As far as art is concerned the first thing to be finished is the decoration work in Dhagpo Kundreul Ling's temple. This will complete the 16th Karmapa's wishes and also provide a structure where the 17th Karmapa can be welcomed.

The temple's workplace hosts to many artists who all follow the directions given to us by Shamar Rinpoche, Khenpo Chodrak and Jigme Rinpoche despite their different training backgrounds. The decisions that we are now making have paved the way for artistic transmissions in the future. A Sikkimese painter, venerable Norbu-la, who has spent thirty years of his life with the 16th Karmapa, essentially painting mural frescoes, has been teaching us skills over the past couple of years. When we asked Gendun Rinpoche how we should go about accomplishing a project for the continuation of Dharma art, he encouraged us not to rush things, but to establish solid foundations step by step, upon which it would not be necessary to backtrack.

At the moment the first step is the temple's decoration where training will take place corresponding to how much we put in to the project. With respect to Rinpoche's advice and looking at the example of the Karma Gadri history, we must have the patience to wait maybe several generations before a true Kagyu painting style is born in the West. However, if we don't start making efforts now, access to the source of the transmission will become more and more difficult.

There is another aspect which is of the utmost importance - the collection of paintings pictures from the past that can be used as a reference. This will also be one of the functions of the library which is currently being created at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in Dordogne.

We have also begun setting up painting retreats a few kilometres from Dhagpo Kundreul Ling to give those who really wish to commit themselves to the intensive practice of painting the conditions to actually do this. The requirements for such a project are great. One can help out by working in the temple, helping financially, assisting us with access to documents or even simply by making sincere wishes. In this way, we can continue to keep an authentic practice basis alive in order to help all beings travel the path to enlightenment. The more of us there are, the lighter this task will be.