Nudge - Week 10 - Moving Changing

These past few months have been one of moving and changing...literally...we are in the process of moving to Deer Island, Oregon. A beautiful old school built in 1908 will be our new home and temple space.

I have had to put several project on hold because of all of the travel and remodeling...

Such is life...I hope that you will continue to work on your art journal and always, always...look to those moments each day in which to be grateful...

Namu Amida Butsu


Diane (Jishin)

Nudge - Week 9 - Humility and Reflection

Nudge - Week 9 - Humility and Reflection

 

 

This week let us look at the beautiful wisteria flower that is the symbol of the Jodo Shinshu Tradition.  The beautiful flowers of the wisteria plant hang ever so gently from their stems symbolizing humility and reflection.  Let us always remember to take the time to reflect and be humble when living a life in the Nembutsu.  We are grateful for the opportunity to hear the Dharma and to know the teachings of our founder, Master Shinran Shonin.  Living in Amida's Vow is all the more reason to be humble and reflect upon this great life we live. 

 

Let your journal page, this week, reflect the beauty of the wisteria flower and your faith in Compassion and Wisdom!  Namu Amida Butsu!

 



Buddhism

• Wisteria is a symbol of humility and reflection in Shin Buddhism. The Jodo Shinshu sect uses two intertwined, upside-down wisteria flowers as its crest.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/facts_6755464_meaning-wisteria-flower.html#ixzz2uOmVSDgd

Nudge - Week 8 - Counting Buddhas

Week 8

Counting Buddhas

I drew these little Jizos for a children's book I created a couple of years ago. Now I ask you to use these eight Jizos for your inspirational nudge for week #8.  Feel free to print them off, color them, make them your own and paste them into your journal page this week.   Encourage your child-like creativity to bring these little Buddhas to life.  It is ok to color outside the lines, too!

Jizo is the embodiment of the Bodhisattva Vow, the aspiration to save all beings from suffering. He/She is the protector of women, children, and travelers in the six realms of existence.

 Amida Buddha's great Vow to save all beings is at the forefront of our hearts and minds as Shin Buddhists.  Namu Amida Butsu is the call of Amida...just for YOU, just for YOU.....

Nudge - Week 7 - Larger Sutra Mandala

Week 7

Larger Sutra Mandala

Compared with the Taima Mandala, very little has been known about the Larger Sutra Mandala. The original painting, modelled on the Taima Mandala, was presumably made in the middle of the Edo period, i.e., the 18th century. Then its wood-block prints were produced and distributed in limited circulation. Those prints were painted in yellow-gold and brilliant colors, and explanatory notes painted in gold on strips of black paper were pasted on the relevant scenes of the mandala.

Larger Sutra Mandala  - Here is your link to the Amida Net website run by my teacher Rev. Hisao Inagaki (Zuio).

This website is a study guide to the three Pure Land Mandalas.  One can find great inspiration in the beautiful artwork that is meant to convey the Pure Land Teachings.

Some of the many features of the Larger Sutra Mandala are:

Jewelled ground (ch. 20, 21)

Jewelled pond (ch. 16)

Jewelled trees (ch. 14)

Dance and music (ch. 10, 27)

Use these features for your creative "nudge" for week 7.  Be inspired by the images, the message it conveys to you and the feeling you experience while looking closely a the painting. Now take that experience and transfer that to your own journal.  If someone found your journal years from now, what message would you want it to convey?  What lesson would you want it to teach?  What inspires you, will inspire others!   Namu Amida Butsu.

Nudge - Week 6 - What's in the Name?

Week 6

What's in the Name?

Chanting “Namu Amida Butsu,” which translates as “I entrust myself to the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life,” is not a form of petitionary prayer or mantra. It is a means of communication between a relative being or consciousness and the Buddha deep within. When I chant, there is the expression of Namu Amida Butsu not only from this side, but also from the side of the Buddha. ~ from a Tricycle Interview with Revs. Mark and Taitetsu Unno.

What words and images come to mind when you think of the word "entrust".  This week's journal nudge encourages you to reflect on the word "entrust" and use this reflection to create this weeks page in your Amida52 journal.

Some beautiful pages to nudge your creativeness:

Gassho,

Diane

Nudge - Week 5 - Ice and Water

Nudge - Week 5

Ice and Water

“By benefit of Infinite Light, true entrusting is magnificent. The ice of desire is melted to become the water of Nirvana. Our desires are the essence of Nirvana, like the relation of ice and water. The more ice, the more water: the more desire, the more Nirvana.” 
~ Shinran Shonin

This week, let your journal page reflect Shinran's words.  The ice of desire is melted by the Dharma and becomes the water of Nirvana.  Amida's compassion warms our heart and opens the darkness within us.

Ideas/words for this week's journal page:

watercolors pencils
watercolor paint
images of water and ice
blue
fingerpaints

Try something new this week for your journal page.  There is no right or wrong way to create your Amida52 journal...this is not a test...this is a journey....this is a reflection of you!

A beautiful page to nudge your creativeness:

Enjoy!

Namo Amida Butsu


Jishin

A Glitch in the Matrix...Apologies...

Hello my dear Amida52 friends...

I apologize that the Nudges for weeks 3 and 4 did not post...I scheduled them ahead of time, but just realized today that I did not actually publish them (in order for them to launch)....so...we are back on track...hope you have been enjoying your Amida52 journal.

Take good care...

All the best to you....in peace and gassho,

Diane

Nudge - Week 4 - Amida's Light

Nudge - Week 4

Amida's Light

The Light of Amida Buddha is infinite because there is nowhere it does not reach and nothing that it does not penetrate, including the darkest depths of our minds and hearts. This light illuminates the nature of the world and helps us recognize the extent of our profound attachment to our own egos and to the real gulf that, in so many ways, separates us from the Buddha. This light also serves to ferry us safely over the stormy waters of our imperfect existence and to purify us of all the defilements that would ordinarily bar our entry into Nirvana.

From the website Muryoko: Journal of Shin Buddhism http://www.nembutsu.info/primshin.htm by Revs. John Paraskevopoulos and George Gatenby. 

“Although my eyes, blinded by passions, do not see the brilliant light which embraces me, the Great Compassion never tires, always casting its light upon me.”  Shinran Shonin

Let this week's journal page reflect the idea of Amida's Infinite light.

You could use color, an image or words to describe your feelings.

What comes to mind when you think about Amida's infinite light?

Take some time this week an to reflect and create your journal page of Light!

Namo Amida Butsu...

Jishin

Nudge - Week 3 - A white lotus among people

Nudge - Week 3

Know that the person who says the nembutsu is a white lotus among people.

With these words the Tathagata likens the persons of the nembutsu to the white lotus, the flower praised as the best among best flowers, the excellent flower, the wondrous excellent flower, the rare flower, the very finest flower. Master Shan-tao of Kuang-ming temple interprets this to be praise of the person of the nembutsu as the best among the best, the excellent person, the wondrous excellent person, the truly rare person, the very finest person.

~Taken from the Collected Works of Shinran, Commentaries, Notes on Once-Calling and Many-Calling 

Here are a few examples to help you

draw your own lotus flower:

I have always been very fond of the lotus flower as a sign of enlightenment.  A beautiful flower, with its roots in the mud, springing forth through the muck yet remaining untouched and pristine to reach the light. You and I have our feet in the mud of life, and yet the Dharma can spring up within us, unaffected by our suffering and show us the way into the light of Amida's compassion.

This week, let your journal page reflect your thoughts on the white lotus.  Reflect on your Nembutsu journey!

Namo Amida Butsu

Jishin

Let's Get Started - Week 1

Week 1

The Dharma-water runs under the rocks;  

Keep digging down and get the water from the depths.

If you really know the inconceivable power of the Vow,

Anjin comes to you even though you do not seek it.     ~ Rev. Zuiken Inagaki

Let's get started

You may have heard the art term "altered book".  It is simply taking an old, discarded book and transforming it into a journal or a work of art by altering the pages in an artistic fashion.

I suggest that you think out of the box and use the "altered book" method to create your Amida52 art journal.

First steps:

• Find a used or discarded book (8.5 x 11 inches) with at least 250 pages.  I have found great books to alter at Goodwill, used book stores (sometimes they have free books that have torn pages,etc..perfect for this project).  A hard back book works best.  Pages with thicker paper are good, too.  Remember you will be altering this book completely.  Gluing, painting, and/or writing on the pages.  You will make it YOUR book with each passing week.  
• Now, here comes a step that may feel difficult or even "wrong" to do.  Do not worry, you are creating a new book and giving life to this old, discarded book.  Remove (tear out for a artsy affect) or cut out with a straight blade every 3-4 pages of the book until you have 52 pages remaining.  (Look and see how many pages your book contains and divide by 52 weeks).  If you would like to have a 2 page spread for each week then make sure your book has at least 450 pages and remove every 3-4 pages).  I am sure you can do the math!

Some supplies to have on hand:

• glue
• tape
• scissors
• x-acto knife
• ruler or a straight edge of some sort
• old magazines
• water color paints
• color markers
• crayons
• pencils
• pens
• modge podge Make your own modge podge
• any and all scrapbooking materials (though I must warn you, this can be addictive and expensive)

If you can't bring yourself to alter an old book then you will need:

• A blank notebook with a minimum of 52 pages (1 page per week for a year)

Here are some examples of an altered book:

These pages have been painted and decorated.

Images have been cut and pasted onto the pages.

Use your imagination.

This first week's "nudge" is to decorate the front and back of your Amida52 art journal.  You might paint the book cover with paint, let it dry and attach images or words that will inspire you to return again and again to your journal.  Maybe you will cover the book with patterned paper.  Maybe it will be just a color, maybe one image, maybe a whole series of images...it is your choice...this is a process.  

Living a life in the Nembutsu is a process.  It is the process of you and I waking up and being aware of Amida's light shining always.  Compassion is at work....wisdom is at work...now, let us work on reflecting the light and shine!

Have fun...

Namu Amida Butsu
Jishin

Nudge - Week 2

Nudge - Week 2

Amida has prepared everything for you; His Vows, his Name and his Pure Land --They are all meant for you. Leave everything to Amida without the slightest doubt, Like a baby nestling in the mother's arms,Then you become free of all worries and anxieties.You are still a bombu but have no calculations any longer.  

~ from Zuiken's Hyms of Faith

I have found great inspiration from Zuiken's writings. I especially enjoy the imagery in this particular piece.

This is page 1 of your art journal.  Now we begin. 

This week you will focus on the feeling of being grasped by Amida. How does that make you feel?  What words come to mind?

Here is a very simple technique to artfully add words or a sentence into your journal.

A simple set of lines is the starting place.  If you are a perfectionist, get out the straight edge....if you are willing to be whimsical...free-hand the lines..either way have fun.

I found a few images that I cut out and placed on the page, too.  I felt like the little mermaid, gently treading water while grasping Amida's hand.  What does being grasped by Amida mean to you?

Here is my journal page for Week 2:

I think I will add more to the bottom of the page...but I am waiting to see what the rest of week 2 brings to inspire me.  I will come back to my week 2 "nudge", re-read the inspiring words and see what else ends up on my journal page.

Namu Amida Butsu

Jishin

Welcome to Amida52...A Guided Art Journal Project for A Year of Your Nembutsu Life!

Welcome to Amida52

A Guided Art Journal Project for 

A Year of Your Nembutsu Life

This project was born from an art class that I recently found.  Through a weekly blog entry, I will give you a nudge, some inspirational quotes, pictures and a few examples of how you can easily create an art journal that will help you creatively capture a year in your life and how you reflect on the Nembutsu.

What does it mean to you to live in the Nembutsu?  Is it always a bed of roses? No, of course not.  Is it always full of suffering? Not if we can help it.  Is it a life full of gratitude? Absolutely. 

By working together you and I can create a weekly journal entry for ourselves that will capture our thoughts and feelings as Shin Buddhists.

What to look forward to:

• Creating a Journal

Your weekly journal page could simply be a word written on a blank page, a picture cut out and glued onto a blank page, or a detailed drawing or story that captures your feelings for the week.

This is meant to be a fun and creative project.  Have fun, get creative, feel like a kid and get out your crayons and glue...make this a fun project for the whole family.  You could even make a family journal and have each member contribute a little item to be added to the journal page.

• Little to No Cost

The Amida52 art journal project will not cost a lot to create.  Recycle, reduce, and reuse!  Make, find or buy a journal to your liking.  You will ultimately make 52 pages for your journal.  At the end of this year long journey, you will have an incredible book about YOU! Even more importantly you will have a book that captures your thoughts and feeling about your life in the Nembutsu.  A life well lived in gratitude and compassion.

• No Artistic Ability Required

Your Amida52 art journal will reflect your feelings and thoughts on life as a Shin Buddhist.  You might choose to write a few words. You may choose to draw a little picture.  You may find a picture in the newspaper or a magazine, cut it out and paste it in your journal.  This is not about artist excellence...this is about just being free to express your feelings ANYWAY YOU WISH! Enjoy this freedom..be creative.

• Weekly Ideas
  

I will create a weekly "nudge" that will inspire your creative juices!  Each week I will post an inspirational quote, a picture of my own journal page for the week, and share ideas as to how you might create your journal page.  There are no rules.  There is no "right" way or "wrong" way to do this.  It is simply a journey in reflecting on the path we both have in common: Shin Buddhism.

• Share with Others

Though this particular project has a focus on Shin Buddhism, the idea can be replicated for any spiritual path that one embraces.  If you find this process helpful, pass the word along.  Have your friends and family subscribe to this blog and share in the creative process together.

If you like, you can post a picture of your journal page here on the blog.  Inspire others to do the same!

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Let us inspire each other to push through the difficult times, remember the daily joys and embrace the compassion and wisdom in our lives!

Namu Amida Butsu!

Diane Jishin Johnson