Guspati Colors , 10 November 2002:
Here are a few lines to try to share with you all, the wonders of last two
months work progress on the gompa.
On the outer part everything is getting ready to be painted...a few more days and the painters should start with the first layers. The Vajra Guru Mantra has been molded all around the roof, while the Dharma wheel and the Deers are in place since long now...Once colors will shine it will really be a very impressive building.
For now, the greatest surprise comes from the inside, where all statues and paintings should be completed by the end of November...making the gompa alive.
There is so much to say and to describe, that it would be better if you could discover it by yourselves...But let me try to bring you around ...
Climbing up the first steps, you first meet with the marble foundation on which the Sakyamuni Buddha statue will soon be fixed...on top of which there will be Sakyamuni Buddha mandala painted and on the side wall the wheel of Life as well as the 4 kings should appear...but all this will come at a later stage...
As for now 16 bhutanese artists are working everyday, long hours, in order to give their best and complete the paintings and statues of the main prayer hall. Entering the praying hall white marble is shining on the floor when not covered by the dust of the work in process, while on the ceiling stand 9 impressive Mandalas, all completed since long now. In the center are Guru Drakpo, Chenresig and Guru Rinpoche. On the left you will seeVajrakila, Tsepame and Kagyed and on the right side areVajrayogini, Dorje Sempa and Sengedongma. All surrounded by beautifull paintings.
Doing some kind of a Inner Kora, we enter the door and on the wall behind us are the 84 Mahasiddhas in the middle of who stands Dorje Chang...They all are drawn, while the artists are concentrating on coloring the backgrounds and main outlines for now...it is a question of days before the first few appear completed.
On the left side wall comes first, the red Dorje Phagmo under completion, next to her on the other side of the windows is standing a Big Nuden Dorje who commands respect, this painting has been completed two days ago, artists are now concentrating on the Rahula and Dorje Legpa below. Then just before the left side door comes a big size Tamdrin and on the other side of the door is a big size Vajrakila with retinue, next to which comes Rigdzin Godem...all three are completed...Walking towards the altar you will find a big size Kagyed which is now under completion and requiring pain staking concentration from the painters as it holds so many details, hands and heads. On the very last wall comes a surprise that shall please you all... Before to reach the altar stands a big drawer tailor made by the carpenters and awaiting to be painted, it order to keep the texts.
The altar: On the left side stands a clay statue of Dorje Drolo under completion...hands, hair, jewels and severed heads are being made at the moment.
Then comes the central main altar, in the middle of which stands Guru Rinpoche as you all know already, but the novelty comes from two six feet high clay statues standing on both sides of Shantaraksita and King Trisong Deutsen whose crown, dharma wheel and hands are being made at the moment. The other novelty is coming from a set of three 3 feet high clay statues of Guru Nangsi, Pema Tinlae and Gompo Wangyal. All three coming from Bhutan, and finalized here in terms of painting.
On the right side altar, is the clay statue of Tsepame, for which once again jewel and hands are being made right now. Once the details are completed all the clay statues will be painted.
On the right side wall, first comes another drawer to receive more texts, while the first painting is a big size Sampa Lhundrub. On the other side of the window comes the fierce Sengedongma. While just before to reach the right side door is the 4 arms Chenresig, with Opame on top of him and Padmasambhava below. Next comes Rigdzin (Dung Drup) and retinue, on the side wall of which is the black Dorje Phagmo. To end with Byangter Refuge tree and Vajrayogini. All of them completed...
On top of all these beautifully executed main paintings comes the 25 disciples of Guru Rinpoche. This was for the main prayer hall.
The staircase leading you to the first floor praying hall is of white marble and flowers are being molded around. Entering the prayer hall, here stands the 4 arms Chenresig whose head just got completed yesterday. His hairs are being made now. He should be sided by Guru Dragpo and Rigdzin Dung Drup, 3 feet clay statues.
The floor will be of wood while the ceiling has been completed a month ago, 108 Green Tara, 108 White Tara...108 Chenresig...54 Manjusri and more have been painted.
On the top floor will come a clay statue of Opame yet to be made, while marble has already been layed and painting should be started on a later stage...
It all requires a lot of effort, hard work and money and I am confident to say that you shall all be very impressed and pleased with what you will see and feel proud to have taken part in such an endeavour. It is not yet completed, but it seems to be on schedule if not for the lack of funds in order to give it the best for the December opening.
With love till more news...A.