Monday, April 26, 2010

Show me the shine in your Japan, the sparkle in your China



Bodhisattva







This weekend I went up to DC and met up with a group of friends. Throughout the week (maybe) I'll post more about the trip.


I think of all the things we did, the hour spent in the Freer Art Museum has the biggest impact on me.


Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Can you show me
The shine of your Japan
The sparkle of your china
Can you show me
Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
And I'll be there
To shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China
Yes I'll be there
Bodhisattva 


I immediately had this song playing in my mind (as apparently did a few of my companions)






I think the other thing that struck me most on this trip was learning about mandala's. 


I cannot erase this paragraph from my mind, 


"Another visual form associated with Buddhism is the mandala, a representation of an enlightened realm where union between the human and the sacred occurs. Most often, for example in Tibetan Buddhist art or in Japanese Esoteric Buddhist art, the mandala is a circular or square configuration, with a center that radiates outward into compartmentalized areas. The deity at the center of the configuration, who signifies absolute truth, engages in reciprocal interactions with figures in the outer precincts, who signify manifested aspects of that truth. The practitioner unites the outer manifestations in the center of the mandala and then internally absorbs the mandala as a whole."


Compartmentalized truth. Huh. 



For more cool photos from my friend Chris you can go here:


-***-
Sorry I've been so MIA. Work is keeping me busy - even in the evenings. Or just luxuriating in the idea that I have evenings free. And cooking.

4 comments:

Mamie said...

I've missed your posts. Glad you're having fun and keeping busy. And that you have your nights off! xoxo

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

yeah, the afternoon in the Freer was fabulous. Especially getting my little one to see though the camera and frame with the lens some of that unframeable work. We've had several nice conversations since then about happenings.

It was a good day! Glad you were with us! and, of course, the food!

The lamb stuffed chile releno was fabulous, as was the tamale. I didn't get to visit others plates before I had to run out and feed the parking meeter. But I hope you're was as good.

Then dinner with those rustic mussels . . .fabulous! (ok, until I overcooked the pork) and the beer brought us in a lot of cherry directions, and finally to yummm.

Oh and the cake! I almost forgot. I'll have to kiss kate for being so sweet, it was delicious.

When and where is your next outing? We have a week at the Adirondacks coming up for Bob and Bobby followed by a week at Cape Cod and as you know a river runs between it all.

I hope you're well!

Woodstock said...

Glad you enjoyed the Freer, Mit. Sorry I couldn't make lunch.