAMBHAVA

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Beautiful murals on each end of the Nemi Zam (covered bridge) at Rinpung Dzong. Here’s the MAIN deity in Bhutanese Buddhism:
Padmasambhava, known as Guru Rinpoche, is revered in Bhutan as the “Second Buddha.” His teachings brought Buddhism to the Himalayas, and his presence is felt in sacred sites across the country, embodying wisdom, compassion, and protection.
Paro, Bhutan 🇧🇹
18dec24