Dharma Paintings by Zen Master Bunju


Dharma Paintings by Zen Master Bunju

Dharma Paintings and Calligraphies by Zen Master Bunju

Bumju, Man of Mt. Sokri

Dharma Zen Center
294 Jeulgol, Donggwan-2ri, Hwanam-myun,
Sangju-kun, Kyungsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

TEL: 82-054-535-0378

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




 
1966 Graduated from The College of Fine Art, Hongik University
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)
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.)
  New York Zen Painting Exhibition and
Zen Dancing at the Invitation of Ramama Theater
  Zen Painting Exhibition and
Performance at the Invitation of North Carolina Arts College, N.C.
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
  Exhibition of Zen painting and
ceramic art to restore holy place, Rumbini(Lotte Gallery in Seoul, Korea)
  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)
   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)
  Bumju Exhibition to make a better world.(Sejong Cultural Center Gallery)
1997 Exhibition to help starving children in North Korea.
  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

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.



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.



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