Bodhidharma

.....Credited with bringing Zen Buddhism to China from India in the 6th century C.E., Bodhidharma is a favorite theme of Buddhist art and Zen art in particular. He is renowned for having meditated for nine years in front of a blank wall at Shaolin Temple, world famous for its martial arts, before becoming enlightened. Stories about his life and efforts are a rich tradition that, born in Asia, is now spreading to the West.

.....Ideally, Zen paintings of Bodhidharma are done with a brush in a single rapid flow of spontaneous action, and there are indeed artists who specialize in this type of Bodhidharma painting. The ones below, however, are portraits rather than Zen paintings, and are done quite carefully with a variety of brushes (these include horsehair for the large swirls and circles; goat for the strong lines; beaver tail for facial lines; roe tail for shading; and even a chicken feather brush, which was used for the major lines in the second portrait). The faces are based on or even exact replicas of traditional portraits of Bodhidharma that can easily be found in nations with Zen traditions.

.....The traditional sternness of his expression (for example in the second, third and fourth portraits) is to reflect his unswerving determination to become enlightened, but I have added a few of my own touches to some of these portraits in hopes of making Bodhidharma more approachable and loveable as a human being on the great quest. We trust that he doesn't mind!
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Bodhidharma

click on pictures below to enlarge.








(Private collection, Seoul)







(Private collection, Washington,D.C)







(Private collection, London)

Others

Amitabha Jewel Mandala

Colors on hemp, 120cm dia., 1990

Since temple paintings are a traditional art form based on the sutras, there is little room for creativity. So artists often apply a creative streak to their own works for exhibitions and contests. This painting features Amitabha in the center being held on the hands of a Bodhisattva. He is surrounded by other Buddhas in the inner circle and by alternating jewels and Bodhisattvas in the outer circle, with Avalokitesvara's mantra in Sanskrit going in opposite directions. Other Buddhist designs and patterns have been added between the inner and outer circles, and designs on the outer edge provide for an additional sense of motion as well as a cosmic flavor.
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Buddhist Paradise Jewel Tree

Colors on hemp, 145cm (H) x 100cm (W), 1994

Jewel trees are an important part of the environment of the Western Paradise as described in the Amita Sutra, and they can be found in the traditional Paradise paintings with their own auras and all. This is a separate work inspired from the traditional paintings but with a more modern accent on the clouds. The earthy hemp background color on the top was left unclouded to emphasize the teaching that ultimately paradise is to be found here on earth.
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Buddhist Jewels

Colors on hemp, 185cm (H) x 47cm (w) each

These two panels of jewels are done as separate works, one done heavily in reds, yellows and oranges, and the other in blues and greens. This symbolizes balance and the complementary nature of the cosmic principles of yin and yang.
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Guardians of the Healing Buddha -- The Rooster

India ink on mulberry paper, 62cm (H) x 36cm (W)

Although more commonly known in the West as the Oriental Zodiac, the 12 animals -- rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, sheep, horse, monkey, chicken, dog and pig -- are Guardians of the Healing Buddha in Buddhism. This rooster is done in India ink, although the set of 12 is often done in traditional colors on hemp or paper, or sometimes in 99% pure gold on artificial silk. The original line drawings for the guardians were done by Ven. Manbong.
Monk

India ink on mulberry paper, 70cm (H) x 30cm (W)
Private Collection, England

Inspired by the simplicity of Zen art, this ink work is based on a figure from a more complex painting of a set of Arhats or enlightened ones. The transparency of the figure suggests the nonduality of the individual and the cosmos.
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