Manjushri Portraits is a personal project. The idea came during my first stay in Manjushri, early 2013. Looking for a place to rest and to renew myself, it was my very first steps into the Kadampa Tradition.

 

The five weeks of my working visit were an unprecedented and powerful experience.

A human, social, philosophical and spiritual one. An experience made of collective life, teachings, meditation - all within a beautiful environment. Everyday was filled by meaningful encounters with sincere and open people.

 

These encounters gave me the desire to realize individual photographic portraits, as a complement to the wonderful pictures of the Spiritual Guide, the Temple, the Priory and crowds of practitioners.

 

Because in my experience - as the forest is made of trees - the strength of the Tradition and of the community also comes from each of its members. Ordained or not, teacher or not. Whether they have been living in Manjushri for almost 40 years or staying there for a couple of days.

Regardless of age, citizenship, origin, job or life path.

 

Two years later, for my second stay in Manjushri, during summer 2015, I now bring my camera. I’m here for two months and attend the Summer Festival, which temporarily raises the population from about a hundred to more than 3000. I reconnect with the Kadampas I met on the road to more peace in Manjushri, Paris, Le Mans, Vancouver, Montreal, and meet new people, of all kinds, practicing equanimity.

 

These 250 portraits, these 250 people were in Manjushri during summer 2015. Because, to them as for me, this place is important - if not vital.

 

Each individual is a facet of the tradition.

A testimony of this quest for happiness, wisdom and peace.

Each picture has its own story. Long or short. Always intense.

Each face can be read as a text, a teaching.

Thus, this gallery can be read as a book.

This book talks about love and respect for a place.

For a community and its members.

For a spirituality and its teachers.

 

Realising these portraits was a journey within the Tradition. Publishing them, it is offering a kind-hearted mirror to each subject, to the community and to the world.

 

If 250 Manjushri Portraits had been made 10, 20 or 35 years ago, who wouldn’t rejoice to see them today?

This summer 2015 gallery is to be read in the present tense. And, I hope, in 10, 20 or 35 years. To tell us further stories.

 

Much love

Étienne - sept. 2015