Lama Zopa Rinpoche with his animal art, Thubten Shedrup Ling, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
During his stay at Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, Lama Zopa Rinpoche decorated two elephant statues and dictated signs to be made that will go next to them when they are placed outside. Rinpoche has been staying at the monastery for the past six weeks for the CPMT 2014 meeting and the Australia retreat, which just ended.
Rinpoche glued four small plush toy animals onto the back of the larger elephant. Its sign will say:
“Anywhere with whomever I accompany
I look at myself lowest of all
And cherish others as supreme
Whether you like it or not this is my practice, sorry.”
The smaller elephant is saying:
“I’m the very small elephant, but looking 100 years old.
From beginningless rebirth I have been totally dipped in the oceans of samsaric sufferings
but even though I am still an animal but now I am taking the opportunity
As the enlightened stupa happened here, to enlighten all sentient beings.”
There are many other examples of Rinpoche’s artistic animal creations, including examples in the “Animal Art” photo album and the floating animals in boats Rinpoche created for Atisha Centre.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche in his room at Thubten Shedrup Ling, Australia, October 2014. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
More information, photos and updates about FPMT spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche can be found on Rinpoche’s webpage. If you’d like to receive news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche via email, sign up to Lama Zopa Rinpoche News.
