Earth and Space News: Thich Nhat Hanh, EIAB Germany and Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings

Summary: Ajanta cave wall paintings anticipate present-moment mindfulness, sitting meditations and walking meditations of EIAB Germany founder Thich Nhat Hanh.

European Institute of Applied Buddhism founder Thich Nhat Hanh during Namo Avalokiteshvara chanting session invoking the name of Avalokiteshvara, the embodiment of compassion; the banner behind Thay states "glücklich zusammen leben (live happily together)"; EIAB, near Waldbröl, North Rhine-Westphalia, northwestern Germany; Thursday, June 3, 2010, 19:25: Rolf Franke, CC BY SA 3.0 Unported, via Wikimedia Commons

Present-moment mindfulness, sitting meditations and walking meditations arranged by EIAB Germany founder Thich Nhat Hanh in Waldbröl accommodate the ancient aims of Ajanta cave wall paintings and sculptures in Maharashtra, north-central India.

The European Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB) in Waldbröl, one hour from Cologne, northwest Germany, brings together under one roof Buddhist mindfulness practice and monastic training. The EIAB Germany curriculum from 2008 onward perhaps commemorates correct conduct from and current-moment concentration upon Ajanta cave wall paintings and sculptures in ancient Maharashtra state. It divides daily duties into mindful deeds, sitting meditations and walking meditations just as Ajanta Buddhist artisans, merchants and monks did 1,300 to 2,300 years ago.

Present-moment mindfulness, sitting meditations and walking meditations enact enlightened Prince Siddhartha Gautama's (from Sanskrit सिद्धार्थ, "successful" and गौतम, "brightness [dispels] darkness") Turning Wheel of Truth enumerations.

Twenty-first-century EIAB Germany features some numerology from Ajanta cave wall paintings and sculptures of the third through first centuries B.C.E. and the fourth through eighth C.E.

Four Noble Truths about life's turning wheel guide the Middle, Noble Eightfold Path away from life's greed-grounded suffering "vale of tears" and toward non-greedy, non-groveling enlightenment. Ajanta cave wall paintings and sculptures harbor Gautama Buddha (from Sanskrit बुद्ध, "awakened"), 550th jataka-harvested (from Sanskrit जातक, "born under") bodhisattva (from Sanskrit बोधिसत्त्व, "enlightened existence"). They indicate Gautama Buddha's 549 successive reincarnations and his 550th as indulged Sakyan Crown Prince Siddhartha Gautama (624?-544 B.C.E.?) instituting six-year enlightenment-investigating and 45-year enlightenment-implementing itineraries.

Ajanta cave wall paintings and sculptures visually and EIAB Germany founder Thich Nhat Hanh practically juggle judicious understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration.

Siddhartha Gautama knew self-enlightenment after sitting meditations seven days under a bodhi (Ficus religiosa) tree and mass-enlightenment during 45-year walking meditations throughout ancient India and Nepal.

Perhaps 200-plus Ajanta Sangha (from Sanskrit संघ, "multitude") lay and monastic community members logged mindful sitting meditations atop vihara (from Sanskrit विहार, "walking [hall]") monastery beds. They managed mindful walking meditations around pradakshina (from Sanskrit प्रदक्षिण, "to the right turning") aisles in chaitya (from Sanskrit चैत्य, "memorial mound, pedestal, pile") prayer halls. Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), bodhi, mango (Mangifera indica), rose-apple (Syzygium jambos), sala (Shorea robusta) and simsapa (Dalbergia sissoo) trees nurtured Gautama's mindful sitting meditations and walking meditations.

Teak (Tectona grandis) forests outside Ajanta cave wall paintings and sculptures perhaps occasioned present-moment mindfulness, sitting meditations and walking meditations outdoors by Ajanta Sangha community members.

The EIAB Germany Sangha lay and monastic community of founder Thich Nhat Hanh performs present-moment mindfulness, sitting meditations and walking meditations within a pine (Pinus) forest.

Deep listening and loving speech, healing and nourishment, reverence for life, and true happiness and love qualify as EIAB Germany mindful sitting meditations and walking meditations. Fourteen present-moment mindfulnesses, sitting meditations and walking meditations realize anger management; awareness; community; compassion; conduct; free-thinking; generosity; livelihood; loving, truthful communication; openness; presentness; reverence; and sangha. Gautama Buddha's Abhidharma, Sutra and Vinaya (from Sanskrit अभिधर्म, "teaching; सूत्र, "thread"; and विनय, "discipline") supported Ajanta cave wall paintings and sculptures and sustain EIAB Germany.

Ajanta cave wall paintings and sculptures and EIAB Germany founder Thich Nhat Hanh transmit what tallies today as 26-century-old present-moment mindfulness, sitting meditations and walking meditations.

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

a Buddha statue in the Buddha Garden, with Bell Stupa in background; European Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB), near Waldbröl, North Rhine-Westphalia, northwestern Germany: European Institute of Applied Buddhism @eiabgermany, via Facebook Nov. 8, 2014, @ https://www.facebook.com/eiabgermany/photos/a.812083055481398/812083118814725/

For further information:

"Ajanta Caves." UNESCO > Culture > World Heritage Centre > The List > World Heritage List.
Available @ http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/242

"Ajanta Caves Vulnerable to Landslides, Says Study." NDTV > India > News > August 6, 2014 15:50 IST.
Available @ https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ajanta-caves-vulnerable-to-landslides-says-study-616005

Anh-Huong, Nguyen; and Thich Nhat Hanh. 2019. Walking Meditation. Boulder CO: Sounds True.

Bankar, M.V.; and N.P. Bhosle. November-December 2017. "Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants in Ajanta Region (MS) India." IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences Volume 12, Issue 6 Ver. II: 59-64.
Available @ http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jpbs/papers/Vol12-issue6/Version-2/I1206025964.pdf

Barrett, Douglas E.; and Basil Gray. 1963. Painting of India. Geneva, Switzerland: Skira, Treasures of Asia. Distributed in the United States by World Publishing Co., Cleveland OH.

Behl, Benoy K. 2005. The Ajanta Caves: Ancient Paintings of Buddhist India. London UK: Thames & Hudson.

Boyd, Ryan. 14 December 2018. "Sacred Sites: Ajanta Caves." Evolve + Ascend > Ancient Wisdom > Culture > Occult > Sacred Sites.
Available @ http://www.evolveandascend.com/2018/12/14/sacred-sites-ajanta-caves/

Boyle, Alan. 25 November 2013. "Religious Roots of Buddha's Birthplace Traced Back 2,600 Years." NBC News > Science News.
Available @ https://www.nbcnews.com/sciencemain/religious-roots-buddhas-birthplace-traced-back-2-600-years-2D11648772

Burgess, J. (James). 1879. "Notes on the Bauddha Rock-Temples of Ajanta, Their Paintings and Sculptures, and on the Paintings of the Bagh Caves, Modern Bauddha Mythology, &c." Archaeological Society of Western India, no. 9. Bombay, India: Government Central Press.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/archaeologicals01indigoog/

Dalrymple, William. 15 August 2014. "The Ajanta Cave Murals: 'Nothing Less Than the Birth of Indian Art.'" The Guardian > Culture > Art & Design.
Available @ https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/aug/15/mural-ajanta-caves-india-birth-indian-art

European Institute of Applied Buddhism @eiabgermany. 8 November 2014. "Added a new photo -- with Rohan Gosawi." Facebook.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/eiabgermany/photos/a.812083055481398/812083118814725/

Fergusson, James. 1845. Illustrations of the Rock-Cut Temples of India: Text to Accompany the Folio Volume of Plates. London, England.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008483717/

Fergusson, James. 1845. Illustrations of the Rock-Cut Temples of India: Selected From the Best Examples of the Different Series of Caves at Ellora, Ajunta, Cuttack, Salsette, Karli, and Mahavellipore. Drawn on Stone by Mr. T.C. Dibdin, From Sketches Carefully Made on the Spot, With the Assistance of the Camera-Lucida, in the Years 1838-9. London, England: John Weale, M.DCCC.XLV.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008543106/

Fergusson, James; and James Burgess. 1880. The Cave Temples of India. London, England: W.H. Allen & Co.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/cavetemplesofind00ferguoft/

Fergusson, James; and Robert Gill. 1864. The Rock-Cut Temples of India; Illustrated by Seventy-Four Photographs Taken on the Spot by Major Gill. Described by James Fergusson. London, England: John Murray.
Available via HathiTrust @ https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100206115
Available via Wikisource @ https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rock-cut_Temples_of_India

Gill, Robert; and James Fergusson. 1864. One Hundred Stereoscopic Illustrations of Architecture and Natural History in Western India. Photographed by Major Gill and described by James Fergusson. London, England: Cundall, Downes & Co.

Gupte, R.S.; and B.D. Mahajan. 1962. Ajanta, Ellora and Aurangabad Caves. Bombay, India: D.B. Taraporevala Sons and Co.

Marriner, Derdriu. 26 April 2019. “Thich Nhat Hanh, Deer Park Monastery and Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/04/thich-nhat-hanh-deer-park-monastery-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 19 April 2019. “Thich Nhat Hanh, Blue Cliff Monastery and Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/04/thich-nhat-hanh-blue-cliff-monastery.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 12 April 2019. “Thich Nhat Hanh, Plum Village Tradition and Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/04/thich-nhat-hanh-plum-village-tradition.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 5 April 2019. “Thich Nhat Hanh, Tu Hieu Temple Walks and Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/04/thich-nhat-hanh-tu-hieu-temple-walks.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 29 March 2019. "Thich Nhat Hanh, Walking Meditations and Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/thich-nhat-hanh-walking-meditations-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 22 March 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 13.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave_22.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 March 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 12.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 8 March 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 8.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave_8.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 1 March 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 15A/30.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave_1.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 22 February 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Pithora Wall Art.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 February 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 29.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave_15.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 8 February 2019. “Ajanta Cave 26 in 200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/ajanta-cave-26-in-200th-anniversary.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 1 February 2019. “Ajanta Cave 19 in 200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/ajanta-cave-19-in-200th-anniversary.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 25 January 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings in Ajanta Cave 9.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 18 January 2019. “Ancient Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings and Inscriptions in Ajanta Cave 10.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/ancient-ajanta-cave-wall-paintings-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 11 January 2019. “Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings Ailing at World Heritage Centre Site.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/ajanta-cave-wall-paintings-ailing-at.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 4 January 2019. “Accurate, Ancient, Artistic Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings to Buddha.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/accurate-ancient-artistic-ajanta-cave.html

Nhat Hanh, Thich. 2017. The Art of Living. New York NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Nhat Hanh, Thich. 2007. The Dragon Prince: Stories and Legends From Vietnam. Berkeley CA: Parallax Press.

Nhat Hanh, Thich. 2006. The Energy of Prayer. Berkeley CA: Parallax Press.

Nhat Hanh, Thich. 2005. Zen Keys: A Guide to Zen Practice. First Three Leaves Press Edition. New York NY: Doubleday.

Pisani, Ludovico. 6 August 2013. "The Ajanta Cave Paintings." The Global Dispatches > Articles and Culture.
Available @ http://www.theglobaldispatches.com/articles/the-ajanta-cave-paintings

Saddhatissa, H. 1976. The Life of Buddha. New York NY: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.

Singh, Rajesh. 2012. An Introduction to the Ajanta Caves: With Examples of Six Caves. Vadodara, India: Hari Sena Press Private Limited.

Singh, Rajesh Kumar. 2017. Ajanta Cave No. 1: Documented According to the Ajanta Corpus of Dieter Schlingloff (Photographic Compendium, Ajanta Narrative Painting). Vadodara, India: Hari Sena Press Private Limited.

Somathilake, Mahinda. June 2013. "Painted Jataka Stories of Ancient Sri Lanka." International Journal of Arts and Commerce 2(6): 139-150.
Available @ https://ijac.org.uk/images/frontImages/gallery/Vol._2_No._6/14.pdf

Spink, Walter M. 2018. Ajanta: History and Development. Volume 1: The End of the Golden Age. Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 2 South Asia, Volume 18/1. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill Academic Publishers.

Spink, Walter M. 2018. Ajanta: History and Development. Volume 2: Arguments about Ajanta. Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 2 South Asia, Volume 18/2. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill Academic Publishers.

Spink, Walter M. 2005. Ajanta: History and Development. Volume 3: The Arrival of the Uninvited. Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 2 South Asia, Volume 18/3. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill Academic Publishers.

Spink, Walter M. 2008. Ajanta: History and Development. Volume 4: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture - Year by Year. Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 2 South Asia, Volume 18/4. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill Academic Publishers.

Spink, Walter M. 2006. Ajanta: History and Development. Volume 5: Cave by Cave. Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 2 South Asia, Volume 18/5. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill Academic Publishers.

Spink, Walter. 2017. Ajanta: History and Development. Volume 7: Bagh, Dandin, Cells and Cell Doorways. Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 2 South Asia, Volume 18/7. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill Academic Publishers.

Spink, Walter M; and Naomichi Yaguchi. 2014. Ajanta: History and Development. Volume 6: Defining Features. Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 2 South Asia, Volume 18/6. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill Academic Publishers.

Uno, Tomoko; and Yoshiko Shimazdu. "Thermal Environment in Ajanta Caves." Archi-Cultural Translations through the Silk Road: 2nd International Conference, Mukogawa Women's University, Nishinomiya, Japan, July 14-16, 2012, Proceedings.
Available @ http://www.mukogawa-u.ac.jp/~iasu2012/pdf/iaSU2012_Proceedings_401.pdf

"World Heritage Sites - About Ajanta Caves 01 to 29." Archeological Survey of India > Monuments > World Heritage Site > Ajanta > About Caves.
Available @ https://web.archive.org/web/20120501151253/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_ajanta_caves.asp

Earth and Space News

Friday, May 3, 2019

Thich Nhat Hanh, EIAB Germany and Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings

No comments:

Post a Comment