Shangri-La ART Reception for Tom C. Edwards

The reproduction of traditional artwork forms is even a difficult task when mastered in ones own culture. Witness the popularity of handcrafted reproductions from Colonial Williamsburg, for example.

It is a far more amazing accomplishment to master traditional artistic techniques from completely foreign cultures, but that is exactly what artist Tom C. Edwards has accomplished! LET'S GO FLY A KITE is art event and reception on 4-7-04, featuring the Japanese and Tibetan art of Tom C. Edwards. The opening reception is from 2 to 6 PM, at Shangri-La Gifts and Publications, 156 E. State Street (The Commons). Exhibit is open daily through April and May of 2004.

Cinifamani or Citipati

This seemingly amusing wooden toy, called Cinifamani or Citipati, has deeper much meanings in the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. The background of flames indicates active forceful being, yet the skeletons with their apparently mirthful grins belie a wrathful foreboding. The Citipati can be translated as “the lords of the cemetery or charnel ground,” in the reference to the sky clad burial practiced in some communities. They are found in many thanka paintings, dancing as a constant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and for the devotee to stay in the moment or in the practice of meditation mid-life.

This particular piece was two years in the carving and was completed by Tom Edwards, after a difficult period of many losses. These losses caused him to consider and deal with sorrow and adjustments he had not expected. We are already amazed by the reactions of customers to this sculptural “toy” – many want to play with it right away, then they recoil from the deathly message.

While being a seeming child’s toy, the Cinifamani or Citipati expresses the two halves of the coin; life and death, joy and sorrow, dance and decay, it is menacing yet it portrays apparent happiness in the grins. It also embodies the five offerings of the senses in the wrathful nature; flayed skeleton, the skull, nose, tongue, ears and heart. The parasol with two eyes is shown for victory and the arrow for the practice of meditative insight represents the arrows cleaving instantly. This work challenges common societal viewpoints of life and death. We are already amazed by the reactions of customers to this sculptural “toy” – many want to play with it right away, then they recoil from the deathly message.

Lama Tsongkhapa

Lama Tsongkhapa is a historic figure who in his travels in Tibet began a revamping of the monastic enclaves, turning them into universities of learning. He is considered the patriarch Guru Rinpoche, a precious teacher for his achievements in education and teachings. He is also believed to be the first of the Dalai Lama in incarnations.

In this thanka Lama Tsongkhapa is seated on the lotus, with his hands in the mudra (gesture) of “turning the wheel” and teaching. On his right is a lotus bearing the Sutras and representing the education he conveyed to Tibet. Mahakala is holding a flaming sword, with a ribbon. Jampal-yang is the bodisattva, personifying the wisdom of meditative insight.

The Sakyamuni Buddha, painted in gold and holding the begging bowl, is the buddha of history, who by means of meditation beneath the bodhi tree came to the realization of eight fold path and taught in India the disciples who then in their turn, spread the Buddhist teaching throughout the Eastern world.

Blue Medicine Buddha

This thanka painting is representing the healing and curing of the five afflictive or negative emotions with the human existence. The Buddha is holding a plant representing the healing and curative power of meditation. A thanka is used for meditation in a way similar to icons and to visualize within the devotee's own life the attributes consistent in the symbols presented by the painter in the image.

The thanka of the Blue medicine Buddha is a very specific painting for meditation. The Buddha represents healing and curing of the five afflictive or negative emotions, and in his hand he holds a curative plant for healing. In meditation, the devotee will visualize and emulate within his own life the clear space of the mind, received in meditation from the image.

The red, yellow and blue borders also represent the rainbow, a nearly universal symbol of blessings. Also, the blue background of the traditional silk scroll matting symbolizes inexhaustible space, and limitless depth of help.

The White Elephant Helps - $350 (Detail)

The White Elephant Helps

This traditional Tibetan style painting portrays the white elephant assisting several other creatures to reach fruit, which in turn share the mutual rewards of collaborative effort.

In a sense, the white elephant is Buddha who is assisting the various states of mind, to reach the fruits of meditation and results of following the eight fold path.