KSA’s Beautiful Clay Amitabha by Lili Ng
In Kechara Saraswati Arts Dept or KSA ( http://www.kechara.com/arts/ ), they are creating a beautiful clay Amitabha statue I've have placed an order for.
This is the progress of the clay statue and when done, will be presented as a gift to a friend.
Nice pics to share with everyone. Kechara has really talented people who get together to express spirituality in so many ways.
Tsem Rinpoche
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Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Today I received the good news that the clay Amitabha Buddha is ready. Lili Ng did a good job of creating this on her own from beginning to end.
Dear Rinpoche,
I have just finish varnishing d statue, it is ready n complete now.
The statue is in Kechara Saraswati Arts (KSA) now.
Thank you.
Lili Ng
It is wonderful that Kechara Saraswati Arts (KSA) is an avenue for many to connect with spirituality through arts. Another wonderful artist in Kechara is my student and old friend Margaret Lee, whose work I've blogged about recently - Margaret's Fantastic Paintings!!! .
Below is a congratulatory message from Margaret to Lili which I would like to share:
Dear Lili,
You are amazing to have made this Amitaba from paper clay. It looks very nice.
I can see so much effort, concentration n care have been put into the making of this statue.
I rejoice for you. Please make good dedication of your merits.
Love,
Marg
cc Rinpoche, Paul
Yes, something very special is going on over there. You guys, to me, are appearing as a sort of Dharma Oasis….I wish you all health and energy.
This statue, far from completion, is already beautiful. One’s mind’s eye espys the Amitabha surrounding this incomplete foundation; one must wonder of Amitabha isn’t coming first, and the rupa second.
The odd ribbing in the upper diaphraghm reminds one of Sakyamuni’s extreme ascetic phase, when he damn near starved himself to death.
Possible Lesson from the rupa in progress: when we get carried away, either to excess or denial, the Limitless Light is always at play.
Dear Rinpoche,
Something else for you to know. In today Star Newspaper. Human can be Inhumane and selfish.
Animal lab operating on the quiet for three years
BUKIT MERTAJAM: While animal lovers are up in arms over the setting up of an animal testing laboratory in Malacca, a similar facility is believed to have been operating on the quiet here for the past three years.
According to the company’s website, it is an independent contract research organisation offering toxicology services to the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrochemical and industrial chemical industries.
It claims to conduct toxicology tests on a range of animals. It said some animals were used for regulatory pre-clinical toxicity testing of pharmaceuticals and certain chemicals, such as agrochemicals and biocides.
The RM52mil facility includes a state-of-the-art dog unit, purpose-built to provide the highest standards of animal care and advanced study procedures.
There were also 15 animal rooms, each designed to hold up to 40 dogs and enabling the housing of one study per room, the company said in its website……
Read the rest at : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/12/nation/6459019&sec=nation
It’s a common misconception that people think that statues can only be bought or found in countries such as Tibet, Cambodia, Nepal and India.
Why, right here we have the Kechara Saraswati Art department!!
I remember Tsem Tulku Rinpoche explaining why he had created 14 departments…he said that Dharma is not just sitting down on a meditation cushion and continuously chant. Some people in this degenerative time can’t sit and pray for hours on head, hence the creation of 14 departments! Those who want to feed the homeless, can with Kechara Soup Kitchen http://www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen/, those who like to write books can channel their energy into writing dharma books with Kechara Publications http://www.kechara.com/publications/, those who love to stay online and connected can write articles or work on websites with the E-Division!!! I don’t want to sound like an advertiser but it’s logical, some people love to paint and sculpt like Lili (this post)…she can collect SO much merits by concentrating and sculpting out a beautiful clay statue of Amitabah. Next time when she’s chanting his mantra, can you imagine her level of visualization of this Buddha??? Amazing. This could support her in doing longer meditation and prayers
Lily is very talented, this is the 1st clay statue that she make from beginning till complete. The latest news she just completed it yestauday, a beautiful colorful clay Amitaba. In order for one to acheive the assignment one must put effort, concentrate, patience, love and care in doing it, and this are foundation of traning our mind to shift to higher level.
In the past lily has kindly repaired Rinpoche statue which badly damaged piece by piece from the couria from oversea. Its incredible how she can repaired it back to original form and painted in original color. How amazing!! Rinpoche statue currently on the main altar in front of 5ft Lama tsongkhapa at Kechara house 1, do visit Kechara House and withness the secred Rinpoche statue and get a blessing.
WOW! I remember seeing the work-in-progress photos a wee while ago and to see the finished article – it’s literally awesome!
Lili is one talented lady, and you can see just how much has gone into the work of this statue. Lili has inadvertently provided a fantastic teaching in that, in our practice we start of with a rough mind, much like the materials at the beginning of a sculpture. After a while, if we are dedicated to working at shaping and moulding our minds in practice, we can see the results starting to take shape (we gradually develop our qualities and virtue that work towards benefiting others), and if we are really committed, focused and dedicated to our practice, eventually we end up with a beautiful, clear and radiant mind that goes on to benefit so many other people as a result.
Congratulations, Lili, on producing such fine work! You have an amazing talent, and clearly your kindness and commitment to the Dharma shows through your hard work.
Kind regards,
Sandy
Your words are very kind, thank you. I hope you revisit this post again soon to view the completed statue that lili has done. For a first effort I find it to be rather remarkable.
Just a little sharing:
Lili has been Rinpoche’s student for some time, and has always been artistically inclined, painting statues in Kechara Saraswati Arts as well as restoring some of Rinpoche’s precious personal statues that were inadvertently damaged due to time and circumstance.
This clay sculpture is her first effort at Buddhist sculpture, and she did it at Rinpoche’s advice and encouragement. And look at the result… simply fantastic!
Lili is not the only one, Margaret is another student in whom Rinpoche’s has awoken the artistic talent. Truly does the Guru know best.
Lili you are fantastic, so creative and talented. You love the arts and love benefiting people through arts. You have spirituality through arts. You will definitely be able to contribute much much more through Kechara Saraswati Arts to benefit others in future. When you restored Zong Rinpoche’s hand to normal I was in awe. You have again proven that you can do more than restoration of statue, you can even construct statue from paper clay and bring life to the statue with your colours and handwork. I am confident you can start a class to teach students who wish to learn this art. It will be viable and meritorious for people who wish to learn spirituality through arts. Those who are interested to learn visit http://www.kechara.com/arts/ for more information.
WOW! I knew Lili is good in art, but to actually mold an Amitabha statue to the minute… is just plain amazing! The radiant color is excellent and eye catching, it makes people want to look at it which is a good thing!
What i feel that’s most meaningful (besides the creation of a beautiful statue) is Lili’s effort in creating the Amitabha statue for her friend. I’m sure her friend would be delighted to receive such a wonderful Buddha statue =)
Hope more artistic people will cross paths with KSA and benefit spiritually from the activities that they offer.
Dear Lily,
My…my…. You really have great hands for art. I really admire you. You are as good as Margaret. You did very well in your given assignment to make finish this clay Amitabah… Yes, I agree with Margaret that you do a good dedication too. With great faith and devotion to Rinpoche, and if you follow Rinpoche instruction all the way you will eventually find true happiness in life and you are able to help more people that you love a lot.
Over the pass short years. Seeing you high and low and having to see you change for the better is really encouraging. Keep your good work up.
I can’t wait to see your future work.
Hehe….
What amazing talent! I like the colours. Personally I’ve always preferred statues that are painted with colours because it makes visualisation easier. We have very good artists in Kechara House and they will help nurture others who are artistically inclined. Lili and Margaret will develop their art to greater heights, guided by Rinpoche. I’ve always believed that Buddhist art can benefit people by planting seeds of enlightenment in them or open seeds that are dormant. What a wonderful way to contribute to the dharma. As you progress in your practice, your art will further improve, reflecting the bliss you have in your heart. I rejoice for Lili and Margaret.
Dear Lili,
I love this Buddha Amitabha!
What amazes me is that you have had no prior professional training in this area! You are really gifted with the art of making beautiful clay Buddha statues. From a piece of clay, your can shape and mould them into a breathtaking form of Buddha Amitabha. The amount of attention and hard work you had spent into making this statue are clearly shown by the completed work. You had given your love, dedication and devotion to sharing Dharma through art. Do continue to produce beautiful Buddha forms and put your artistic talents into good use. Make Kechara Saraswati Arts well known! I rejoice in your effort and dedication.
Wow, nice work, has life in it though! Admire the courage and patience that you demonstrated on doing this
Can imagine that while you were doing this, your body, your breath, your mind and all come to a single pointed focus – Buddha Amitabha statue comes to live! I now wonder how those grand statues come to live, I mean for myself I even have doubt that I can paint the two eyebrows symmetrically not to say gracefully :p. Well, always, there is a will there is a way, great reminder indeed.
Hope one day, I would be able to serve KSA as well.
Oh yes, Lord Amitabha – the Buddha of Infinite Light. I first came across His name when I was reading the beautiful King of Prayers and secondly the beautiful 21 Praises to Mother Tara. Buddha Amitabha has helped many people I know and has generated faith in these people.
This statue that Lili Ng has created is not just a piece of art but a merit field for its ‘creator’ and for those who will come to see it and make good aspirational prayers to it. I am sure Lili Ng will not stop at this and will continue to make more statues of other Buddhas and to impart her skills to other potential artistes.
Well done Lili Ng!
Lili Ng is beauty, talented and intelligent woman. She is kind and helpful when you need her hand she will come and help.
Very amazing she made the clay Amitabha Buddha by herself in one and a half month.
She also couldn’t believe that she did it! Congratulations Lili!!!
She loves arts, and through the arts she can benefit a lot of people.
We wish she can conduct a class to in the future to teach us how to make clay Buddha…!
Hope everybody got the chance to learn from her and make their own statue.
Thank you Lili for the works!!
Congratulations Lili ! I am so happy for you and I salute you for hand-building this beautiful Amitabha Statue- with radiance of faith, dedication, love and joy from your heart!
You have outdone yourself again and gone beyond… from 2 Dimensional (paintings) to 3 Dimensional (sculptural) works – Wow!
For someone who does not know the actual clay hand-building techniques, you have done extremely well, having had to find out, be it by reading, asking around, by exploring the tough way – by trial and errors, by instinctively applying what you feel, letting your spiritual inspirations guide you.
Not one to daunted by monumental tasks, Lili has the true patience to take up challenges in her stride. What do I admire most about Lili ? Her humility – she is so talented and yet so humble. She tries very hard – puts her heart and soul in Lamrim classes, in projects she undertakes. She is intelligent, kind and compassionate, she listens, shares and cares…
Her other qualities? I am sure her works speak a thousand words…
For someone in the creative arts, it is truly inspirational to see what Lili has quietly set out to do (she is very humble and determined), very focused and consistent, what she has completed, achieved – are works of pure joy!
We are very blessed to have such a beautiful soul in our midst. And if you happen to walk into KSA for any of our creative activities like Tsa Tsa painting conducted by Lili – whether as a volunteer or as a student, you will be learning a lot – as she is a very passionate and competent teacher.
And mind you she is more beautiful in person than in photo! And she exudes the grace, warmth, sunshine and she does not realise it!
I look forward to learn from you.
With Lots of Love and Big Hugs
With Folded Hands
Ling
P.S. Your restoration works on Zong Rinpoche’s Statue is simply exquisite!
What can I say to describe Lily’s handiwork but a big “Wow”? She consistently turns out beautiful works of art and in this case, a beautiful Amitabha statue out of nothing! Observing her in action, I can’t help but notice that besides having the talent, she loves doing it and puts her mind and focus into her projects and does them well. So art becomes for her an avenue to express her spirituality and her practice becomes a source of benefit to others. How beautiful.
Rinpoche has made this into a valid form of dharma practice; otherwise we would have thought that it should only be chanting mantras, doing pujas and meditation. After all, the Buddha taught that there are 84,000 methods to reach the end result, enlightenment, each to suit the practitioner’s ability or affinity. That makes a lot of sense, because we are not created equal, because of our karma. Lily can paint and sculpt, but I can’t paint or draw even if my life depended on it, maybe because my left brain had been put to work a lot more than the right which is a little atrophied, I bet. However, I can do other things better, like think, analyse and write, perhaps. Other people have many other types of skills and strengths that can be harnessed to benefit others, that’s why it’s so logical that Kechara has 13 departments and counting…..83,987 to go, to be exact.
I read in the Lamrim that beautifying the Buddha’s body creates the karma to be reborn with a beautiful, healthy and attractive body, so if you want to be beautiful in your next life, go to KSA (http://www.kechara.com/arts) and paint statues, paint thangkas, sew Buddha clothes, make tsa tsas and create the cause. It’s an investment!
Well done !! Lily and KSA!!
This is really amazing and I can envision you giving classes to those who would like to create their own statutes!
You go girl
Lili is truly gifted with her hands. She has the patience and skill for meticulous work which results in amazing works of art. Another such incredible piece of art is on the link here:
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/06/lamrim-mind-map.html
How wonderful that Kechara Saraswati Arts under Rinpoche’s guidance can nuture such talents! There is always an activity in the place. It is truly like the elves in Santa’s workshop! Creating, painting, sculpting, rolling, sticking, sewing, etc for the benefit of all.
Kechara and its various departments is truly a one stop Dharma Centre for everyone of all groups to join in its fun and varied activities.
Lili Ng now is our full time staff of KSA and KD. She is very talented and also an expertise involving art. Whether it be painting or creating clay statues etc. At the moment she has created a clay Amitabha statue for Rinpoche that Rinpoche wish to give as a gift to his friend. Many Chinese Buddhists like to pray to Amitabha. And to us Tibetan Buddhism Setrap is the wrathful emanation of Amitabha. Since lots of people pray to Kuan Yin and Amitabha being her Guru. It will be very easy to promote dharma by selling Tsas Tsas and Amitabha statues as it is well known to people.
[...] Remember a few months ago Lili made a beautiful Amitaba Statue at KSA from clay: http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/07/ksas-beautiful-clay-amitabha-by-lili-ng.html [...]