弟子心淨來電郵提問：
Disciple Xin Jing emailed the question:

我畫了一幅佛像，畫的時候起初無法拿定背景應該如何繪製，最後畫上了遠山和氣霧表示一種空明境地；順法却認爲背景十分雜亂，讓我改成天空。
所以這個問題我想請教您，也想了解一些您對佛像的看法，以便呈現其形態及境界。
I drew a Buddha image, when I began to draw it, I could not decide on how to draw the background, in the end, I drew distant mountains and foggy air to represent a realm of blank brilliance. Disciple Shun Fa considered it a messy background and asked me to change it into sky.
Therefore, I would like to ask you about this problem, and also would like to know your views on Buddha images, so that I might be able to present their forms and realms.

 

上師回答：
Guru Replied:

順法的看法是傳統的造像。正式供奉的佛像甚至有《造像量度經》可依循。
你是顯現菩薩空明的身體，所以看得到隨侍者，蠻好。
基本上，佛法是教導大家不要拘泥於形象，也就是不被成見束縛，所以你順你的意境創作是好的。有些佛像、佛畫是依據感應經驗來表達的，也不一定能依循傳統的規範。

Disciple Shun Fa′s view is in accordance with the tradition of drawing Dharma images. Buddha images for formal display and worship are even supposed to follow certain Sutras on the Making of Dharma Images.
You presented the transparent bright body of the Bodhisattva, and hence the attending retinue are visible; this is quite well-done.
Basically, Dharma instructs people not to be confined by concepts, in other words, not to be bound by established views, hence it is fine that you drew according to your creative perception. Some Buddha images or Dharma paintings are expressions based on inspirational experiences, and hence they could not definitely follow traditional regulations.

 

二○二四年十一月十二日
養和齋　　　　　於加州

November 12, 2024
El Cerrito, California