Exploring Art, Travel, and Spiritual Encounters
Art as a Spiritual Expression: art is a divine thread woven into the tapestry of religious and philosophical traditions. From the delicate brushstrokes of thangka paintings to the meticulous geometry of mandalas, artistic creation is a portal to the divine. In this column, Rebecca is on a constant journey to unravel the profound significance of art within Buddhism and beyond. Through her travels and encounters with artists, masters, and more, she deciphers hidden codes, exploring the intricate intersections of ritual, symbolism, and artistic expression.
Rebecca Wong (Samten Drolma)
Rebecca Wong, an Oxford graduate in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), has transitioned from the corporate world to a life infused with art, travel, and spirituality. In “Mandala Butterfly,” she invites readers to join her on a transformative journey—a fusion of creativity, exploration, and meaningful connections.
The Zhung Dratshang Preservation and Antiquities Conservation Center supports the preservation and continuity of Bhutan’s heritage
Rebecca Wong explores the most comprehensive book on Buddhist dance and movement heritage from one of BDG’s veteran columnists
From Nepal to Bhutan, Rebecca Wong traces sacred locations of powerful feminine energies in Laurence Brahm’s movie “The Dakini Code”
Rebecca Wong celebrates the life and work of Ani Choying Drolma, one of the most recognizable faces of contemporary Buddhist music
Rebecca Wong encounters three guides on her pilgrimage to pay homage to three “mandala stupas” in Manjushri’s land of Nepal
From the majestic Kumbum Monastery to a cave on the outskirts of Liangzhou, hints of a sorceress-queen who resisted the world conqueror
Peter Van Ham has spent over three decades devoted to the documentation of this monastery connecting Tibet’s first and second diffusions
British Library researcher and specialist Sam van Schaik brings magic back to its rightful prominence in Buddhist practice
Rebecca Wong presents the case for how the greatest artist of modern China may have been a disciple of Vajrayana Buddhism
Rebecca Wong’s interview with Prof. Georgios Halkias reveals striking mutual influences between Buddhism and the Hellenistic legacy
Rebecca Wong speaks with an Explorer of the Millennium about his discovery of a hidden land in Tibet’s Tsangpo Gorge
Acclaimed Bhutanese artist Kinzang Chojay shares with Rebecca Wong the artistic secrets of his country’s exquisite expression of thangkas
