Supreme Art

By Artist Ha Cam Tam, California, U.S.A. (Originally In Au Lac Language)

Different from other landscape oil paintings by Supreme Master Ching Hai, these two pastel paintings portray the vastness of the universe with a spacious layout and gentle strokes. A variety of shades of greenish blue and lemon-yellow were used to paint the stars and the moons in these paintings.

For example, the dreamlike crescent moon in "Peaceful Night" is surrounded by a light yellow circle, while a large brilliant white circle engulfs the sky that's full of stars and the moon. This big white circle cannot be fully contained within the picture frame. The upper part of it goes beyond the painting, so the viewer feels the boundless space of the infinite universe. In contrast, the individual is made to feel quite insignificant, as if a tiny speck of dust in the vastness of space. The unique appearance of the greenish blue shading is more precious than jade on a king's crown.

Behind a foggy veil sits the moon, and within this silvery white light sits the goddess Chang Er. In pairs, in clusters, or in solitary display, the stars attend to the moon, which is like an empress in her court, sitting high on her throne, with all the chancellors and generals at her feet. A pristine, luminescent vibration emitted from Supreme Master Ching Hai's "Peaceful Night" makes the viewer forget their worldly burdens and frustrations, and enables one to enter a refreshing saintly realm that is so often indiscernible to worldly people.

In the other pastel painting, "New Era", Supreme Master Ching Hai also used simple and pure colors. The layout is as simple as that employed in "Peaceful Night". Both were painted in Japan. The main characteristic of "New Era" is the foggy moon that displays some light green angular streaks to the right. One actually feels one is looking at the real moon high up in the sky.

In the center, high above, is a sign showing the way to the supreme realm. A crescent moon, resembling God's giant finger, points the way back to heaven. The stars act as beacons of light that guide sentient beings, who are seeking the Truth, back Home. Together with the escalating green streaks, one is left in no doubt as to the ascending route. The small canvas is filled with stars, the moon, and a symbolic Sound Current that lights up the entire sky.

These two paintings belong to the abstract school of art. Through the hands of a fully enlightened painter, intangible and ethereal forms of inspiration are marvelously portrayed on both the canvases. Unconsciously, one remembers a time long ago, when the universe was strange, empty and emotionless. These two abstract paintings deliver a hopeful message of a grand union between heaven and Earth, and allow us a taste -- albeit symbolic -- of the glorious Sound and Light. Space is the territory of innumerable elite souls. It is all encompassing and the route constantly traveled by gods and Saints.