Join us for an inspirational, fun and educational evening! ALIX is delighted to welcome members and their guests to a special evening with Carmen Mensink, a renowned painter and teacher of Tibetan Art. Carmen is based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and gives workshops and private lessons internationally.

During our 3 hour evening workshop, you will learn how to draw the famous Endless Knot Symbol, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. 

The Endless Knot or Eternal Knot (Skt. shrivatsa; Tib. dpal be’u) has no beginning and no end, and represents the beginningless rounds of existence. It also indicates the link of wisdom and compassion in a Buddha’s enlightenment and is therefore considered to be the ‘lucky diagram’.

This special knot is part of the Eight Auspicious Buddhist Symbols (that Carmen painted for the Dalai Lama), which derived from a group of early Indian symbols of royalty which were presented at ceremonies (such as the coronation of a king). 

Besides being decorative, the Eternal Knot is seen as an auspicious sign of spiritual and material well-being. As it’s such a popular symbol among Tibetan Buddhists it can be found in most homes and as well as in monasteries. You’ll find it on all kinds of sacred and not sacred objects, such as prayer wheels, wooden furniture, metalwork, on walls, carpets and silk brocades. There are many different forms of the Eternal Knot, and this evening you will create your own!

The course is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever. The workshop attendance will be limited.