“Like a skilled artist
Spreading various colours
Creating different forms from illusion
Though the elements have no distinction
Within elements there is no colour
Within colour there are no elements
Yet not apart from elements
Colours can be perceived
Within mind there is no painting
Within painting there is no mind
Yet not apart from mind
Paintings can manifest.”
——Avatamsaka Sutra, Enlightenment Forest Bodhisattva Gatha
Mind, Buddha, and all beings share this same nature
- empty yet luminous, unfindable yet manifesting.
Just as an artist creates worlds through mind, the world we perceive is created by mind.
This Gatha guides my understanding of art as spiritual practice. Each piece captures moments of connection, sharing luminous glimpses.
Through practice and study, I first establish a heartfelt bound with each enlightened being before shaping their presence into visual form. The essence that flows through varies - sometimes it's playful joy, sometimes boundless love, sometimes unwavering power. By sharing these authentic connections, I aspire to transcend the mere form to resonate deeply, allowing the audience to naturally sync with the enlightened energies within themselves.
May these images speak to a wider audience, especially nurturing young hearts. May they blossom into future dharma connections. May they kindle the light of awakening.