Announcing the Treeleaf Art Circle

[alan.r]

Second what everyone has already said: a lovely way to see everyone's personal expression of Zen/Buddhism. I have a several projects going at the moment, and with teaching creative writing already, I'm not sure how much creative energy I'll have to spare, but I'll stop in with interest. I'm looking forward to the pieces that come out of this.

Gassho,
Alan
sat today

[RichardH]

Is this open to all skill levels? Thanks


..sat2day•合掌

Absolutely. The only things needed are an interest in the Dharma subjects we will look into. A curiosity about how they may relate to your own practice. ......and a willingness to play/explore.


Gassho
Daizan

sat today

[Troy]

Absolutely. The only things needed are an interest in the Dharma subjects we will look into. A curiosity about how they may relate to your own practice. ......and a willingness to play/explore.


Gassho
Daizan

sat today

Sounds cool!

[Amelia]

I am also on board with this.

[Joyo]

Thank you, Daizen. I am very interested in joining also.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Gukan]

Daizen, this sounds wonderful. I'd be interested in taking part. Thank you!

Gassho,
Libby

sattoday

[Taikai]

Daizan, I love this idea and would like to take part too.

Gassho, Taikai
Sat today

[RichardH]

Hello Sangha. The Treeleaf Art Circle sub-forum is open.

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14334-Welcome

Please feel free to say Hi on the Welcome thread, ask any question, and speak whatever comes to mind about this project.

There is just a bit of sub-forum housework to do, and we can look at the first project/exploration later this week.

DEEP BOWS to you all

Gassho
Daizan

sat today

[RichardH]

Art Circle Project #1 : Buddha touching the Earth

There was a pause before writing this because “where to start?” brought up so much, but things have sorted themselves out. Here is the first subject for the Art Circle to explore. The full project post can be found here. http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...hing-the-Earth

Please feel free to join in.....



It seems like the best place to start is not the beginning, which depending on how it is framed goes back before Shakyamuni, to Buddha Dipankara, then back through numberless Buddhas of prior kalpas (cosmic ages) …before dissolving in a jeweled web of pure abstraction (from a conceptual standpoint). These visions of a fantastic web and the related sutras are a treasure trove of imagery, and will be a great subject for future projects. More practically, we could go back to Siddhartha Gautama's recognition of old age, disease, and death. That recognition will also be a great subject to explore, and a powerful one, because we can all relate to grief and fear. However, we are practicing Zen, and as a student of this sangha I am learning that the best place to start is touching the earth.

There are different versions of the telling, but the old story goes something like this…

The Buddha is sitting under the Bodhi Tree. Mara has been trying every trick in the book to tempt, distract, discourage, or dissuade him from the way of awakening. Finally Mara himself claims Enlightenment and calls to witness gods and celestial spirits. There is a great display and pomp, and glory. Then he challenges the Buddha “Who will YOU call to witness your awakening?” and with this the Buddha simply reaches down and touches the Earth. In some versions the Earth roars and there is a display of magic, but the key point is the Buddha does not call upon heaven, he touches the ground.


earthwitnessmudra.jpg

I am not learning to touch an idea of the earth, not an idea of the earth as sacred (though it is), or as healthy or sick (though it can be). The Earth being touched is not framed by any idea at all, while making room for all ideas. It is the sheer sanity of the ordinary ground. Learning to touch the earth is learning to step out of my story, and all stories. These stories are not an error, but they are not an absolute either, and so they can be let-go-of in the simplicity of Zazen. In the simple act of sitting, without an agenda, in openness, the sane ground presents itself. Dishes clatter, birds sing, a plane goes overhead, a knee has a twinge, stories appear to compel for moment, then fade.




Thank you, Gassho, Daizan
….and a reminder of what the signature says below