Paintings and Caligraphy by Zen Master hakuin —new Orleans Museum of art through april 17—
Meditation is often practiced as a method of achieving a state of personal calm through quiet self-reflection; a focused path of inner peace reached by consciously floating over the sea of life’s anxieties.
Even the most experienced practitioner would not be able to avoid the coverage of the horrific events that befell Japan on March 11. As the country struggles to contain the aftermath of the natural devastation its immediate future, as well as the eventual rebuilding process, remain unknown.
During times when the future seems the darkest, it helps to look to one’s past strengths to help light the way.
New Orleanians have the chance to preview one of Japan’s most influential Zen Buddhist figures, Hakuin Ekaku, at the New Orleans’ Museum of Arts’ “The Sound of One Hand” exhibition. The presentation running now through April 17 features 77 scrolls (67 by Hakuin, 10 by his major pupils), consisting of paintings and calligraphy used by Hakuin as Zen teaching tools.
Hakuin’s most significant contribution to Zen meditation was his focus on the koan—a question or statement for which a conclusion cannot be reached by rational thinking. Hakuin felt that meditative enlightenment and inner-strength were not achieved through cleansing one’s mind of external worries, but facing psychological pressure and doubt head on. Under Hakuin, a Zen student was assigned a koan by his master; once the student could demonstrate he reached an insight from the koan, another was as signed and the process began anew.
“Two hands clap, there is a sound. What is the sound of one hand?” is his most notable koan.
The exhibitions first series of scrolls consist of Hakuin’s teachings, documented in artful calligraphy. Hakuin did not believe Zen meditation was exclusive to monks; his teachings were for anyone who wished to achieve enlightenment, and these scrolls were his teaching tools.
The exhibit’s most unique display, however, are his paintings.
Hakuin’s paintings are both cartoonish and dark at the same time. Those who take the tour learn that Hakuin’s deep spirituality grew from an intense fear of hell instilled in him at a young age. Japanese deities, as well as demons, are depicted in surreal arrangements—creating macabre, yet playful, imagery. Other paintings depict Japanese folk life, drawn from his experiences taking his teachings to the rural communities of Japan. Hakuin’s thick brush strokes and minimalist illustrations echo the ubiquitous anime/ manga animation of today.
The exhibition also offers the following special presentations: An exhibition walk-through on April 15 at 6 p.m., followed by a tea ceremony demonstration; a lecture and demonstration on Zen Calligraphy on Friday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m.; and a screening of the award-winning anime Tekkon Kinkreet on April 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Don’t miss this chance to experience an influential piece of Japan’s past as we all look to its future.—Greg Roques
Hakuin’s paitings, done in the later part of his life, are on display through April 17.
