Religion:Terris Nguyen Temple

Terris Nguyen Temple, born in California 1944, studied the art of Tibetan Thangka painting in Nepal during the years 1966 to 1975. For the past twenty five years, the Nguyen Temples have been the official artists to the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and Tsurphu Monastery, Tibet.

Terris, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Leslie, and son Sonam Dorje

History

Terris' first teacher was the State Artist of Tibet, the late Master Jampa Tsedan, the Dalai Lama's artist. Later Terris studied with the late Ven. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche - Simla, India; the late Sherpa artist Pargyaltsen (Kapa Ngawong Damcho) - Nepal; the late Dolpo artist Pema Wangyal, and the late Newar artist Siddhimuni Shakya - Kathmandu. In 1969 Terris became one of the 16th Karmapa's original Western disciples. At the suggestion of the 16th Karmapa besides making thangkas, he began also painting birds and flowers on Maui, Hawaii in 1976. Many of these paintings are of contemporary, extinct and endangered species. A few are graced with his calligraphy at 8 and 14 years old in Tibet. Terris is passionate on the preservation of our environment for future generations. In 1974 at the invitation of the Ven. Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Terris taught thangka painting at the then Naropa Institute in Boulder Colorado, now Naropa University. This was the opening year of the Institute.

Tsurphu Appliques

1992–1997 Terris and fellow artist Leslie Nguyen created two giant silk appliques for Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet.

Karma Gadri Goku applique

Tsurphu Monastery is the Karmapa's main seat in Tibet and was established in 1187 by the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa. The Karma Gadri Applique (gos-sku chen-mo, 108 ft x 76 ft, 35m x 23m). The Mahakala Goku (applique, gos-sku chen-mo, 30 ft x 30 ft, 10m x 10 m).

The Mahakala Applique

The originals had been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in the mid 1960s, and no photographic records existed. The Abbot of Tsurphu, the Venerable Drupon Dechen Rinpoche gave the artists oral instructions.

Two ceremonial banners, as companion pieces for the two giant appliques were requested by Tsurphu in 1997. These works are shown annually during major cultural festivals at Tsurphu, attended by devotees from all over Tibet, a tradition that began at the monastery in 1590. During Saga Dawa, the festival honoring the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and Parnirvana, the Karma Gadri Goku is shown. The Tsechur Drabje (40m x 2m, 120 ft x 7 ft) which is the ceremonial companion piece, is being made now in India by the 17th Karmapa. Upon completion the two artists will take it to Tsurphu. The Mahakala Goku (completed in 1997), and its companion the Gutor (Norbu) Drabje appliqué (completed in 2007). They are both 120’ x 8’ (40 m x 2 m) and are used during the Gutor Festival to purify the Tibetan Lunar New Year. The Tsechur Drobje drawings were presented in 2016 to the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje. The sewing work is expected to be completed in 2019 and will also be given to Tsurphu Monastery.

The Gyalwa Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje is the supreme head of the 900 year old Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. Terris and Leslie are involved with the Karmapa’s Koryug Organization, doing environment projects in the Himalayas.

Official letter from the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa introducing Terris Temple and Leslie Nguyen.

Terris is also the Executive Director of Liberation Arts, a registered USA non profit organization, relating to art, culture and the environment. Liberation Arts was created with advice from the 17th Karmapa in 2010.

Current Projects

Presently Terris is executive producer in a feature documentary “Thongdrol” on the subject of Tibetan art especially the lineage style Karma Gadri with the Karmapa. He is also completing a documentary “Tsurphu, the Giant Appliques", using the archival footage of the giant appliqués created for Tsurphu, 1992–2017.

Terris and Leslie continue making contributions to Tibetan Art.