Welcome to SonMani!
A place that honors the essence of Vietnamese culture and the wisdom of Vajrayana Buddhism.
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
Tibetan Symbols and Motifs
This research work on Tibetan spiritual art is the culmination of eight years of dedicated painting and a lifetime of contemplation on the origins and hidden meanings within each brush, revealed through one of humanity's greatest artistic traditions. Thousands of individual details come together to form 169 illustrations, showcasing ritual objects and their stylized forms. The content of the book is like a vibrant tapestry woven from the origins, meanings, and functions of symbols — rooted in India, Tibet, and China — using the loom of Buddhist wisdom.
This classic work is not only for those interested in Tibetan culture but also for artists, designers, and anyone seeking meaning in life through Eastern philosophies.
Vāsanā
This independent documentary project explores the theme of vāsanā or “karmic imprint.” The film follows individuals who may seem distant — separated by multiple time zones and thousands of kilometers — but are profoundly connected by Buddhist wisdom and a love for art.
Why do we venture forth and sacrifice so much to follow our intuition? Is there an invisible thread that links and drives us all? What is the true meaning of this life?
A mix of passion and insanity.
The documentary is a tribute to the artists Robert Beer and his partner Gill Farrer-Halls, as well as to the Vajrayana artists and practitioners in Nepal and India. It carries multiple layers of meaning and messages — addressing questions of faith, perseverance, humanity, and the strength to overcome adversity.
This is also the next step in our journey of “a mix of passion and insanity.” In the challenging conditions of an independent project, we take on various roles and fully self-fund the production.
The documentary is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Director and Producer
Quynh Do
Content
Quynh Do
Filming
Jigme Yushi Quynh Do
Editor
Quynh Do Jigme
![Pravira Tara, the Heroine [1/21]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2f1e04_099e08d92c394e8cbc9253ed413be62f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_473,h_630,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/2f1e04_099e08d92c394e8cbc9253ed413be62f~mv2.jpg)
![Pravira Tara, the Heroine [1/21]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2f1e04_099e08d92c394e8cbc9253ed413be62f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_472,h_630,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/2f1e04_099e08d92c394e8cbc9253ed413be62f~mv2.jpg)
Welcome to SonMani!
A place that honors the essence of Vietnamese culture and the wisdom of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Just like in ancient times, when Kaundinya introduced Buddhism to our country and harmonized it with the culture of the ancient Vietnamese, Vajrayana Buddhism also gradually integrated into the profound beauty of Vietnamese temples. Within this flow, SonMani aims to transform traditional Vietnamese lacquer into a vibrant expressive language for thangka artworks...