Publication
Imprint: Madison, Wisconsin : Soulful Media, c2008. Responsibility: a Soulful Media production ; produced, directed, edited by Isadora Gabrielle Leidenfrost. Performer(s): Narrator, Cynthia Kneen ; interviewees, Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo, Robert Thurman, Glenn Mullin, China Galland, Jonathan Landaw, James Powell II, Valrae Reynolds, Prema Dasara, Anahata Iradah, George Galt, Venerable Amy Miller, Venerable Gyaltsen Chopel, Venerable Rene Feusi, Carl Landsness, Suzie McKig, Kunga Nyima Delotsang, Gayle Curtis-Jones. OCLC Number: 319708718.
Physical: 1 videodisc (approximately 60 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in. Features: Notes: Special features: trailer; about the film maker; slideshow and notes on illustration; script and bibliography.
Call number
DVD / Front Desk
ISBN
9780978904517
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Description: The story of a western woman who became a fabric thangka maker. Now, with great love and devotion, she is bringing the gift of fabric thangka to our culture. Fabric thangka is a silk embroidered and appliquéd art form in Tibetan Buddhism and is also known as Appliqué Thangka, Brocade Thangka, and Silk Thangka. Fabric thangka is so rare that in some places it is only seen once a year, and then for only for a few hours. Trained in Dharamsala, India for nine years, Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo is one of the few female makers in the world and one of the only fabric thangka makers in the west. This film also explores Leslie's life-changing journey of discovering fabric thangka, her apprenticeship in Dharmasala, India, the step-by-step process of producing a fabric thangka, and the history and spiritual importance in Tibetan Buddhism. Through this film, we see her produce a thangka of the female Buddha Tara. In a sense, Leslie is like Tara. She became a master of a male tradition and we see fabric thangka through feminine eyes.
FY2017 / jvsn
FY2017 / jvsn
Library's review
The beginning of this film is entrancing as we watch monk after monk pour out of a monastery doorway carrying a 300 pound tangka rolled up like a carpet. The ten-story high piece is hung on the side of a mountain for a few hours of ceremony, and then carry it back inside for another twelve year
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wait when it will be be seen again. Even more interesting as we learn this is not a tangka painted on a fabric canvas, but a creation entirely of silk appliquéd and embroidered, entirely made by hand, and embellished with gold thread precious and semi-precious stones. Leslie (Freilich) Rinchen-Wongmo was similarly struck when she first saw fabric thagkas, so struck she moved to Dharamsala to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and the art of fabric tangka making. This moving film documents her life, artistic process, and completed work. Highly recommended especially for those interested in Buddhist, textiles, or sacred art. -- Jennife Show Less
Physical description
60 min p.; 4.75 inches
Media reviews
Amazon Review
Watching 'Creating Buddhas' is a dharma journey into the Divine Feminine--one of beauty, creativity, spaciousness, hope, and inspiration. My heart felt both full and open from seeing the gorgeous images and thangkas. Observing Leslie's creative process and listening to the wisdom of the speakers
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and energy of the songs and chanting--what an uplifting experience! --Marian Farrio Show Less
Amazon Review
Detail, devotion, and delight are words to describe Creating Buddhas. Not only is the journey of this ancient art form seen through Leslie's passion and skill in creating the fabric thangka, it is made beautifully visible by its filmmaker in capturing the pieces of both story and image. --Susan
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Eaton Mendenhall, Spatial Impact Show Less
Language
Original language
English