Om Mani Padme Hung

Om Mani Padme Hung
Originally uploaded by kaito_do

Another outstanding find on Flickr! This is a three script version of oṃ manipadme hūṃ: dbucan, 'brutsha, dbumed (ie Uchen, Drutsa, and Ume). I've got to start making some seals!

Redecorating

I finally got bored with all the green on Visible Mantra and have opted for basic black in the new colour scheme, with red drop capitals. The latter are inspired by the red seals Nathaniel Archer uses in his calligraphy. I keep thinking I must have a go at making some...

I'm also slightly rejigging the menu (which is time consuming because I use stone age technology to create VM) and have renamed a couple of the pages to better reflect what they are about. There is a new section of reading material. I have been working on some background material for the site which I think will fill a gap for anyone who is interested in Buddhist mantra.

Names

I've now completed a project to add calligraphy of the names for all of the deity mantra pages, and other figures with Sanskrit names. At the same time I've updated a few of the less elegant mantras (my calligraphy has improved somewhat since I set this site up). Do take the time to revisit pages you may be familiar with to see what's new.

Acala Vidyārāja - Fudō Myōō (不動明王)

The latest addition to Visible Mantra is a page for Fudō. Fudō is a wrathful manifestation of Mahāvairocana who acts as a messenger and protector. He is one of a group of Vidyārājas. Vidyā is sometimes used as a synonym for "mantra" in Tantric Buddhism, though it's basic meaning is knowledge (the word is related to the Sanskrit Veda), and it is often used to connote magical or esoteric knowledge. A Vidyārāja then, is king of esoteric knowledge especially of mantra. Fudō is one of the thirteen principal deities of the modern Shingon School.

I have to admit I'm not very familiar with this character as he does not figure in the Western Buddhist Order to any great extent. I'm drawing entirely on Shingon sources for this mantra, but especially the Shingon "Handbook for Followers" by Abbot Yusei Arai.

My brush is "this" big!!!

Jisen, calligraphy retreat, Upaya Zen Center
Originally uploaded by Upaya

I absolutely love this! My calligraphy is usually small because I use pens up to 6mm wide. Calligraphy on this scale is a totally different aesthetic - you can step right inside this.

dhīḥ

dhih
Originally uploaded by jayarava

I've been uploading a few examples of my calligraphy to Flickr. This one is a dhīḥ the seed syllable of prefect wisdom - follow the link for more details. On Flickr I've created a group for Buddhist Calligraphy and invited a number of others to contribute - only 2 have responded but I'm hoping to attract more interest.

[국보 75호] 표충사청동함은향완

[국보 75호] 표충사청동함은향완
Originally uploaded by liscell

If you look carefully you can see a Siddhaṃ letter on the side of this goblet, and another jsut out of view on the left (but clearly with the nada-bindu anusvāra). Another example of Korean Siddhaṃ - which means that those people who say it only exists in Japan these days are looking increasingly wrong.

Bablefish.com translates the title as: "[ 75 national treasures ] ticket insect company bronze box direction wan". (It appears in Google many times so the origin is doubtful).

Mani Stone

DSCN0044_2 copy.jpg
Originally uploaded by spaceman347

There is a Flickr Group called Mani Stones which is devoted to photo's of mani stones. A small selection of photo's but some very nice examples.

Introduction to Siddham Calligraphy

Buddhist Calligraphy is a spiritual practice that can be very rewarding in itself - it combines mindfulness, meaningful action, and aesthetic appreciation. The experience itself can be uplifting and transformative especially when combined with reflections on the "meaning" of the letter being written. It is also useful for those who visualise mantras as familiarity with the forms makes for more vivid images.

This class will provide an introduction to the Siddham script. Beginning with the seed-syllable 'a' we will explore the basic methods for creating beautiful calligraphy. A small class means plenty of individual attention and means that you can learn at your own pace.

Lead by Jayarava
All materials provided - no experience necessary
Limit 8 people - booking essential

Cambridge Buddhist Centre
5th April 2008
10am – 12 pm

cost: £15/10 - I will cover my costs and the rest goes to the Cambridge Buddhist Centre.