"...Chapel Amidst Entertainment..." when referring to "chapel" in physical terms, it is a place where sacred Buddha images are housed and monks perform religious rites. Therefore the word "chapel" for me in connection with this work, has two underlying connotations. One, physically, it is an abode that has tangible shape and form. Two. abstractly, it is peace of mind or pure happiness. full of contentment, gentle and serene. "Chapel of the mind" implies perfect peace, which is the one and only peace. In this work. I have created an analogy of the "chapel of the mind" as "Chapel Amidst Entertainment." it is not a plain and simple chapel, but one that is enriched with adornments. This is desire of the material world that distracts the mind from being at peace. The mind that is light, swift, and drifts easily will be unable to concentrate itself on the single state, which is the state of peace. In other words, the mind is in the state of being encroached upon by evil. The use of symbols, to convey meanings whether it be objectively or subjectively, derived from Eastern beliefs and lifestyles concerning "Napa" or the "Great Serpent" to refer to the god-spirit (or half god half spirit that is sacred and almighty according to Indian belief and that of Indochina, especially Thailand) is deeply associated with Buddhism. The Napa is a mythological creature, a rainbow stairway bridging Heaven and Earth, protecting the religion. In Hinduism, the Napa that created the world - Nagaloka, was the provider of water and fertility. In Pali literature, there was a Napa called "Phaya Kala Napa Raja" who had great faith in Buddhism, and was the preserver of the golden tray belonging to Bodhisattva. Napa plays an important part of architecture from the roof down to the steps with different names given for each position and posture they assume. The Napa is used in this work along with other symbols to convey both physical and abstract meanings. The coiled up Napa resembling the Thai numeral one, represents the structure and details from the roof down to the steps of the chapel. It also represents the protector serpent that unites the two worlds. That is, the outside world or the body, and the inside world or the mind. The walls of the chapel is covered with alphabets representing the means of reaching Buddha-Dhamma in place of the mural paintings that depict the life of Buddha. These alphabets have been made to allow light to pass through, symbolizing the light of wisdom - light of Dhamma, which is the path to peaceful mind. The coiled serpent also represents the Dhammacakra or the wheel of Dhamma. Together with other symbols, this work is an analogy of the four groups of lotus flowers with different chances of blossoming above the water surface to receive the morning sun. The "thing" that lies in this chapel is a metaphor for exploring the "mind" : to see if what is seen is real or an illusion, and whether everybody sees the same or differently. what is seen indicates the state of mind in which "we" are heading for "chapel of the mind." |
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