Well it feels like months since I’ve archived sketchbook stuff after having my account disabled @jon_barleycorn . I still don’t know why and it’s still like that- I think you can still see my archive there but I can’t like, comment or follow still so the account is useless. So after seething with frustration and cursing Instagram I had no choice but to start again from scratch with this new account and begin again from where I left off. Today’s set are the perfect symbol for letting go of anger and starting again. This set is from the Book of Learning volume 2. It is the designs for a print not even cut yet(which is how recent this book is). It depicts my favourite Buddhist story of the terrifying Angulimala, who’s name means “necklace of finger-bones”. As a youth he had been tricked by an evil teacher into believing that if he could collect a hundred (or in some versions a thousand) finger bones that he would achieve magical powers. He became a murderer who prowled forests killing indiscriminately to steal fingers. When attempting to take his final finger he targeted the Buddha, wandering on his alms round but was stopped in his tracks by His perfect stillness and compassion. He immediately submitted and vowed to follow the Buddha as a monk to strive toward redemption of his heinous sins. His ordained name was Ahimsaka (meaning, the one who does no harm) and he eventually purified all negative karma becoming enlightened under the Buddhas guidance. These panels show working through of rough drawings toward something more solid with notes and doodles. The woman holding the child was Ahimsaka’s final test of compassion when he saved her, lost in the forest and suffering in the pangs of childbirth. It must have been nightmarish for her to recognise who had answered her cries until she understood Angulimala was dead and in his place was a Bodhisattva of compassion. Angulimala is still considered the Buddhist patron saint/protector of pregnant women and the Buddhist prison chaplaincy is named after him to honour his redemption. #sketchbook #planningdrawings #linocut #angulimala #buddhism #bodhisattva #redemption #ahimsaka #printmakersofinstagram #triratnabuddhism (at Minster Court) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHD17LmnLBX/?igshid=pr12p5qvuo6j
