Samsara Map
Depicted mapping is of a Six Realm Thanka and part of a broader study. Any errors are solely my own. This is a personal study, shared that it may help others in their practice of compassion.
Backing: “Compassion: om mani padme hum” from Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Time by Deva Permal & Gyuto Monks of Tibet
1+1=
Being’s separate sentience is separate by point of view.
Beings’ separate sentience is separate by points of view.
That what separates sentiences is their separate points of view.
Luv(sic) Hexalogy, ATL
Artist Inc.
Reflective on immediacy
And self mortality,
Artist creates
Through medium,
Wherein they
Endeavor to portray
That about life, death, and love
They wish to say,
This the artist’s way.
POV
“According to the Madhyamikas, we can speak of two aspects of perception. From one point of view, it is valid; from another point of view, it is deceptive or deluded. From this understanding we can attribute two aspects to a single event of cognition. Just because we have valid, direct experiences of objects does not mean that these things and events experienced by us possess objective, intrinsic existence.” Practicing Wisdom
“Every statement of view, however certain one may strive to make it, can never, on the relative level, be more than a point of view.” Translator’s Introduction to “The Wisdom Chapter” Jamgön Mipham
“By studying others’ points of view, it is possible for us to discover new and refreshing perspectives on the world.” Practicing Wisdom
Central Park In Reflection
Surely
There are those who suffer the torments of war, famine, plague.
Surely we are in the realm of hells.
There are those who suffer from greed and can never consume enough.
Surely we are in the realm of hungry ghosts.
There are those who suffer from being hunted, preyed upon, enslaved.
Surely we are in the realm of beasts.
There are those who suffer the heartaches of humanity and practice compassion.
Surely we are in the realm of humans.
There are those who fly in the air, ride in horseless iron chariots.
Surely we are in the realm of the Demi-gods.
There are those who can annihilate millions with grave weapons of war.
Surely we are in the realm of the Gods.
If I do not practice compassion diligently, if I do not guard my mind, surely I will suffer in Samsara.
Samsara Mapped
Illustrations: Samsara Thanka (shown), Rings key, Rings C & D key, Full circle detail, Top circle detail, Bottom circle detail.
(P) Perimeter:
Shakyamuni Buddha (top left), The Mantra OM MA-NI PAD-ME HUM (top center), Avalokiteśvara (top right). “Monster holding the wheel” signifies that the entire process of cyclic existence is caught within transience/impermanence.
(A) Hub
The Three Poisons: Desire; Hatred, Root Ignorance
Depicted respectively as: Rooster, Pig, Snake
(B) Half Circles Surrounding Hub
Indicate virtuous (white, ascending) and non-virtuous (black descending) actions
(C) Six Transmigrations (Realms of Existence)
(C1) Gods
(C2) Demigods (Devas)
(C3) Humans
(C4) Animals
(C5) Hungry ghosts (Pretas)
(C6) Hell beings
(D) Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: indicated by…
(D1) ignorance: … an old, blind person hobbling with a cane
(D2) compositional action: a potter making a wheel
(D3) consciousness: a monkey
—— cause-consciousness
—— effect-consciousness
(D4) name and form: person(s) in a boat
(D5) sense spheres: an empty house with six windows
(D6) contact: a man and women touching, kissing
(D7) feeling: an arrow in person’s eye
(D8) attachment: persons partying
(D9) grasping: a person grabbing at fruit in a tree
(D10) existence: a couple copulating or pregnant woman
(D11) birth: a women giving birth
(D12) aging and death: person with burdens
Reference: “The Meaning of Life: Buddhist Perspectives on Cause and Effect by His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Promethean Quest
In quest to find that perfect,
It wise that intellect reflect,
How self for self defines perfect,
And rest in reflection of perfection.
“The mind is the sole generator of good and bad. There are many occasions when the thoughts which arise in the mind, even if they are not translated into speech or action, have a very strong positive or negative effect. So always examine your mind.” – Words of My Perfect Teacher.