Master Bumju began painting Dharma pictures as a Buddhist mission. Now, he considers his creations a manner of self-discipline. After Master Bumju graduated from College of Fine Art, Hongik University, he entered a monastery to study under Zen Master Jeongang in 1966. His formal fine arts education makes Bumjoo a unique Zen monk. He has held several private exhibitions in New York, Paris, Tokyo as well as at home |
Master Jeongang |
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1966 |
Graduated from The College of Fine Art, Hongik University |
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Entered a monastery, studying under the Zen Master Jeongang |
1967-76 |
Participated in Zen Meditation at Bubbo and other Zen Centers in Korea |
1976 |
1st Private Exhibition of Zen Painting (Buddhist Hall Gallery) |
1977 |
Abbot of Ankuksa Temple |
1978 |
Exhibition in memory of Korean Buddhist Monks' Zen Painting Club |
1979 |
Private Exhibition of Zen Painting (The Korea Press Center Gallery) |
1980 |
International (Korea, Japan, China) Zen Painting Exhibition (Seoul Packing Design Center, Pusan International Gallery) |
1981 |
Private Exhibition of Zen Painting (To raise funds for the handicapped) (Sejong Cultural Center Gallery) |
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Went to U.S.A as International Buddhist Missionary and chief priest of Tahlmahsa Temple, L.A. |
1982 |
Private Exhibition of Zen Painting at L.A. (Samil Dang Gallery) |
1983 |
Private Exhibition of Zen Painting (San Fransisco Cultural Center) |
1984 |
Private Exhibition of Zen Painting (Korean Cultural Center, N.Y./ Private Exhibition of Zen Painting (New Jersey Demarest Cultural Center) |
1985 |
Private Exhibition of Zen Painting and Performance (At the Invitation of The Asia Society, N.Y.) |
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New York Zen Painting Exhibition and Zen Dancing at the Invitation of Ramama Theater |
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Zen Painting Exhibition and Performance at the Invitation of North Carolina Arts College, N.C. |
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Chief priest of Chungbubsa Temple N.Y. |
1986 |
Taught Zen Meditation and Painting to Americans at the Seoho Open Cultural Center in New York |
1987 |
Zen Painting Exhibition and Performance (Le Monde Cultural Center, Paris, France) |
1989 |
Returned home |
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Exhibition of Zen painting and ceramic art to restore holy place, Rumbini(Lotte Gallery in Seoul, Korea) |
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Exhibition to Raise Funds for Buddhist Broadcasting Station (Commodore Hotel in Pusan, Korea) |
1990 |
Private Exhibition in Memory of the 10th anniversary of the Taewonsa Temple (Hilton Hotel, Hawaii) |
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Exhibition at the invitation of the Heikanji Temple, Tokyo, Japan |
1991 |
Private Exhibition and Performance at the invitation of the Asia Society, N.Y. |
1992 |
Private Exhibition at the invitation of Yul-Gok Festival. (Dong-Hae Tourist Hotel, Korea) |
1993 |
Charity Exhibition to Construct Charity House (Kyong-In Gallery, Korea) |
1994 |
Charity Exhibition to Construct Charity House (Sejong Cultural Center Gallery) |
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Bumju Exhibition to make a better world.(Sejong Cultural Center Gallery) |
1997 |
Exhibition to help starving children in North Korea. |
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Korean Buddhist Cultural Art Festival in Hamburg. |
2000 |
ChungBuk Buddhist Cultural Center's one year anniversary commemorational Exhibition Grand Exhibition |
2001 |
Private Zen Painting Exhibiton to raise funds to support the homeless (Gongheung Art Gallery, Seoul) Exhibition at the Dageu Youngnam Buddhist college and Gwan-Eum- Sa Buddhist Temple Invitational Zen Painting Exhibition and Performance Grand Buddha Hall |
2002 |
Hae-In-Sa Buddhist Temple for Tripitaka Koreana Wood Blocks Festival Invitational Zen Painting Exhibition and Dharma Painting Performance Hae-In-Sa GukhangRoo Exhibition Hall |
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Towards an Understanding of Zen Painting
Today, the world is becoming a home and mankind a family. As human beings become increasingly enslaved by material civilization, they feel intimidated by it. A deprivation of human nature arises from the lack of a spiritual life. It seems to be a natural trend for many to have a strong interest in Zen, the core element of Buddhism and a possible restorer of human nature. Meditation in Zen Buddhism is the only way to find one's real self. Zen is both central to Buddhism and surpasses it. Zen is not only a religious practice. It engages with various educations, the arts, and so on. Zen is the essence of truth and refers to a state where man and universe mingle with each other without the notion of life and death. Zen painting occurs when a picture is created by a meditator of Zen Buddhism at the very stroke of a brush. They can inspire devotion to Zen meditation and help us realize our truths. When exhibited as an art piece, a Zen painting differentiates itself from others. Artistically, it purifies viewers' sentiments; religiously, it enlightens them. It focuses on the spiritual rather than the technical.
The highest goal of Zen painting is to lead people towards an indifference of worldly things in the aspect of content with no finesse in the aspect of form. When an absence of the worldly desires and non-finesse is harmonized together through devotion, mature and perfect Zen paintings are made. Modern Abstract painting, has been heavily influenced by 'Paintings of Meditation' prevailing in Oriental countries. In Abstract painting, the emphasis is placed on the process and the state of mind rather than the form.
As 90% of all Korean Cultural Treasures are related to Buddhism, Zen may be called the invisible wellspring of Korean Cultural Art. All we have to do today is uphold the banner of Zen spirit to cure the mental devastation of the contemporary people and to regain the true human nature. It seems that the only way people can develop an interest in Zen is after it gains popularity among Westerners. It is time to throw out the stereotyped way of thinking that Western things are superior to ours. We must find the spiritual remains hidden in our culture, resourcefully using and sharing it with others. Zen is presumed to be an appropriate modern way to enable every person, regardless of one's faith, to find their real self and learn the true way of life through appreciating art works. Confusion arises with the differentiation between Buddhist paintings and Zen paintings. While the former places emphasis on the external figure of the religious object, the latter is based on the mental expression of an artist. Not every Dharma painting can be called Zen painting, it must be equipped with a pure mind and the Zen spirit. Zen is a fountain of truth whose water helps nourish our spirit. It continues to flow into new eras. Zen painting is one of the most appropriate ways of popularizing Zen; restorer of our human nature. It helps harmonize individuals, homes, societies and the world with the help of the merciful nature of the Buddha by removing the dark side of things which cause anguish.
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Private/Invitational Exhibition 1997 Bumju Exhibition to help starving children in North Korea 1994 Bumju Exhibition for a better world 1993 Bumju Exhibition to raise funds to build the Charity House 1992 Invitational Exhibition at Yulkokje in Kangneung 1991 Invitational Exhibition at Asia Society Cultural Center 1991 Exhibition at the invitation of Heikanji-Temple, Tokyo, Japan 1990 Exhibition commemorating the 10th anniversary of Daewonsa Temple 1989 Exhibition to raise funds for Buddhist Broadcasting Station 1989 Bumju's Zen painting & ceramic art Exhibition 1987 Exhibition of Zen painting (Le Monde Cultural Center, Paris, France) 1985 Exhibition of Zen painting (Asia Society Cultural Center) 1985 Exhibition of Zen painting (Ramama Theater, N.Y.) 1985 Exhibition of Zen painting (North Carolina Arts College) 1984 Exhibition of Zen painting (Korean Cultural Center, N.Y.) 1984 Exhibition of Zen painting (Demarest Cultural Center in New Jersy) 1983 Exhibition of Zen painting (SanFransisco Cultural Center) 1982 4TH ZEN PAINTING BY REV. BUMJU 1981 Bumju Exhibition to raise funds for the handicapped 1979 Exhibition of Zen painting, Man of Mt. Seolbong 1976 Private Exhibition of Zen painting
Group Exhibition
1997 Korean Buddhist Culture Festival in Hamburg 1981 Zen painting Exhibition for International Buddhist Culture exchange 1978 Exhibition Paintings and Calligraphic works of Korean Art Masters 1978 Exhibition commemorating the foundation of Chungmuk Asso.
This digital collection contains 12 documents.
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