Vajrayana Arts and Crafts

bZo rig – the Arts

For the gö kar chang lo’i dé, Craft is not seen as different from, or higher than, Art. The Arts are every form of creativity which emanates from the play between the senses and the fields of the senses. In this vision of reality, the Arts are equal — because the senses are equal. This means that the Arts of Cuisine and Fragrance are the equal of Fine Art. The Arts are all traditionally employed in Vajrayana as painting, poetry, literature, sculpture, costumery, theatre, dance, and symbolic activity — but this does not exclude the secular Arts or contemporary Art forms such as photography, film, or the creation of installations. Beyond this, there are many Arts which involve activity such as equestrianism and a broad range of physical pursuits. Vajrayana are artists in every sense of the word — because Art is communication and the heart of communication is compassion.

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.

Here are small glimpses into the craft projects that have been undertaken by the Aro gTér sangha since the early 1980s.