Artist Wanda Grein BUDDHA S LIGHT ART EXHIBITION Where the Buddha s teaching shines, there is the pureland of Buddha s light.

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1 Artist Wanda Grein BUDDHA S LIGHT ART EXHIBITION Where the Buddha s teaching shines, there is the pureland of Buddha s light. ~ Dharma Words by Venerable Master Hsing Yun 有佛光普照之地, 即是佛光淨土 ~ 星雲法語

2 About the Artist Wanda Grein Wanda has been a teacher of the Arts for more than 25 years. She teaches three days per week in her Art Studio where she conducts art classes for 87 students ranging in ages from 5 to 75 years of age. Wanda teaches all of the arts not just painting! When she is not teaching Wanda, has been involved in many community spiritual artistic ventures from mosaicking walls in schools and churches, painting murals, to creating and sculpting statues for Meditation and Healing Gardens. She first started painting the Buddha after a trip to Thailand where she discovered that to paint the face of Buddha requires more than just painting skill. In her view, to paint the Buddha, one must be able to submit themselves to open mindfulness, and be willing to let go of what the conscious mind dictates, and gently allow the spirit and soul to guide the painting hand. Her interest in Buddhist Art has developed from here, and she enjoys creating Buddha paintings which tell stories about Buddhism, its history and its teachings. She s particularly fascinated with combining Asian style painting skills, calligraphic lettering and textural techniques in her own artworks. Calling herself an intuitive artist, Wanda s ideas and creative imagination all come into play as she paints. Sometimes she sees the completed painted image on the white canvas before she has even started painting. She believes that to be able to allow oneself to tap into the artistic journey one is freeing their mind and soul and connecting with God. She encourages her students to adopt this attitude to their own painting regime. Wanda is delighted when her audience see her artwork with the heart rather with the mind. She knows then that she has touched, moved and inspired that person to make a small connection with the Divine. Words of Acknowledgement from the Artist It is with heart felt thanks and Gratitude that I have been given this wonderful opportunity to celebrate my artistry at my very first Art Exhibition Buddha s Light at the Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley NSW. I am honoured and humbled that my artwork has been appreciated and understood with the heart. My deepest thanks goes to the wonderful Reverend Maio Yong who without her gentle encouragement and faith in me as an artist, I would not have been able to experience this in my life time. I would also like to extend my thanks to Abbess Manko for her silent guidance, the other Reverends from the Nan Tien Temple, and the volunteers at the Temple who will be assisting during this Exhibition. In Gratitude again, and with Love, 2 Wanda Grein

3 Buddhas of the Five Directions The Buddhas of the Five Directions (Chinese: 五方佛 ), also known as the Five Wisdom Tathāgatas (Chinese: 五智如來 ; pinyin: Wuzhì Rúlái), the Five Great Buddhas and the Five Jinas (Sanskrit for conqueror or victor )are representations of the five qualities of the Buddha. These Budhas are actually different representations of Shakyamuni Buddha.Buddhism originates in the teachings of Shakyamuni (Gautama Siddartha), who was born in what is now Nepal some 2,500 years ago. Shakyamuni is an exaltation of the historical Buddha, meaning Sage of the Shakyans, the Shakyans being the tribal republic where the Buddha-to-be was born. 3

4 Prabhūtaratna (Duo Bao Buddha) This Buddha symbolizes the central direction and represents wealth. The hands are in a mudra of the ceremony of unction. 中央著粉紅色袈裟的是中央寶淨世界之教主多寶如來 代表財富俱足, 手結定慧智拳印 4

5 Amitābha Buddha This Buddha s symbolic direction is west and his hands are in a mudra of concentration. He signifies infinite light and boundless life. 西方著棕色袈裟的是西方極樂世界的教主阿彌陀如來 代表無量光 無量壽, 手結定印 5

6 Abhayajkara-tathāgata (Li Bu Wei Buddha) This Buddha s symbolic direction is east. He signifies confidence and fearlessness. The hands are in a mudra of appeasement or consolation. 東方著藍色袈裟的是離怖畏如來 代表自信和無畏, 手結安慰印 6

7 Amrta-rāja (Gan Lu Wang Buddha) This Buddha s symbolic position is north. He signifies calmness and purity. His hands are in a mudra of casting out fear. 北方著綠色袈裟的是甘露王如來 代表清涼自在, 手結無畏印 7

8 Surūpa (Miao Se Shen Buddha) This Buddha s symbolic direction is south. His hands are in a mudra of touching the ground. 南方著白色袈裟的是妙色身如來 代表諸根具足, 相好圓滿莊嚴, 手結觸地印 8

9 Goddess of Peace and Love (Purple Guan Yin) Guan Yin depicted here with the dragon, the lotus, the peace dove, Tibetan lettering, her hands in the Mudra of love and understanding. A combination of all Buddhist symbols Purple Guan Yin - associated with. She is painted purple because the colour is associated with the purple Hindu chakra of compassion and healing. Guan Yin is often depicted with a dragon which represents primal forces we are in the process of taming. And when they are tamed, they bring good fortune. The lotus for purity, the golden flask to hold the healing waters; a dove resting under her chin representing peace of heart. The dove represents the product of using a creative imagination. She wears a crown on her head which signifies her Bodhisattva with Avalokiteshvara - also shows Fully Conscious Infinite Light. Canvas size:90cmx120cm Acrylic on Canvas The wisest people are full of enthusiasm. ~ Dharma Words by Venerable Master Hsing Yun 能在眾中發揮熱力的人, 是最智慧的人 ~ 星雲法語 9

10 Blue Guan Yin depicted with her hands together in prayer and the Namaste greeting. She wears blue signifying the fire of purity and stands upon a red lotus with crane by her side. In Chinese Buddhist tradition, the crane is legendary in China for being the prince of all feathered creature on earth. Next to the Phoenix the Crane is the most favored all Chinese bird symbols. The Crane is the ancient symbol for longevity because of its exceptionally long life span. In many legends, the spirits ride on cranes, which are also said to bear the souls of the departed to the heavens. Behind Quan Yin is the full Moon depicting her royalty, her link to the Moon Goddess here on Earth. Canvas size:60cmx120cm Acrylic on canvas Nameste Guan Yin 10

11 Wise Guan Yin Portrait of Quan Yin the Goddess of Compassion Here Guan Yin is represented in a familiar pose, looking down with mercy and compassion, kindness and love. Her delicate crown signifies her Avalokitesvara meaning being of Bodhi or enlightened,one who has earned to leave the world of suffering and is destined to become Buddha, forgoing the bliss of Nirvana and taking the vow to save all the children of God. Each Butterfly in this painting represents a person or a soul who has learned well and has obtained freedom from their spiritual teacher Guan Yin. Canvas size:76cm x 76cm Acrylic and mixed media 11

12 Avalokiteshvara (Guan Yin and the 1000arms) Guan Yin depicted here as the Avalokiteshvara. Here Guan Yin is represented as vowing never to rest until she has freed all sentient beings from samsara, reincarnation. With the 1ooo arms she represents the omni present Mother. She senses the afflictions of humanity and extends her arms to alleviate them with infinite expressions of mercy. She upholds the Buddhist Dharma and carries with her a variety of implements to assist us in our lives. Canvas Size: 90cmx120cms Acrylic on canvas 12

13 Buddha s Light Three Quarter face Buddha with Five candle lights alongside his face.inspired artwork depicting ¾ face of Buddha coming out of the darkness to show his enlightened teachings represented by the five candles. The five candles are also linked to the Buddhas of the Five Directions. Canvas size: 105cmx75cm Acrylic and mixed,media on canvas. The power of meditation can subdue the inner demon. ~ Dharma Words by Venerable Master Hsing Yun 禪定的力量, 可以制伏心中的魔軍 星雲法語 13

14 Buddha Within Half Buddha s face with Butterflies and Chinese lettering of Meditation show that Buddhism is becoming a global practice of how we are all connecting to each other mind body and spirit. The butterflies signify the transformation we all make when adopt practices that lead us to understand ourselves and our connection to all living things. Buddha is patient, as we all find our way to enlightenment. Canvas size: 76cmx76cm Acrylic and mixed,media on canvas 14

15 Silent Buddha Buddha with white flowers falling alongside him. Flowers signifying when a lesson is learned, a flower falls apart. The flower lesson is a simple interpretation of the Lotus Sutra. He is named Silent Buddha As there are no words which can describe a deep human experience. As Buddha himself experienced in his life, it was being present to the beauty around him being in oneness with all that is,which gave him the greatest inner stillness and peace. Canvas Size:105cmx75cm Mixed media-oil and acrylic paint. 15

16 This painting celebrates Buddha s Birthday where religious- monk children representing all Buddhist Nations, Western thought with the young children holding red lanterns can all be part of the Buddha Birthday celebrations. All religious faiths can participate in this auspicious Buddhist event. When we stand as One with the understanding that we are all on a journey to enlightenment in some way we can appreciate our differences and looks to see what makes us ONE. Even the Devas (angelic beings) are flying in to celebrate the Birthday. The Bodhi Tree painted in the middle of a meditative Buddha. Canvas Size: 90cm x 120cms Acrylic on canvas Simply Buddha

17 Be the Light Standing under a Bodhi tree red Buddha angel holding a candle in preparation for meditation and quiet contemplation. Inside the glowing light are the words Be the Light. This a is a reminder to all of us that we are worthy Human beings and placing our faith and trust in words of wisdom, thinking, speaking and doing good positive deeds leads to our own enlightenement. Canvas Size: 45cmx45cm Acrylic on canvas The happiest people have peace of mind. ~Dharma Words by Venerable Master Hsing Yun 能在心中尋找和平的人, 是最幸福的人 ~ 星雲法語 17

18 I am that, I am Little Buddha angel standing in front of a Bodhi Tree holding an orb of light from which Butterflies are flying away. This cut image demonstrates the transformation power Buddhism can teach all of us, and that we all have the opportunity for enlightenment once we discover who we really are. Canvas Size:45cmx45cm Acrylic on canvas 18

19 We are all One Two Buddha Angels holding a candle together demonstrating that on our human journey we are never alone. We have the infinite love and wisdom of the Buddha to guide us through. Canvas size:30cm x 30cm Acrylic on canvas. 19

20 Let the Buddha s Light shine over three thousand realms. Let the water of Dharma flow through the five continents. 佛光普照三千界法水長流五大洲 For more info: Web: anzdailynews@gmail.com 180 Berkeley Rd. Berkeley Tel: Published by Nan Tien Temple