An Oni Meditating

[Zenga 禅画　means zen painting, paintings that attempt to express the spirit of freedom in Zen. The zenga that inspired this painting is one of an Oni (demon) meditating, albeit very distractedly. It symbolizes that even a demon, if it can wrestle with itself in zazen, has buddhahood within. (That is one interpretation.) This image is crossed with the image of a bull in the 10 Oxherding Pictures, where spiritual practice is depicted as the path of losing, searching for, finding, taming, and forgetting one's "bull."

That being said, Cathie made this painting for me (Anton, aka "--ed.") It says a lot, about me, about where I am in my path. In this painting, Cathie teaches me a lesson, sympathizes with me, challenges me... Can you see how? What does the painting mean to you? --ed.]

Original sumi-e in Zenga 'style'. From May 29, 2011. Sumi ink and color on shikishi.