This rendition of the 'Four Harmonious Friends' is hand-knit without using patterns.  Inspired by Lama Zopa's love of animals, I wanted to incorporate animals in a Buddhist knitted creation.  They have been specially crafted for this Maitripa auction. 

This knitted version of the four harmonious friends, consists of four separately knit creations placed together in a 23” tall stack.  They were knit without patterns using soft wool yarn, they are stuffed with hypo-allergenic polyester fiberfil, and made stiff with chenille wire stems. As a member of the Deer Park, I used a painting of the four harmonious friends from the entrance to the temple as inspiration for my knitting.  The inspiration to use to my knitting skills to make animals to donate came from my wish to make an offering in honor of Lama Zopa, who has such an incredible love for and dedication to animals.  Although it is possible to disassemble the set, they are intended to be displayed as a set to remind us of the message of this famous Jataka tale.