Spring 2022 Newsletter
A beautiful painting illustrating the vision for the Mikyo Dorje Institute has been unveiled by Lama Jampa at Kagyu Ling. The large scale painting captures the architectural beauty and rural spaciousness that we are aiming for.
Looking at the painting, Lama Jampa said:
“It really is beautiful to see this actualisation of what is, at the moment, still in our imagination. It was Rinpoche’s wish that an institute be launched, an institute where people would be trained in the great intellectual inheritance of our tradition. Studying and practising together, scholarship and meditation together, in an institute in the countryside, away from the everyday immediacy of the cities. The Mikyo Dorje Institute is a deep resource for the dharma.”
Painting the vision
The painting was inspired by a sketch drawn by Karma Thinley Rinpoche when he set out his original aspiration for the Institute more than 45 years ago.
When Rinpoche wrote to Lama Jampa in 1975, he sent a sketch of the temple complex with a courtyard, gardens, ponds, cabins and camping facilities, situated in a rural location. This initial artistic impression formed the basis for further sketches, line drawings, and coloured images.
The presence of a gompa for hosting teachings, with monastic and retreat facilities, will actualise the vision of Rinpoche and Lama Jampa for the Mikyo Dorje Institute, and will attract people to experience the glory of the dharma through engaging in serious periods of study and contemplation. The presence of a monastic sangha will inspire lay people with their pure moral conduct.
The temple structure depicted in the painting is drawn from Rinpoche’s original sketch and is also informed by Lama Jampa’s encounter with Tibetan Buddhist institutions in the West, particularly the architecture of Dhagpo Kundreul Ling at Le Bost in France.
The landscape around the temple emerged out of the guidance for the most suitable location, topography and harmonious natural features beneficial for building a temple set out by Chogye Trichen Rinpoche in his work the ‘Gateway to the Temple.’(1971)
The painting is the culmination of months of collaboration between the project team and the fine artist Jacob Gourley, who responded with warmth and sensitivity to the details of the commission. Jacob’s own inspiration for capturing the qualities of a dharma institute came out of his travels in Nepal and Mustang and his childhood experience of growing up in a western dharma family. Jacob described his involvement in the work as: “thoroughly enjoyable, from the rudimentary sketches to the finished painting, it was a stimulating process and one of my most ambitious projects.”
The painting has been installed at Kagyu Ling where it will inspire and enthuse visitors. It will feature on the Mikyo Dorje Institute website and other communications materials; and one day will have a place on a wall at the Institute, documenting the development process from the inception of the project.
Sharing the vision
To ensure that everyone in the Dechen community can share the inspiration of this vision of the Institute we would like to send you a small copy of the painting. If you didn’t get the chance to update your contact details at the shedra, please take a few moments now to check and ensure we have your up-to-date address and phone number, and information about your contact preferences.*
In the meantime, other work continues behind the scenes. The property team is reviewing site-selection criteria and preparing to approach land agents; work is moving ahead on the website; and the project team is preparing to make contact with people in the Dechen community over the coming months to generate enthusiasm, involvement and ideas on the successful achievement of this development.
As ever, if you have questions, please email the project team: info@mikyodorje.institute
With best wishes,
Kagyu Dechen Buddhism Trust