Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/03/10

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: Re: [Leica] Photos: a Tibetan Mandala - (non-Leica)
From: Peter Dzwig <pdzwig@summaventures.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 12:14:07 +0000
References: <BCEKKGNGDPMOIPMEJONBGEENEAAA.phong@doan-ltd.com>

Phong,

The photos are stunning and very interesting.

If you are interested in Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, can I recommend "The Land 
of the Sherpas" by Ella Maillart. It's a travelogue by the famous 
explorer/traveller relating her travels in Tibet in the early 50s. The photos 
are all taken on her Leica - and there are if I recall correctly there are about 
50 of them.

She had been using Leicas since the early 30s. Some of her photos are amazing 
see http://www.ellamaillart.ch/

Yours,

Peter

Phong wrote:
> A mandala is a painting made with extremely fine colored sand
> typically done by Tibetan monks who received mandala training 
> as part of their religious training.  It is a Tibetan buddhist 
> tradition rich with symbolism echoing the sacred texts.  The 
> making of a mandala is a devotional ritual, culminating in the 
> dismantling of the mandala and disposing the sand into a nearby 
> stream or river, the act of which symbolizes the impermanence of life, 
> a fundamental belief in the buddhist teaching.  I have always thought of
> this not unlike the old Zen calligraphy masters who burnt the
> scrolls after they are done with the art work.   (Imagine burning
> the negatives from your Leica ! )
> 
> The mandalas are constructed with great precision,
> using very simple tools to dispense the fine sand grains.
> They demand all the concentration and steadiness their makers can
> muster. When finished, they have a three-dimensional feel to them, which 
> when added to the intricate geometric patterns makes them look like
> a finely embroidered carpet.
> 
> This past week, three Tibetan monks spent several days constructing
> a mandala at MIT, here in Boston.  I spent some time with them
> during the process, and here are some photos.
> 
> Comments, criticisms, etc. very welcome and appreciated as usual.
> Otherwise, I hope you enjoy the photos.
> 
> http://www.phongdoan.com/Photography/Mandala/
> 
> - Phong
> 
> 
> --
> To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html
> 


- --
To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html

In reply to: Message from "Phong" <phong@doan-ltd.com> ([Leica] Photos: a Tibetan Mandala - (non-Leica))