108 Faces of Buddha: Gallery

Gallery

Welcome to 108 Faces of Buddha Gallery ...

This is a project that is about peace ... 108 steps on the pathway toward peace for you and me. Each of my sculpted images hold an I AM mantra that has come out of the silent self-inquiry of "Who Am I?" Proclaiming our beauty and the Truth of the interconnection of all things, the mantras affirm that we are Everything. I believe in our buddha-nature and I have a goal ... to practice and increase my moments of awareness of what Thich Nhat Hanh calls our interbeing. Imagine looking at the Earth and all beings with a more loving and compassionate eye!

In my heart, I have joined these clay pieces together envisioning a mystical mala of realization and celebration of our Oneness. I hope you will enjoy and benefit from this practice of creating the 108 clay pieces of connection.

As inspiration and a reminder along the pathway and to empower the BuddhaFace, the mantra is written on a tag that is attached to the copper wire on the back for hanging. The pieces are different sizes, different kinds of clay, made with 10,000 thoughts going through my head ... and all going in the same direction. I am smiling and bowing ... thank you!

(And to get a closer view, just click on the photo.)

I invite you to close your eyes and

look within. I will see you there.

Shanti

Buddha Face 74

This little bodhi leaf and Buddha are part of the Buddha in a Bag Collection. It can be placed upon your altar or in the palm of your hand!

Buddha Face 75

This little Buddha likes to travel and remind you of who you

really are!

Buddha Face 76

Another small altar piece that will easily fit into your life and Buddha practice!

Buddha Face 77

A golden Buddha to remind you of your Buddha Nature!

Buddha Face 78

A little Buddha for your altar or the palm of your hand!

BuddhaFace 79

I AM ... Madrone ... like the tree, I experience the never-ending process of renewal. I keep shedding my outer skin to reveal my true nature. Thank you!

BuddhaFace 80

Again, with the island of Kauai in mind, I created this small piece for an altar. It can also be held in the palm of your hand for meditation.

BuddhaFace 81

This is also a small piece measuring two by three inches. It was inspired by the sacred shrines at the
Peace Center in Lawai on Kauai.

BuddhaFace 82

This is another small piece which can be held in the palm of your hand. It is inspired by the ancient votive amulets in Southeast Asia.

BuddhaFace 83

Here is a Buddha and you can hold him in the
palm of your hand.
This piece is also for an altar or meditation.
It is finished with the Tibetan colors of red, green, yellow and blue which symbolize the elements.

BuddhaFace 84

I Am ... a Prayer Flag

with the wind blowing

through me --- I am always sending
out blessings of love and healing.

BuddhaFace 85

I AM … the Ocean … Upon my surface there is

swirling movement and sound, but within my depths,

I know I can find silence, stillness ...
and the oneness of it all.

BuddhaFace 86

I AM … like a Cracked Bell … I can be unresponsive when being struck. When I see myself in you, who is there to hurt? I am letting pain and anger dissolve in the light of Oneness.

BuddhaFace 87

I AM … Letting it go … All my ancient twisted karma created by beginningless ignorance, attachments, and delusion … born through my body, words, and thoughts, I truly avow. I am sorry … And now, I am letting it all go!

BuddhaFace 88

I AM ... a Bodhisattva of Compassion ... I close my eyes and see the Red Lotus of my Heart slowly opening into the bright sunshine of Enlightenment. I keep practicing and smiling!

BuddhaFace 89

I AM ... Aloha ... Guided by the sacred Hibiscus flower, I close my eyes and breathe in the cleansing energy of the Universe. The Mana of me, my sacred life force, awakens and calls Earth Mother and all her children to Ho'oponopono, the ritual of making things right. I smile Aloha!

BuddhaFace 90

I AM ... Spiraling Thoughts ... and "...on each thought, a lotus flower blooms..." I breathe in love and pass a lotus to YOU. We are smiling ... growing in wisdom together!

BuddhaFace 91

I AM ... Here ... I close my eyes and breathe ... Breathing in, I dwell in this present moment. Breathing out, I know it is a wonderful moment. Yes ... Yes ... I am here now!

BuddhaFace 92

Am I ... a Buddha??? Here I am witnessing myself and I do not see the BuddhaMe. I don the BuddhaMask with my BuddhaSmile and breathe during those times my wisdom gets clouded by the challenges of life. Soon my buddha-nature begins to reappear again. Thank you! More practice, I remind myself.

BuddhaFace 93

I AM … a Buddha in Disguise ... Where is the Buddha of Me? With the costume of life sometimes hiding my buddha-nature, I must remember to close my eyes, breathe, and see. Oh, yes! … here I AM. Thank you.

BuddhaFace 94

I AM ... the Rising Sun ... I close my eyes and see the solar energy of me swirling around and through my being. My breath joins this healing light calling forth the opening of my body, mind and soul. In one moment of this morning light, I see the Lotus of me Awakening. Yes! to seeing. I AM ... the Sun ... the Lotus ... Everything!

BuddhaFace 95

I AM ... A Flame ... The flame of my true nature, my awakened self, is calling your flame. We keep gathering and gathering. With our flames burning brightly in Oneness, we shall melt away the darkness of ignorance. Loving-kindness prevails.

BuddhaFaces 97 and 96

I AM ... YOU! ... I close my eyes and follow my breath. Breathing in and out ... in and out ... I connect with myself. Within the realm of breath, the mirror of truth appears. I AM looking at ME and seeing YOU. Thank you ... Breath!

BuddhaFace 98

I AM...a Lotus Moon...When I close my eyes, I feel the energy of me spiraling in the direction of change...full, light, powerful ... the lotus of me is open...receiving this energy and trusting the Universe... knowing that I AM forever going in the direction of Oneness.

BuddhaFace 99

I AM ... a Bodhi Tree... Dancing in the wind, I listen for the sound of the bell hanging from my branches... there it is! ... reminding me to be in the moment. Yes, here I AM.

BuddhaFace 100

I AM...Blessed...this Buddha relief being reminiscent of ancient amulets brings back a timeless practice of bestowing blessings. It was created in a space of peace and holds many blessings of Love.

BuddhaFace 101

I AM...Thankful...I close my eyes and smile...the gratitude flows...thank you...thank you...thank you...to all living things, to the Earth, to the Sky, to the Waters, and to the Air we breathe. I AM THAT!

BuddhaFace 102

I AM...Me...I AM...You...I breathe into my center, my solar plexus. Sun energy radiates throughout my being...feeling the fire purify my body, mind and soul, I smile...Truth is revealed here and there...I am powerful, but does it really matter in the oneness of all things...think of that...

BuddhaFace 103

I AM...Love...Feeling the energy of my headpiece, I see an orchid for love and creation... Ahh... a Turquoise stone calling me to be still and attentive... and a cowrie shell holding the mystery of it all. I close my eyes and see the Truth.

BuddhaFace 104

I AM ... an Offering to MySelf ... This Feminine Buddha relief is inspired by the ancient Buddhist amulets that are used for votive offerings. Created with that thought, this piece holds the blessing of remembering to bow to the Buddha within.

BuddhaFace 105

I AM...a Bodhi Leaf...falling from the Tree of Enlightenment... floating into Oneness. The golden bindhi on my Third Eye reminds me of my love and compassion for Mother Earth and all Things.

Buddha 106

I AM...a Buddha...this piece inspired by the Eyes of Buddha design seen on much of the Sacred Architecture in Nepal calls upon us to be witness to ourselves in every moment.

BuddhaFace 107

I AM...Earth...within the chaotic movement of existence, I find a stillpoint. Grounding again with my elemental sister and brothers...renewing the awareness of our energies vibrating interdependently. I smile with Balance...We are Grounded.

BuddhaFace 108

I AM...Grounded...I close my eyes and I feel my heart connecting with our Sacred Mother Earth. The elements of life... Earth... Wind... Fire... Water... spiral through my body equally sharing the Space of Me. Yes...I AM Grounded.

WHAT IS 108 FACES OF BUDDHA?

Simply, it is about 108 (and more) steps toward peace!

This is how it all began ... Early one morning, I had a thought of the mala that is used in meditation (like the one pictured above) to be symbolic of the connection of all things. They are connected… all 108 beads with each bead being used as a counter of our mantras (our prayers).

If you are familiar with malas, you know the love energy they emanate. You hold them, your fingers caress each bead, you invoke the mantra with each bead...108 times.

I had already begun to create clay pieces… peaceful meditating images with each holding a mantra. Then I realized each of these clay images were like the beads of a mala… all connected… all infused with love and inspiration for me and YOU on the pathway toward the realization of our loving- kindness for ALL.

My life, my art, and my spiritual practice became one. Here... I AM...

UNDER THE BODHI TREE IN HANAPEPE

MORE ABOUT MALAS AND MANTRAS...

Traditionally, a mantra would consist of a Sanskrit word or syllable which is chanted aloud or silently. A mantra is a spiritual tool that can be used along with a mala in a different kind meditation. One would use each bead to recite the mantra over and over again. The 108 beads help you to do that...and keeps track of the counting.

With my clay BuddhaFaces, it is slightly different... each piece is invoked with a thought while I am working with the wet clay... of course, the mantras are for me, but they are also for YOU. The affirmative mantras are directed toward spiritual growth, for gratitude, for health, for happiness, for peace...I let my heart lead me.

When gazed upon, these images serve as a reminder to realize our intrinsic loving and wise natures within. They also work on a subtle level of putting blessings out in the Universe. My personal commitment is to make 108 of the Buddhafaces... and they are here to share...

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: "Silence vibrating is Creation. Silence flowing is Love. Silence shared is Friendship. Silence seen is Infinity. Silence heard is Adoration. Silence expressed is Beauty. Silence maintained is Strength. Silence omitted is Suffering. Silence allowed is Rest. Silence recorded is Scripture. Silence preserved is Our Tradition. Silence given is Initiating. Silence received is Joy. Silence perceived is Knowledge. Silence stabilized is Fulfillment. Silence alone is." Thank you, Maharishi, for bringing Transcendental Meditation and your teachings to the Western world. You opened a door.

Walt Whitman ... Coming out of the 19th century, this poet is known as the father of free verse. He had the courage to live and to write his truths. With insight he could see people, nature, the cosmos and the inter-relationship between all things ... believing "a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars." When he said, "I am large. I contain multitudes" he shows his understanding that he does not stand alone. Thank you, Walt Whitman, for truly looking deeply into our human nature.

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