If you want to experience and discover Buddhism, Korea is a wonderful place to do so. Buddhism, to my understanding, came to this land as early as 372 AD and is a process of self-discovery for not just the locals, but also for expats here. It is a marvellous environment for a foreigner, to embrace this form of religion and explore this spiritual practise. There are many temples that you can make your sanctum, if you choose to walk on the path of spiritual abode, several opportunities where you can try to strike a union with your inner self, discover inner peace and solace.
With the background of a country that boasts of such association with spirituality, I wanted to share with you a wonderful gift that my Ma-in-law gave us as we set off to make our new home in this part of the world, a beautiful Buddha miniature, hand-carved in brass :-)
My Ma-in-law has wonderful taste, every corner of our home in India reflects her personal warmth and grace, and it came as absolutely no surprise when she chose what was the most serene piece in the store :-) I love its features, the delicate carving, the slight shades of blue and green, interspersed with the metal, the eyebrows gently knitted together, converging at the middle of the forehead, the eyes closed in deep meditation, the beautiful robe, the contours of the palm, the nose and the mouth.
For us this goes beyond being an artefact, for there is something so tranquil about this statue, it reflects the state of the mind of the artisan who crafted it, a symbol of the peace and serenity that he or she must have attained with several years of practise of this school of spirituality.
We all have difficult days, days when the mind isn't calm, when there are some not-so-positive thoughts plaguing the mind, when there is a sense of worry or anxiety in the heart, and at such moments, a glimpse of our Buddha soothes us and imparts that much desired tranquility...
And in the evenings, you can almost feel a murmuring comfort emanating from the combination of this beautiful brass miniature and its candle companion, and you can look on, and gaze and gaze, as you feel peace seeping into every corner of your being. The mind is sedated, the thoughts are pure and poised, a paradisiacal bliss envelopes the surroundings, and there is this wonderfully reassuring feeling in the air, the feeling when you know you are being watched over :-)
So here's to greater awakenings, to peace of mind and contentment with the 'self' and a desire for lesser desire. May we all discover the Buddha within ourselves !
With the background of a country that boasts of such association with spirituality, I wanted to share with you a wonderful gift that my Ma-in-law gave us as we set off to make our new home in this part of the world, a beautiful Buddha miniature, hand-carved in brass :-)
My Ma-in-law has wonderful taste, every corner of our home in India reflects her personal warmth and grace, and it came as absolutely no surprise when she chose what was the most serene piece in the store :-) I love its features, the delicate carving, the slight shades of blue and green, interspersed with the metal, the eyebrows gently knitted together, converging at the middle of the forehead, the eyes closed in deep meditation, the beautiful robe, the contours of the palm, the nose and the mouth.
For us this goes beyond being an artefact, for there is something so tranquil about this statue, it reflects the state of the mind of the artisan who crafted it, a symbol of the peace and serenity that he or she must have attained with several years of practise of this school of spirituality.
We all have difficult days, days when the mind isn't calm, when there are some not-so-positive thoughts plaguing the mind, when there is a sense of worry or anxiety in the heart, and at such moments, a glimpse of our Buddha soothes us and imparts that much desired tranquility...
And in the evenings, you can almost feel a murmuring comfort emanating from the combination of this beautiful brass miniature and its candle companion, and you can look on, and gaze and gaze, as you feel peace seeping into every corner of your being. The mind is sedated, the thoughts are pure and poised, a paradisiacal bliss envelopes the surroundings, and there is this wonderfully reassuring feeling in the air, the feeling when you know you are being watched over :-)
So here's to greater awakenings, to peace of mind and contentment with the 'self' and a desire for lesser desire. May we all discover the Buddha within ourselves !
What a wonderful gift for fledgling homemakers...actually for all of us...may the Buddha watch over you two and keep you centred as you discover the future...lots of love
ReplyDeleteThank you and lots of love from both of us :)
DeleteWow it so beautiful and serene ,a great gift and you write really well karishma. I am glad you added more pics this time :) everything is beautiful, plant and basket and sneak peak of table :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Nayana ! Glad you enjoyed the pictures and the post :)
Deletebeautiful kishmish ! love the pics
ReplyDeleteThanks a ton Sonu
DeleteBeautifully composed!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Vandana
Deletehow beautiful as always Karishma
ReplyDeleteI love how you have displayed it against the basket with the greenery. the leaves gracefully framing the dull gleaming brass of that figurine.
How divine how magical! And I love the idea of having candles near it. Nothing like candle light bouncing off a beautiful objet-d'art like that.
Your mom-in-law must have very good taste! Has she visited you and seen your beautiful home? She must be so proud :-)
Our in-laws are planning a visit later this year and we have been manic trying to sort out our home, finish decorating it nicely. Everything takes so long doesnt it? Especially if you want to get it right, all the finer details and feminine touches. I think every home needs a womans touch! Men sometimes doesn't understand , my other half sometimes doesn't get why its important to have a certain colored candle as opposed to another color. Or a certain finish on a door handle, even if it costs more and takes twice as long. After all, its all in the details isn't it?
Thanks Gayatri :-) Collecting candle stands and tea light holders is something I have recently started focusing on, just realised they bring about so much serenity to a vignette, the perfect complement for a piece of art as you so aptly wrote here. You write really well by the way ! My in-laws are yet to visit, looking forward to having them over soon. My mom-in-law has seen the place virtually though :) She does keep a beautiful home, so those are high standards to match up to :-)
DeleteAm sure you are working wonders to your new apartment, I would love to see some of it :-) Take a few 'before and after pictures' while you are at it, always fun to look back at them and see the magic you created :-) And yes, the softer half does make a home out of a house, blends in the sharp strokes of the paint brush and dots the 'i's and crosses the 't's. So glad we get to play that role :)
What a beautiful post and a lovely statue!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Anu :-)
DeleteWhat a wonderful gift.. and how gorgeous is that Buddha of yours.. SIMPLY WOW
ReplyDeleteI absolutely treasure it, thanks Patricia :-)
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