“Sacred Places (9),” Print, 8″x11″, $5.95 Ea

Anything that awakens and touches our hearts even a little bit can open us to the possibility of something more. Within the fluctuating passions of the human realm, we can discover the unwavering force of selfless compassion and loving-kindness. This painting depicted the Ryozen Kannon (the White Clad Kuan-Yin ) located in Kyoto, Japan, 24 meters (about 79 feet) in height. This White Clad Kuan-Yin was made with 500 tons of concrete with steel-rod frames and was unveiled in 1955. Ryozen refers to Ryoju Sen, translated into English as Vulture Peak Mountain. It’s situated in modern-day Bihar State, India, where Shakyamuni Buddha gave several sermons, including the beloved Lotus Sutra so dear to Kannon devotees. Kannon is the Japanese version of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. In China, She is called Kuan-Yin, the Goddess of Great Compassion. Kuan-Yin manifests herself in any conceivable form wherever a being needs her help. Kuan-Yin usually holds a lotus blossom or a willow twig and a vase containing heavenly dew. The seated White Clad Kuan-Yin is the most famous and widespread image. In this style as the White Clad Kuan-Yin, the Goddess is serene beauty and compassion incarnate, the white symbolizing purity. The White Clad Kuan-Yin has become the most common form of Kuan-Yin in modern times.