I've recently completed a new large diptych inspired by Bhutanese architectural sites I have visited. A few months ago, I posted about a watercolor I had done while experimenting with this idea.
Pearls of Wisdom II
36 x 48 inches
acrylic on Kalamkari fabric
A simple circular dharma wheel appears in both panels of the diptych. The golden rims of the wheels enclose "swirls of joy" that spiral outward like a Chinese yin-yang symbol. The four colors swirling together correspond to the four directions and elements, and symbolize the Buddha’s teachings upon the Four Noble Truths.
Pearls of Wisdom I
36 x 48 inches
acrylic on Kalamkari fabric
Winds carrying the Three Jewels is a common decorative element on buildings in Bhutan. Several stylized motifs representing the winds have been incorporated in the painting below.
Pearls of Wisdom II
36 x 48 inches
acrylic on Kalamkari fabric
Motivated by a desire to reintroduce bright colors into my painting, I am studying the vibrantly painted Buddhist symbols that decorate Himalayan temples and monasteries. A particularly brilliant blue hue on the doorway pictured below was unlike any I have experienced. I have attempted to contrast this blue against the very warm colored fabric surface.
A simple circular dharma wheel appears in both panels of the diptych. The golden rims of the wheels enclose "swirls of joy" that spiral outward like a Chinese yin-yang symbol. The four colors swirling together correspond to the four directions and elements, and symbolize the Buddha’s teachings upon the Four Noble Truths.
36 x 48 inches
acrylic on Kalamkari fabric
The Four Noble Truths contain the essence of the Buddha's teachings.
- The truth of suffering (Dukkha)
- The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudaya)
- The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha)
- The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Marga)
The Four Noble Truths were presented by the Buddha in the first sermon at Deer Park and are considered one of the most important teachings.
On Christmas Day 2017, I made the pilgrimage to Deer Park in Sarnath, India where the Buddha taught his first taught sermon, the "Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta." The name of this teaching means, "Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion."
The massive Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath marks the spot where the Buddha gave that first sermon to his first five brahmin disciples.
Some of the intricate sandstone carvings decorating the stupa remain.
The banding of patterns on this block-printed Kalamkari fabric reminded me of the sandstone carvings on the Dhamek Stupa.
The wide black horizontal and vertical bands on the fabric also reminded me of the black beams on the Bhutanese structure pictured below.
A row of giant white circles on a black beam is startlingly bold in contrast to the ornate geometric designs and complex pastel floral elements on the same facade. These circles may represent the moon. Another row of smaller white circles (or pearls) on an orange background relate to the "flaming pearl", a symbol of wisdom and spiritual awareness. "Pearls" like these are a featured element in my diptych.
On the lintel shown below, a chrysanthemum motif encloses a pearl and is surrounded by spiraling gusts of wind. Winds carrying the Three Jewels appear on the capitol of the column which is topped with a row of flaming pearls surrounded by golden rings.
Here are links to a few of the informative articles I have been reading about Buddhist Symbolism:
The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbolism
Don't forget to check out my artwork available at my Etsy store, Facebook page, as well as my Instagram feed.
Don't forget to check out my artwork available at my Etsy store, Facebook page, as well as my Instagram feed.
