Recently, I stopped in to a Westwood Gallery to catch an exhibition of art by celebrated spiritual leader - Shinjo Ito.
Ito was considered to be the foremost 20th Century Buddhist Master and artist.
Shinjo Ito (1906-1989), founder of the Shinnyo-en stream of Buddhism, was one of Japan's most versatile Buddhist sculptors and an accomplished artist in fields as diverse as calligraphy and photography.
On exhibit are a handful of significant works he created which "...give form to his deeply-held faith."
A centerpiece of the exhibit is the "Great Parinirvana Image". The dazzling sculpture of a reclining "Buddha Shakyamuni" - about to enter nirvana - is a detailed monumental work of art sixteen feet long. (pictured above)
The breathtaking display titled - "The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito" - began touring the world in 2006.
To complement the exhibit there is an accompanying art book with the same title.
According to scholars, the materials reveal for the first time Shinjo's unique capacity to "meld spirituality and artistry as well as realism and interpretation."
In sum, the collection is an inspirational testimony to one of Japan's most significant modern religious artists.
Shinjo was born into a religious Buddhist family in 1906.
Shinjo's mother was a follower of a faith derived from Japan's native religion, Shinto; while his father was a Zen Buddhist. But for the young Shinjo, it was the realms of science, art and mechanics that held most appeal.
Ito entered Kyoto's Daigoli monastery in 1936, the head temple of the Daigo School of Shingon Buddhism.
Shinjo proceeded to learn the Shingon esoteric teachings; then later on, became a Great Master (acharya).
Later, he incorporated his own spiritual leanings to make the path to enlightenment as accessible to lay trainees as their monastic leaders - and subsequently - created an offshoot by melding the teachings of the Nirvana Sutra (which emphasizes Buddhism for lay practitioners) with the esoteric Shingon canon he had mastered.
The Nirvana Sutra is one of the most seminal texts of Mahayana (Great Vehicle) Buddhism.
The heart of the message is that the essence of the Buddha is present in our time as well as a cosmic reality that knows no beginning and no end. Another key doctrine is that all sentient beings (humans) - even the most spiritually depraved - are endowed with the ability to reach enlightenment. It also stresses the dynamic blissful aspect of enlightenment in contrast to earlier teachings such as the emptiness of all phenomena.
Shinnyo devotees, therefore, welcome all practitioners on the path - without any distinction between lay disciples and monastic trainees - all-the-while encouraging a cultivation of the four infinite virtues of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.
At the Westwood gallery I was delighted to have the opportunity to also "sit" in meditation in the midst of the spiritual environs of this uplifting thought-provoking exhibit.
In fact, throughout the duration of the show, there will be a number of formal services for guests to actively participate in: meditation, yoga, chanting, shared personal experiences of practice, and dharma talks with mentors.
Info: www.westwoodartforum.com
May 8th - June 29th
Westwood Art Forum
1028 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
90024
