Online Buddhist Painting Course
Online Buddhist Painting Course
“If you wish to contemplate the Buddha, you should contemplate a painted image. To see this image as no different from the Tathāgata—this is called contemplating the Buddha.”
Why We Started the School
Several existing students have wished to study Buddhist painting in depth over the long term, and in response the atelier is opening an online course. Grounded in the scriptures, ritual manuals and traditional iconography of Buddhism and esoteric Buddhism, it offers professional instruction over Zoom, aiming at both iconographic accuracy and pictorial beauty.
To give sustained and careful guidance suited to each student’s foundation, the course will for now be offered only to existing students, and there is no public enrollment. Thank you for your understanding.
What You Will Learn
Each student chooses to complete a single figure, a triad, or a maṇḍala of relatively simple composition. Instruction covers:
- Choosing a subject
- Gathering and interpreting scriptures, ritual manuals and traditional iconography
- Settling the iconographic basis and composition
- Making and revising the line drawing
- Transferring the drawing, coloring and detailing
- Reviewing the work at each stage
- Checking the finished work
The instructor gives individual guidance according to each student’s subject and foundation, and demonstrates the painting process alongside, so that students can observe the complete working method, painting technique and process of judgment.
Terms and Sessions
Who May Join
- Existing students who have mastered the basics of line drawing and coloring.
- In principle, able to attend the whole term, and willing to complete a full work through repeated revision and guidance.
- Equipped with a device, internet connection and camera setup that can run Zoom reliably, so that the work and the painting process can be shown during instruction.
- Respectful of the scriptures, ritual manuals and iconographic tradition of Buddhism and esoteric Buddhism, and willing to study and paint according to guidance.
When Applications Open
The online course is still being prepared and is not yet accepting applications. The start date and how to apply will be announced on this website.
The schedule and eligibility above reflect current plans and may change before the course begins; the announcement at that time will apply. For other questions, please write to the email address listed on the Contact page.
Ask About Joining
The online course is still being prepared and is not yet accepting applications; the start date and how to apply will be announced on this website. The form below is shown only so that you can see in advance what an application will ask; it cannot be filled in or submitted yet.
Please fill in the form below. Fields marked “Required” must be completed; the others may be left blank.
After you submit, an automatic email will confirm that we have received your inquiry. The atelier usually replies by email within two weeks. This inquiry serves only to learn about your previous study, the subject you wish to paint and whether instruction is feasible; it is not an application. If we confirm that the course suits you, we will send the exact dates, fees, course rules and other details by email.