Like a Shadow

The very first two verses from The Dhammapada are illuminated in Tibetan Tsugring calligraphy:

‘We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. If the mind is clear, what ever we do or say the mind will bring happiness that will follow you like your shadow.

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. If the mind is polluted, what ever we do or say leads to suffering which will follow you as a cart trails a horse.’

As an illuminated manuscript, The artist places himself as a monk with his shadow, while holding the ‘heading character’ of the verses. Completed with a fleeing horse, terrified of the cart that follows, which leaves a trail of fallen letter parts, tumbling from the cart to finish the verses.

Issued with this artwork is a Certificate of Authentication with description, which serves as provenance, as well as a recipe of value for insurance purposes.