Enlightenment...quote by Julian Ayrs!

Throw the clutter

of

the mind

to the wind

So,

the seeds

of

enlightment

may

spring forth

and

blossom!

Julian Ayrs

Zen Thoughts

Collection of Poems

San Francisco

(2011)

http://www.thetattler.biz

Godhead...quote by Julian Ayrs!

A sturdy bed

clean linen

Dry roof overhead

The seeker’s

basic needs

On the spiritual journey

To Godhead

Julian Ayrs

Chocolate Buddha

A collection of Poems

http://www.thetattler.biz

People...Inspirational prose!

People, in deed and action

However, big or small

We're only people

That's all.

Inspired by a moment

when all is said and done

In times of anger and in times of joy

Some people reaching

to attain new awareness

Others, falling short, but in all fairness

What is life for

But to live and to learn?

Through each day's passing events

We'll all have a turn

To improve ourselves

And, with enlighted eyes, hopefully see

All that there is

And all that was meant to be

And, if not, perchance

Time and its passage

may prove to some

to you and to I to each and to everyone

That we're only people

However big or small

learning to live with each other

with compassion and understanding

and with Love and forgiveness

most of all

Julian Ayrs

Inspirational Prose

(1972)


http://www.julianayrs.com

Earth Hour...who turned out the lights?

Tonight, Citizens of Planet Earth, are being asked to come together in a call for action on climate change in a novel way!

And, if the buzz is bang on - hundreds of millions of humanoids, business owners, global corporations (governments, too) - will answer the urgent plea for a raise in conciousness.

How will that lofty goal be accomplished?

By turning off lights for one hour tonight (March 27th) @ 8:30 p.m.

"You will be making the switch to a cleaner - more secure nation - and prosperous America," assert the organizers.

In essence, Earth Hour plans to send a crystal clear message to Nations around the globe, that Americans care about the global warming  issues - and  ultimately - want to to "turn the lights out" on the nasty trend to ignore dirty air, dangerous dependency on foreign oil, and the costs involved with a clean up.

Since its inception three years ago, Earth Hour’s visionary concept has become a reality.

Nearly one billion people flipped off the switch for Earth Hour in 2009.

Amazingly, 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents rose to the occasion, to become part of a growing global phenomenon.

Now, if the organizers could just get everyone to chant "OM" at the top of the Earth Hour, the whole planet would be truly humming.

I plan to to meditate!

How 'bout you?

OM!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Don't try...quote!

Don't try

To try is
to stutter at doing

Julian Ayrs
Chocolate Buddha
Collections of Poems


http://www.julianayrs.com

What people think...quote!

I used to worry about what people would think
Then, it suddenly dawned on me one day
They usually don't

Julian Ayrs
Chocolate Buddha
Collecction of Poems

http://www.julianayrs.com

Enlightenment...quote!

Before enlightenment
Chopping wood and drawing water

After enlightenment
Chopping wood and drawing water

Ancient Buddhist Proverb

http://www.julianayrs.com

Change is constant...quote!

The only thing constant is change

Therefore,

the wise man digests and acknowledges the past

Then, moves on confidently

with an enlightened perspective on life

Julian Ayrs

Divine Grace
Collection of Poems

www.julianayrs.com

Life's spiritual journey...quote!

The family you were born in to

in order to embark on life's spiritual journey
was chosen from the other side

Julian Ayrs
Divine Grace
Collection of Poems

http://www.julianayrs.com

The Inner Smile...quote!

The inner smile

is reflected in the outer aura

Julian Ayrs

Divine Grace

Collection of Poems





http://www.julianayrs.com

Petty people...quote!

When encountering a petty person

or one of low intelligence

Show some compassion

Then, gracefully move on

Julian Ayrs

The Daily Planet

Collection of Poems



http://www.julianayrs.com

Shinjo Ito...exquisite art exhibit in Westwood. Buddhist founded Shinnyo-en!

Recently, I stopped in to a Westwood Gallery to catch an exhibition of art by celebrated spiritual leader - Shinjo Ito.

Ito was considered to be the foremost 20th Century Buddhist Master and artist.

Shinjo Ito (1906-1989), founder of the Shinnyo-en stream of Buddhism, was one of Japan's most versatile Buddhist sculptors and an accomplished artist in fields as diverse as calligraphy and photography.

On exhibit are a handful of significant works he created which "...give form to his deeply-held faith."

A centerpiece of the exhibit is the "Great Parinirvana Image". The dazzling sculpture of a reclining "Buddha Shakyamuni" - about to enter nirvana - is a detailed monumental work of art sixteen feet long. (pictured above)

The breathtaking display titled - "The Vision and Art of Shinjo Ito" - began touring the world in 2006.

To complement the exhibit there is an accompanying art book with the same title.

According to scholars, the materials reveal for the first time Shinjo's unique capacity to "meld spirituality and artistry as well as realism and interpretation."

In sum, the collection is an inspirational testimony to one of Japan's most significant modern religious artists.

Shinjo was born into a religious Buddhist family in 1906.

Shinjo's mother was a follower of a faith derived from Japan's native religion, Shinto; while his father was a Zen Buddhist. But for the young Shinjo, it was the realms of science, art and mechanics that held most appeal.

Ito entered Kyoto's Daigoli monastery in 1936, the head temple of the Daigo School of Shingon Buddhism.

Shinjo proceeded to learn the Shingon esoteric teachings; then later on, became a Great Master (acharya).

Later, he incorporated his own spiritual leanings to make the path to enlightenment as accessible to lay trainees as their monastic leaders - and subsequently - created an offshoot by melding the teachings of the Nirvana Sutra (which emphasizes Buddhism for lay practitioners) with the esoteric Shingon canon he had mastered.

The Nirvana Sutra is one of the most seminal texts of Mahayana (Great Vehicle) Buddhism.

The heart of the message is that the essence of the Buddha is present in our time as well as a cosmic reality that knows no beginning and no end. Another key doctrine is that all sentient beings (humans) - even the most spiritually depraved - are endowed with the ability to reach enlightenment. It also stresses the dynamic blissful aspect of enlightenment in contrast to earlier teachings such as the emptiness of all phenomena.

Shinnyo devotees, therefore, welcome all practitioners on the path - without any distinction between lay disciples and monastic trainees - all-the-while encouraging a cultivation of the four infinite virtues of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.

At the Westwood gallery I was delighted to have the opportunity to also "sit" in meditation in the midst of the spiritual environs of this uplifting thought-provoking exhibit.

In fact, throughout the duration of the show, there will be a number of formal services for guests to actively participate in: meditation, yoga, chanting, shared personal experiences of practice, and dharma talks with mentors.

Info: www.westwoodartforum.com

May 8th - June 29th
Westwood Art Forum
1028 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
90024