MayursPaintings

This painting is called "dhammacakkappavattana" (धम्मचक्कप्पवत्तन) which means "setting in motion the wheel of dhammā". I repainted the same scene from an earlier painting called "Khanti". Buddha set the wheel of dhamma in motion by delivering the "dhammacakkappavattana sutta" (धम्मचक्कप्पवत्तन सुत्त) in the Deer Park in Sarnath, Varanasi to five of his meditation companions: Konadaññā, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahānāma, and Assaji (कोनदञ्ञा, वप्प, भद्दिय, महानाम, अस्सजि) who became his first disciples. In this sutta, Buddha talks about following: 1. A monk who wants to achieve nibbana should stay away from the two extremes of sensual pleasures and self-mortification, and should practice the middle path. 2. The noble eight fold path (categorized under sila, samādhi and pañña). 3. The four noble truths and how to fully experience them in 12 steps within the framework of meditation. While listening to the sutta, Konadaññā entered the state of nibbāna (निब्...

This painting is called mittānisaṃsaṃ (मित्तानिसंसं) meaning the merit or advantage of friendship.  One who doesn't betray friends, gains merits. In this scene, some kids are playing cricket in Nihalapur (near Varanasi), my ancestral village.

This painting is called śramaṇa (श्रमण) meaning "one who labors, toils, or exerts themselves for spiritual practices or seeker, one who performs acts of austerity, ascetic." The term in early [Vedic literature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas) is predominantly used as an epithet for the *[Rishis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishi)* with reference to *Shrama* associated with the ritualistic exertion. The later śramaṇa tradition includes followers of the [Buddh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism)a and Mahavira, and others such as the [Ājīvikas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80j%C4%ABvika), [Ajñanas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aj%C3%B1ana) and [Cārvākas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charvaka). The śramaṇa movements arose in the same circles of [mendicants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendicant) in ancient India that led to the development of meditation/[yogic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga) practices, as well as the popular concepts in all major [Indian...

This painting is called "Karuṇā" (करुणा) meaning compassion and self-compassion in the Prākrit Language. Develop compassion for one-self and all beings ... Karuṇā is also one of four Brahmavihāras (ब्रह्मविहार). The Brahmavihāras mean the four qualities of a Brahmā (represented by the four heads) which are as follows:  1. mettā (अनंन्त मैत्री or infinite loving-kindness) 2. karuṇā (अनंन्त करुणा or infinite compassion) 3. muditā (अनंन्त मुदिता or infinite sympathetic-joy) 4. upekkhā (अनंन्त उपेक्षा or समता or infinite equanimity) These Brahmavihāras can be developed by the practice of purification of the mind or Vipassanā.

This painting is called "samatha" (समथ) meaning tranquility, stillness, one-pointedness of the mind, समाधि or चित्त एकाग्रता. This is a scene from mid 1980s in India.

This painting is called Kalyāṇa Mitta (कल्याण मित्त) meaning कल्याण मित्र or Noble Friend. This is a scene likely from 1970s or early 1980s where Goenkaji, my Vipassana teacher, is teaching some monks. --------- In the Pali Canon's Upaddha Sutta (SN 45.2), there is a conversation between the Buddha and his disciple Ananda in which Ananda enthusiastically declares,  'This is half of the holy life, admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.'  The Buddha replies: 'Don't say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, & comrades, he can be expected to develop & pursue the noble eightfold path.'

This painting is called aniccā (अनिच्चा) meaning अनित्य or impermanence (in Prākrit language). This is a scene from Paro Taktsang monastery in Bhutan.

This painting is called "pubbenivāsānussati" (pubbe-nivāsa-anussati, पुब्बेनिवासानुस्सति, पुब्बे-निवास-अनुस्सति in prākrit language) meaning recollection of former residence.  It is a scene from my former home in Varanasi. Painted in acrylic.

This painting is called “nekkhamma” (in Pāli) which means निष्क्रमण or renunciation.  This is an Indian village.

I call this painting “Khanti”, which is a Pāli word meaning shānti, शांति or tolerance.  This is a scene in Sarnath that I painted with acrylic RGBYWK colors.