In early March 2024, we received a special request from Gakar Tulku Rinpoche. He wanted to create a Guru Rinpoche statue for his new Dharma center (Sri Wijaya Dharma Kirti Dharma Centre) in Indonesia, built by his dedicated students. By April, we started planning the project. At first, the idea was to make a 30-inch statue, but after talking with his students, Rinpoche decided to go bigger with a 48-inch statue.

With Rinpoche’s guidance, our head craftsman, Rabi Raj Shakya, led the project. Rabi Raj is the heart of Rupamaker’s craftwork. He makes sure every statue is made with care and finished on time. He started learning carving at age 12 and worked with the respected master Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche. His deep knowledge and attention to detail ensured the statue met the highest standards.

The Making Process

First, we chose the right artist. After looking at designs from many creators, we picked Rajesh Shakya, a master with over 40 years of experience. We had worked with him before and trusted his skills. Rinpoche gave us many images of Guru Rinpoche statues for reference. The Big Guru Padmasambhava statue in Sechen Monastery became the main inspiration.
By May, work on the statue began, and by early July, the first wax model was ready. While Gakar Rinpoche was away, his brother, Sey Namkha Rinpoche, visited our workshop to check the progress. We made some changes to the chest, hat, and shoes to get the proportions right. These adjustments were done by August, and we moved to the next step.
By late September, the wax model was cast in copper, and the detailed carving started. Even with a tight two-month deadline, this phase was completed well. Namkha Rinpoche visited again to check the progress, and we made sure every detail matched Rinpoche’s vision. The design had simple carvings, with more detailed work on the robe’s edges. By late November, the carving was done.

Gold Coating and Final Touches
Adding gold is a key step in making a statue, as it enhances its beauty and meaning. Under Rabi Raj’s guidance, our expert gilder, Umesh, used about 55-56 grams of 24k gold on the statue. This step was carefully watched to make sure the gold coating was perfect, as it greatly affects the statue’s final look.
Next came painting the face, which is often seen as giving life to the statue. Aayusha Shakya, a skilled artist with nearly 10 years of experience, took on this delicate task. We reviewed every detail to make sure the face showed the calm expression of Guru Rinpoche. By January 1, 2025, the painting was done, turquoise stones were added, and the statue was ready.

Final Check
Both Gakar Rinpoche and Namkha Rinpoche came to see the finished statue. They suggested small changes to the painting, which we quickly made. With these final touches, the statue was complete and met both Rinpoches’ expectations.
On January 5, 2025, the finished statue was sent to the Dharma center in Indonesia, marking the end of months of hard work.

Looking Back
Making a statue of this size and importance in a short time was challenging. But thanks to the dedication of our team, the project was a great success.
We are honored to have been part of this meaningful project and hope the statue inspires and benefits all who see it.
We want to thank Rinpoche’s students, especially Witi, who helped oversee the Dharma center and made sure the statue arrived on time.