Illuminated Iconographic Tibetan Calligraphy

Title:
Sacred Mantra

Chinese ink and Japanese mineral paint on Heavy watercolour paper, 73x56 cm, 2010

The central column transcending vertically from the open lotus and moon disk, representing stainless purity, is the Mani Mantra of lovingkindness:
oṃ ma ṇi pad me hūṃ.
This is depicted in a rare form of Phags-pa script style that originates 12th century, China.
The background of a swirling like water pattern represents the ocean of Saṃsāra.
Flanking the mantra either side is a prayer to engender ‘pure perception’ in the Tibetan Dru-tsa script of indigo ink.
The prayer, especially translated by Katia Holmes for this particular calligraphy piece and for the benefit of all who reads it:

Integrating everything into the spiritual path:
Each and every being in this universe is Avalokiteshvara, the embodiment of compassion,
Every sound heard hums the melody of the six sacred syllables,
This very place is truly the Pure Land of Great Bliss,
Devoid of any actual reality, like a magic show, like a dream.
It is as though we had already been reborn there.
As we cultivate “pure perception” with great joy, all veils are cleared.
One should practice “pure perception” in the way explained above.

This particular calligraphy was create especially for the The III International Exhibition of Calligraphy 2010 in the historical Russian city of Velikly Novgorod, hosted by the Contemporary Calligraphy Museum of Moscow.

Click here for more details on the exhibition and a detailed explanation of this calligraphy.