How does the Buddhist principle of discipline apply to murder, stealing, choices, and creating happiness in the art world?
This entry is the second exploration into an understanding on what may be involved in training to be a Bodhisattva Artist. Last week I wrote "Art and Generosity" which examined the first bodhichitta action principle of giving. Discipline is next in line - a word that usually makes people groan – but may not be as bad as we think.
While rereading Patrul Rinpoche's writings on the principle of discipline a saying from the 12 Steps program pops up repeatedly: "Obedience to the unenforceable." I like that. Why? Because discipline is a choice that comes from my wish for everyone to be happy. To be obedient to my choices bases on spiritual principles applies directly to the aspiration of bodhichitta. To find out more specifics I turned to the teachings on discipline as written in Words of My Perfect Teacher which are divided into three sections: Do no harm, do good, and dedicate the good to others.
Great. So how does that apply to an artist considering what it is to be a Bodhisattva Artist? Patrul Rinpoche writes that to do no harm one rejects the ten negative actions of body, speech, and mind. I looked those up too. . . Not taking life, stealing, sexual harm, lying, sowing discord, harsh speech, mindless chatter, covetousness, wishing others harm, and wrong views. That seems pretty intense; yet, I've heard from a couple of teachers to "do the best you can do." Ok, so to the best of my artistic ability I will do no harm.
Have any of you seen the movie Rape of Europa? The movie views WW2 from the perspective of art – how Hitler was obsessed with art and strategically stole art and harmed millions in the process. This is a perfect example of using art to harm. As are the examples of any warring that revolves around icons, symbols, and images of different cultures.
Simplifying it down to my own personal experience as an artist, how do I try to do no harm? I use art and framing materials that are environmentally friendly. I choose images from nature or whimsy that I think are harmless (however, someone else may disagree). I don't murder for or steal art, I haven't sexually harmed anyone with art, or any of the other harms listed above.
I wonder about other's art that is violent or disturbing. How do we know whether this type of imagery is doing harm? I really don't know how one gauges that. It seems that it would depend on the artist's intent, which hopefully they've written into a clear artist's statement.
What is an artist statement? In an artist statement we can discover the artist's intention about the art they've created. The process of writing an art statement can be a challenge for artists who usually prefer images to words. Yet, the process of understanding why we are creating what we create is very clarifying and empowering. The process and statement are a personal inventory that can act as a gauge in determining the nature of our artwork. To see my bio and art statements go to http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=289672387770339 .
"Doing good" can sometimes feel as if it's never enough. I like the second part of the Sutra of the Wise and Foolish:
"Do not take lightly small good deeds,
Believing they can hardly help:
For drops of water one by one
In time can fill a giant pot."
(p. 239 Words of My Perfect Teacher)
So each small depiction of happiness or creating something beautiful can be seen as doing good. As too is being mindful in my daily approach to art. More can be read on being mindful and wishing other well in my article "Cultivating Kindness in Art" http://susankeale.blogspot.com/2012/04/cultivating-kindness-in-art.html
The last aspect of discipline seems to have a lot to do with intention and dedication. In focusing on the happiness of all beings I am also taking my own happiness into account. The way to create more compassionate art for everyone is to train in how to create happiness overall – it takes discipline.
More later when I delve into "art and patience."
The attached image was inspired by the sutra quoted above.
No comments:
Post a Comment