The
Supreme Master Ching Hai lived in a small mountain cave during a retreat.
A small tent was set up inside the cave. There was a wild papaya tree
outside, along with a stove made of stones for cooking tea. However,
the painting ended up like this. No one could understand its meaning
without Master's explanation.
Originally,
Master wanted to name it "The Tunnel"; not any tunnel of
this world, but the "tunnel of light" observed internally
by spiritual practitioners. There are some blue stars in the picture.
Later, Master felt that this title was too serious, so She changed
it to "Stone Cave".
It
became even more difficult for us to understand after Master used
this title. However, after Master's humorous explanation, the fellow
initiates viewing the painting all broke out in laughter. Didn't Master
often say that we are all "big stones"? The cave is our
wisdom-eye. This painting depicts the supra-worldly light that a bunch
of "big stones" like us perceive during meditation. Master
said that it is impossible to reproduce the beautiful inner light
perfectly with the coarse materials of this world, but She has done
Her best.
In
order to fully appreciate this painting, you have to look at it in
a unique while. You will find the colors of the lights changing. If
we view this picture with sufficient concentration, we will find it
easier to focus our attention during meditation.
Oil
Painting
Place: Pingtung Mountain, Formosa
Time: November - December 1990
Size: 64.8 cm x 52.3 cm
