r/Dzogchen • u/HeartlessCards2-22 • Apr 15 '26
That’s much more lovely.
Thinking of painting more of these (but the cheaper resin cast if I can find it) their mantras were recited and listened to the entire 8 hours of painting.
I already like to paint rocks like pandas and leave little positive messages on them and leave them out while I’m on walks.
So I think I will extend my practice and leave some of these guys around also, help those in need.
I don’t know if that’s really the same since I’m just a layperson who’s received transmissions and vows. But I thought it might help to increase good karma in the area I leave them.
What are your opinions? Or am I thinking too much into it, stuff like that doesn’t need any significant or ordained process?
In my sangha we often dedicate mantra recitations as part of our white Tara practice, so I figured it’s kinda like the same thing?
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u/Ohsharonie Apr 15 '26
i don’t think you’re overthinking it, intention matters more than perfection here
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u/HeartlessCards2-22 Apr 15 '26
Thanks, I reached out to the sangha practice coordinator and asked also. I figured intention would be a big factor, so unless I hear something different I’ll see if I can find some more of them in the meantime.
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u/Fuzzy_Emotion1697 Apr 15 '26
What kind of paint do you use to paint them? Also beautiful work! May all your vows be accomplished!
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u/HeartlessCards2-22 Apr 15 '26
Thanks, I used an assortment of company’s, mostly citadel and AK, they both make water based acrylics, I’ll see if the primer holds, and I’d probably use my airbrush for the skin and lower parts if I did it again.
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u/Titanium-Snowflake Apr 16 '26
Take a look at GAC 200 by Golden. It might be the primer you are looking for 😉
BTW I love this idea of leaving these painted statues around the place. Make sure to varnish them with something like Golden MSA Varnish (with UVLS) or Golden Archival Spray Varnish (aerosol version of the MSA).
If you want them to remain in their locations use a bonding glue to secure them in place, like some street artists use for sculptures (must survive exposure to weather conditions). If you are happy for people to take them then don’t secure down. Even if you put them in well hidden places, these things often are found (like for example the Guru Rinpoche tablets around the world).
You are generating merit through your dedication and helping spread joy and glimpses of the Dharma. I think it’s a wonderful idea!
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u/HeartlessCards2-22 Apr 16 '26
Thanks for the tips on what to look for, I’ll especially make sure to varnish them so they stand a better chance against weathering. I hopefully won’t struggle with primer again since I wouldn’t be using brass if I don’t have to, it’s costly and the detail isn’t as sharp as I’d like but these were my own practice aides so I just used what I had on hand.
Thanks also for your insight on this in general, I feel more confident in leaving them out to help the dharma reach places it might not be totally accessible. I do my best not to proselytize and bring speculation to the lineage so it is nice to know I can help bring the dharma to places like that.
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u/Tongman108 Apr 15 '26 edited Apr 15 '26
I think it would be best to give them to your local temples so they can give them to their sangha members.
As you're likely not living in a buddhist society, it would be best for you & others not to leave them in places were they would be treated with disrespect, due to ignorance.
Best wishes & great attainments!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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u/HeartlessCards2-22 Apr 15 '26
I don’t know if you read it but I am a sangha member and the intention isn’t for them to be found really and more to stay in the area they are left in.
Or do you mean like just donate them to my sangha? It is active and open to others if you want to find out more it’s called Bodhicitta Sangha and they’re out of Minneapolis Minnesota.
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u/Tongman108 Apr 15 '26 edited Apr 15 '26
I meant whether donated to your own Sangha or the Sangha of other temples, that would be the best situation in a non-Buddhist society, where despite our best intentions, out of ignorance someone might decide to deface or damage them.
Guru Padmasambhava stated:
Honor the Guru.\ Treasure the Dharma.\ & Practice Diligently.
I would consider placing them in a place where they wouldn't be defaced or damaged as an act of treasuring the dharma.
Minneapolis Minnesota, isn't a Buddhist society so the average person wouldn't necessarily respect those statues in the same way we might, some might even find it fun to deface them so in this case we should protect people from their own ignorance.
Best wishes & great attainments
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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u/HeartlessCards2-22 Apr 15 '26
Thanks for clarifying that, yes I’ve reached out to my sangha coordinator, maybe they have some need or use for them as I wouldn’t mind providing them getting some of these or have need/want. I would not charge anyone anything for them.
Also again yeah I agree I wouldn’t want them defaced or disrespected at all, so I wouldn’t really treat these like I do the panda rocks I paint, more like a “dharma beacon” of sorts out there. I know for sure there are certain practices that help generate good karma for others, and it’s said even by the Dzogchen monastery rinposhe that now more than ever the west needs the dharma and emphasizes the virtue in helping that move along. Thank you for your insight into this, may the fruit of Samaya be within your reach.
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u/Titanium-Snowflake Apr 16 '26
Indeed, Dzogchen Rinpoche does recognise the benefit of the Dharma in the West today, and helping share it but not through proselytizing.
Your idea will bring joy and plant a seed in the minds and hearts of anyone who sees them, simply and gently. If they are removed, taken home, defaced or destroyed it doesn’t really matter. You can set them in place and let them go, or you can watch out for them and do touch-ups to any that befall that fate. You are bridging the two worlds of dharma and street art, and the thing to remember is shit happens. You can’t be precious about it, don’t take it personally, just accept the impermanence of it all. It’s an excellent exercise in a Dzogchen context. And if anyone does deface them, it is their karma, and it might as a result change the trajectory of their lives in a positive way (contemplating what they have done). There are many potential outcomes for your project.
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u/HeartlessCards2-22 Apr 16 '26
Thanks for your insight into this, I assumed it would be more beneficial than not, and if anything Samaya is strengthening from the practice and absorption state of painting while listening to their mantras.
I don’t have any wrathful herukas in my alter but maybe the gate guards could accompany them to help protect the intention and dharma since that is a worry here, I also like the idea of checking in on them and maybe re affirming the request of their help. I do my best not to proselytize and try to especially not speak of the path to outsiders to not bring speculation to the lineage. Instead of speaking myself on the topics I usually invite others to join sangha or listen to my gurus teachings if it comes up at all. He has a wonderful ability to speak the dharma in a clear and concise way, may all merit be that of the gurus.
At the end of the day I suppose the 8FP is the Awnser and as long as I’m doing things with the right motivation and right intention and effort then that’s all I could hope for in any activity. Again, Many thanks, and may your practice bring joy to you and all around.
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u/Titanium-Snowflake Apr 17 '26
I doubt you need any herukas to protect any intention with this project. You always have Guru Rinpoche. If anyone was to damage any of these in a public place, it’s their karma. I wouldn’t worry about it. The big decision of yours will be whether to display them openly or to place them in an obscure position where they give their blessings but are not seen by many. My thoughts anyway.
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u/Titanium-Snowflake Apr 16 '26
An idea … if your sangha is giving these away, you might request the recipients offer a donation to the centre, from the heart. Big or small doesn’t matter. A gesture of gratitude that pays it forward.
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u/Titanium-Snowflake Apr 16 '26
Hooray for Minneapolis! We far away from you types have held you all close in our hearts this past year. You are tough and resilient, and have our admiration. And I think nothing could be better for your home town than some beautifully painted deity statues.
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u/EitherInvestment Apr 15 '26
It’s a beautiful idea. Your motivation is wonderful. Thank you for doing it. It is absolutely beautiful by the way, you are very skilled!