I am dedicating this year to painting for my own realisation, for my own discovery, for my own satisfaction. As was very customary in the East, an educated member of society contemplated life, was guided by high principles and pursued refinement of one's character. Likewise it is time for me to do so. These will be my guiding principles from now on.
I have felt a strong connection of my past lives to Singapore, China, India and Japan all my life. And I just can't resist it. I have been diving deep into philosophy, culture and spirituality. That which is dear to my heart.
The mind, the mind's evolution, the planet and ecology, preservation of nature and protection of life on earth, happiness and peace, personal spiritual evolution - all are connected to flowers, plants, trees, forests and jungles - the beauty and the lungs of the planet, the sources of oxygen and the very life that runs through our veins physically. Planting in my mind, allowing to flourish in the mind, and planting on the canvases with the intention to spread the Qi of life, abundance and prosperity and blessings for everyone without exception.
Hardiness and resilience that reflect Singapore spirit.
"As the flower most associated with hybrids, the orchid is also a symbol of our multicultural heritage. It is representative of the harmony among our ethnic communities, as well as with our many foreign visitors." Quote taken from a speech by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, at the Singapore Orchid Show, 2006.
The Orchid and Confucius
“The orchid grows where others cannot endure the hardships of hunger and thirst, and is loosely tied to the things that support it. And, even with all the difficulty of its life, the orchid graces the world with beautiful colour and rare fragrance. This is like the life of the true gentleman, who sets himself to learn self-discipline, and whose character shines no matter where he is or what he experiences.”
Confucius also thought of the orchid as a flower of noble character, as he said in “孔子家語” (“Confucius’ Family Dialogue”): “芝蘭生於森林, 不為無人而不芳, 君子修道立德, 不為窮困而改節” “The orchids grow in the woods and they let out their fragrance even if there is no one around to appreciate it. Likewise, men of noble character will not let poverty deter their will to be guided by high principles and morals.” In short, orchids symbolized nobleness and tenacity of character.
The light yet lingering unique fragrance of the orchid also had a profound effect on Confucius. He said “與善人居, 如入芝蘭之室, 久而不聞其香, 即與之化矣. 與不善人居, 如入鮑魚之肆, 久而不聞其臭, 亦與之化矣.” “If you are in the company of good people, it is like entering a room full of orchids. After a while, you become soaked in the fragrance and you don’t even notice it. If you are in the company of bad people, it is like going into a room that smells of fish. After a while, you don’t notice the fishy smell as you have been immersed in it.” The orchid’s fragrance was used to portray the sublimity of character which Confucius believed everyone should strive for and which formed the basis of his moral preaching, and to emphasize the influential power of people of such character.
My act of painting flowers is also an act of offering to the Enlightened Ones to seek their blessings to become like them and help others to do the same.
"From the sutra Distinguishing the Aspects of Karma (Lanam Je): There are ten benefits of offering flowers [to objects such as the buddhas, statues, stupas, scriptures, etc.]:
1. One becomes like a flower in the world. (You will be very beautiful; everyone will be attracted and amazed to look at you and will remember seeing you.)
2. The sense of smell will never degenerate. (Some people have sicknesses in the nose so that the sense of smell doesn’t function.)
3. One will never have bad body odor. (This will be completely purified.)
4. A smell of scented nectar will come from the body.
5. The smell of the morality of the person will spread in all directions and corners.
6. One will be a leader of the world. (One will be a leader of people, of the world, of holy beings.)
7. One will achieve beautiful attractive things.
8. One will have great wealth.
9. One will be reborn in a higher rebirth.
10. One will quickly achieve the sorrowless state and achieve enlightenment, the great liberation."
Source of citation: https://fpmt.org/mandala/archives/mandala-issues-for-2002/september/the-beauty-and-benefits-of-offering-flowers/
I have felt a strong connection of my past lives to Singapore, China, India and Japan all my life. And I just can't resist it. I have been diving deep into philosophy, culture and spirituality. That which is dear to my heart.
The mind, the mind's evolution, the planet and ecology, preservation of nature and protection of life on earth, happiness and peace, personal spiritual evolution - all are connected to flowers, plants, trees, forests and jungles - the beauty and the lungs of the planet, the sources of oxygen and the very life that runs through our veins physically. Planting in my mind, allowing to flourish in the mind, and planting on the canvases with the intention to spread the Qi of life, abundance and prosperity and blessings for everyone without exception.
Hardiness and resilience that reflect Singapore spirit.
"As the flower most associated with hybrids, the orchid is also a symbol of our multicultural heritage. It is representative of the harmony among our ethnic communities, as well as with our many foreign visitors." Quote taken from a speech by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, at the Singapore Orchid Show, 2006.
The Orchid and Confucius
“The orchid grows where others cannot endure the hardships of hunger and thirst, and is loosely tied to the things that support it. And, even with all the difficulty of its life, the orchid graces the world with beautiful colour and rare fragrance. This is like the life of the true gentleman, who sets himself to learn self-discipline, and whose character shines no matter where he is or what he experiences.”
Confucius also thought of the orchid as a flower of noble character, as he said in “孔子家語” (“Confucius’ Family Dialogue”): “芝蘭生於森林, 不為無人而不芳, 君子修道立德, 不為窮困而改節” “The orchids grow in the woods and they let out their fragrance even if there is no one around to appreciate it. Likewise, men of noble character will not let poverty deter their will to be guided by high principles and morals.” In short, orchids symbolized nobleness and tenacity of character.
The light yet lingering unique fragrance of the orchid also had a profound effect on Confucius. He said “與善人居, 如入芝蘭之室, 久而不聞其香, 即與之化矣. 與不善人居, 如入鮑魚之肆, 久而不聞其臭, 亦與之化矣.” “If you are in the company of good people, it is like entering a room full of orchids. After a while, you become soaked in the fragrance and you don’t even notice it. If you are in the company of bad people, it is like going into a room that smells of fish. After a while, you don’t notice the fishy smell as you have been immersed in it.” The orchid’s fragrance was used to portray the sublimity of character which Confucius believed everyone should strive for and which formed the basis of his moral preaching, and to emphasize the influential power of people of such character.
My act of painting flowers is also an act of offering to the Enlightened Ones to seek their blessings to become like them and help others to do the same.
"From the sutra Distinguishing the Aspects of Karma (Lanam Je): There are ten benefits of offering flowers [to objects such as the buddhas, statues, stupas, scriptures, etc.]:
1. One becomes like a flower in the world. (You will be very beautiful; everyone will be attracted and amazed to look at you and will remember seeing you.)
2. The sense of smell will never degenerate. (Some people have sicknesses in the nose so that the sense of smell doesn’t function.)
3. One will never have bad body odor. (This will be completely purified.)
4. A smell of scented nectar will come from the body.
5. The smell of the morality of the person will spread in all directions and corners.
6. One will be a leader of the world. (One will be a leader of people, of the world, of holy beings.)
7. One will achieve beautiful attractive things.
8. One will have great wealth.
9. One will be reborn in a higher rebirth.
10. One will quickly achieve the sorrowless state and achieve enlightenment, the great liberation."
Source of citation: https://fpmt.org/mandala/archives/mandala-issues-for-2002/september/the-beauty-and-benefits-of-offering-flowers/