"... Shed the shells..." brings the general concept behind some parts of the presentation that were used in "...Shed skin..." (2001) and "...Outer Shell...." (2002), which are still unsettled in my mind and also concerns the intended use of certain symbols to convey the idea of comparative philosophy in Buddhism. This is the key issue that I ask myself, as well as everybody, in order to try and understand that what we see as beautiful, nice, or essential, is really our self, or belong to us, not only externally, but also internally (of the mind). Are they in fact a shield, and that the answers each of us discovered or see as "common images" are the same or different, and in what ways? The point here is that we should ask ourselves whether it is time that we look at our inner self, our mind, through "absolute peace of mind" to control our wandering thoughts and feelings so that we are above all attachments like one who understands the world clearly. This is Knowing. "...Knowing..." both internally and externally. Knowing the way things are and the goings on. This led to the use of symbols to convey meanings and feelings. It can be generalized that the "snake" represents evil and is a creature of the dark side according to western concept. In the East however, it is the opposite. The Hindus for example, worship the snake because it is a creature of the gods. In astrology, it is a symbol of those born under the sign of the water dragon. In Thailand, the serpent is a creature that is associated with Buddhist beliefs and the way of life, and is generally known as the Great Napa. The serpent is also a symbol of the year under the star sign which one is born: Marong - big snake, and Maseng - little snake, which incidentally is also the year in which I was born. In this series, "snake" was used as a metaphor for instinct; and the human instinct to be supreme is usually compared to the snake. The outer human shell is the body, and the inner one, the mind. Therefore snakeskin refers to the shell that encases the mind and body, holding it down to earth. This work also includes other symbols that convey certain meanings such as: ...Khon mask... represents "way of life" From the above it is apparent that we need to use our "yana" (senses) in order to perceive, and use our minds in order to see these issues in the same or different light. |
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