“SACRED GATE WITH THE SEAL OF
UNIVERSAL COMPASSION”
95 x 70 cm.
Mixed media on Belgian linen.
This painting mirrors the power of Avalokitesvara, in Buddhism the embodiment of universal compassion.
Avalokitesvara is the dynamic aspect of Amitabha, one of the five Dhyani Buddhas.
He is the manifestation of supreme wisdom and the expression of the heart, which is ready to fearlessly descend in the suffering of the world, to transform the poisons into life elexir.
It is said that out of Avaloketisvara's body thousand arms sprouted, in order to help wherever possible.
This canvas is a combination of the Buddhist "wheel of life" and the power of Avaloketisvara.
The wheel of life traditionally categorises all different kinds of non-enlightened existence. In its axis normally the three aspects keeping this wheel of suffering in perpetual movement, are shown.
Here however, we see Avaloketisvara as lotus bearer in the centre. His mantra OM-MANI-PADME-HUM is resonating in order to enlighten all aspects and causes of suffering, as indicated in the wheel of life.
In the background of this painting I repeated this mantra in the corresponding Braille writing, as well as in sign language. With this I wanted to indicate the endless effort of this enlightened Bodhisattva to bring truth to the ones which are still "deaf" and "blind".
