Meditations on Gallery 206

 

This more than life statute of Buddha stands at one end of this enormous gallery.  This statue probably from the second century CE is an example of the Chinese adaptation of Indian  Buddhism.  This large gallery with high ceilings is sparsely filled.  Two large statues, a tapestry and a few smaller items.  This adds to the awe inspiring feeling of the room.  This room also functions as a sort of ante-room to the rest of the Asian collection of the Met.

As I meditate on it I think of a recent poem I came across.  It has no attribution I could find but  I often recite it silently.

In moments of great stillness

When we contemplate things which no mouth can utter—

At that hour let us deepen the insight that we have.

Let us look inward.

Let us lift up our lives as if we were lifting a bucket from a well.

It is incumbent on us to strive for self understanding.

It is incumbent on us to balance the forces working in our souls.

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