The art of making bronze has a long history on the Tibetan Plateau, especially in the valley of Dzongsar in Dêgê County, Sichuan Province. One particular tradition is known in Tibetan as khyenle: khyen refers to the Dzongsar Khyentse Buddhist lineage, and le means bronze.
In this video, the master artisan Nima, along with his son and apprentice Dawa Dakpa, describe the processes of making bronze and its importance within the local community. Nima and Dawa are the sixth and seventh generations of the Khyentse bronze lineage, and together they maintain the tradition, crafting exquisite bronze statues, rituals objects, and musical instruments. Intense focus is essential to bronze work. To create a Buddhist deity in bronze requires full concentration and thoughts that are both positive and compassionate. Both artists say that when they work, their state of mind is akin to meditation.
Learn more about Tibetan bronze work: s.si.edu/3bg2lk0
Producer: Dawa Drolma
[Catalog No. CFV11255; © 2017 Smithsonian Institution]