Thrangu Tensheng Tsokpa

The Institute of Traditional Tibetan Art (Thrangu Tensheng Tsokpa) was established by the Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and is located at Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery at Namo Buddha. Its aim is to contribute to the preservation and continuation of authentic Himalayan Buddhist art. Rinpoche’s great aspiration is to have all of the five major and five minor traditional sciences (such as Tibetan medicine and arts and crafts) gathered at Namo Buddha.
Accordingly, Thrangu Tensheng Tsokpa, which is concerned with the science of arts and crafts, was inaugurated in the year 2008 with an auspicious ceremony. Prior to that, Karma Dadrul and Dhondup received extensive advice from Rinpoche on establishing this organization.
Currently, in accord with Rinpoche’s vision, the artists of Thrangu Tensheng Tsokpa are working in the main shrine hall of the temple at Namo Buddha. Under the direction of the chief artist, Lama Rigzin, the walls of the shrine room are being painted with the lineage figures of the sixteen Karmapas.
The paintings are being done beautifully using pure stone colors. Poster colors are not being used because those paints last only a short time and fade quickly. Although stone colors are more expensive than other paints, the paintings will remain vivid and colorful for more than a hundred years. The murals of the Karmapas are being painted according to the pure and authentic Karma Gardi tradition.
As soon as this work is finished, the artists will be available to produce Buddhist thangkas and other artworks to meet the needs of lamas, monks, nuns, and Rinpoche’s disciples around the world. Rinpoche’s intention is to benefit the Sangha as well as lay students in and outside Nepal. Thrangu Tensheng Tsokpa is a non-profit association under Thrangu Rinpoche’s fellowship, and all proceeds from the sale of thangkas go toward its operating costs.