▽ 石材 高麗石（こうらいせき） ▽ サイズ 35mm角 ▽ この作品について 私は、『七仏通誡偈（しちぶつつうかいげ）』の冒頭の一節である「諸悪莫作（しょあくまくさ）」という言葉を彫りました。これは、仏教における根本的な倫理的実践を簡潔に表現しています。 ▽ 諸悪莫作の意味 この句は、『七仏通誡偈』の最初に現れます。「諸悪莫作」は歴史を通じて広く引用され、用いられてきました。例えば、曹洞宗の開祖である道元禅師は、『正法眼蔵』の中で『七仏通誡偈』について論じ、特に「諸悪莫作」を強調しています。唐の詩人、白居易（はくきょい）と道林禅師（どうりんぜんじ）との興味深いやり取りも特筆されます。白居易が仏教の要諦を尋ねた際、道林は「諸悪莫作　衆善奉行（しょあくまくさ　しゅぜんぶぎょう）」（あらゆる悪をなさず、あらゆる善を行う）と答えました。白居易は、それは三歳の子供でも知っていることだと軽んじましたが、道林が「しかし、八十歳になっても完全に実践することはできない」と付け加えると、謙虚になりました。そして白居易は恭しく礼をして立ち去りました。この句は三歳の子供でも唱えられるほど単純に思えるかもしれませんが、仏陀たちによって伝えられてきた不朽の真理を凝縮しています。 ▽ 制作について 「悪をなすことなかれ」という考えは強い反発を覚えるかもしれませんが、私たちはこの教えにどれほど忠実に生きているでしょうか。自信を持って同意できる人は多くないでしょう。人生の瞬間に「諸悪莫作」を反芻し、この言葉が、過ちを犯すことから自らを省み、抑制するためのきっかけ、注意喚起となるようにと願いながら、私はこれらの言葉を彫りました。 ＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ ▽ Stone Material Goryeo Stone ▽ Size 35mm square ▽ About this Artwork I carved the phrase "諸悪莫作" ("shoaku makusa") from the opening verse of the 'Seven Buddhas' Universal Admonition, succinctly expressing the fundamental ethical practice in Buddhism. ▽ Meaning of 諸悪莫作 This phrase appears at the beginning of the Seven Buddhas' Universal Admonition. "諸悪莫作" has been widely quoted and used throughout history. For instance, Dogen Zenji, the founder of the Soto Zen sect, discusses the 'Seven Buddhas' Universal Admonition in the "Shobogenzo," particularly emphasizing "諸悪莫作." An intriguing exchange between the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi and Zen master Daolin is also notable. When asked about the essence of Buddhism, Daolin responded with "諸悪莫作　衆善奉行" ("Refrain from all evil, practice all good"). Bai Juyi, dismissing it as something even a three-year-old child would know, was humbled when Daolin added, "Yet, even an 80-year-old cannot fully practice it." Bai Juyi then respectfully bowed and left. While this verse may seem simple enough for a three-year-old to recite, it encapsulates the enduring truth passed down by the Buddhas. ▽ About the Production The notion of "Do not do evil" might evoke strong reactions, but how faithfully are we living our lives in adherence to this teaching? It's likely that not many can confidently nod in agreement. Reflecting on "諸悪莫作" in moments of life, I carved these words with the aspiration that they might serve as a reminder, a trigger to contemplate and restrain ourselves from wrongdoing.

▽ 石材 高麗石（こうらいせき） ▽ サイズ 35mm角 ▽ この作品について 鎌倉時代末期から南北朝時代にかけて臨済宗の僧侶であった高峰覚明（こうほうかくみょう）が説いた禅の真髄を彫りました。彫られた文字は「照顧脚下（しょうこきゃっか）」であり、「足元を照らせ」と訳されます。 ▽ 照顧脚下の意味 照顧脚下、すなわち「足元を照らせ」とは、「自分の足元を注意深く見つめよ」と促す禅の言葉です。禅の哲学では、過去、現在、未来は連続した線として繋がっているのではなく、「今」という一連の点として捉えられます。過去への執着や、未来への期待や不安を持たずに、今この瞬間に最善を尽くして生きることを奨励しています。 人生において、将来の目標にばかり目を向けていると、自分の現在の立ち位置を見失いがちです。立ち止まって、自分の足元を見つめ、現在の状況を確認することで、次のステップが見えてくることがあります。そのような時、「自分の現在の位置を確認せよ」と促すのが、この禅語「照顧脚下」なのです。 ▽ 制作について 禅を探求する中でこの言葉に出会い、その深い意味を熟考しました。世の無常を理解する中で、この哲学を「一期一会」のような茶道の概念や、この作品における禅語「照顧脚下」のように、瞬間を大切にすることの重要性と結びつけました。日常生活におけるその実践性を認識し、 tangible な芸術作品として保存することを選びました。 ＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ ▽ Stone Material Goryeo Stone ▽ Size 35mm square ▽ About this Artwork I carved the essence of Zen preached by the Rinzai Zen monk Kofu Kakumei during the late Kamakura period to the Nanboku-cho period. The carved characters represent "照顧脚下" (shōgu kyakka), which translates to "illuminate beneath your feet." ▽ Meaning of 照顧脚下 照顧脚下, or "illuminate beneath your feet," is a Zen phrase urging one to "look carefully at one's own step." In Zen philosophy, the past, present, and future are not connected like a continuous line but are viewed as a series of points in the "present." It encourages living without attachment to the past, without anticipation or anxiety about the future, and focusing on doing one's best in the present moment. In life, solely fixating on future goals can obscure your current position. Taking a moment to pause, looking at your immediate surroundings, and confirming your current stance can reveal the next steps. The Zen phrase "照顧脚下" prompts you to "confirm your present position" during such times. ▽ About the Production I encountered this phrase during my exploration of Zen, contemplating its deep meaning. Understanding the impermanence of the world, I connected this philosophy to the importance of cherishing the moment, resonating with concepts like "一期一会" (ichigo ichie) in the way of tea and the Zen phrase "照顧脚下" in this artwork. Recognizing its practicality in daily life, I chose to preserve it as a tangible piece of art.

▽ Stone Korean stone ▽ Size 35mm square ▽ About this work The characters represent the Zen phrase "日日是好日" (Nichi-Nichi-Kore-Kou-Jitsu) from the Zen Buddhist record "Hekiganroku." ▽ Meaning of 日日是好日 / Nichi-Nichi-Kore-Kou-Jitsu The phrase translates to "Every day is a good day." The background of this expression conveys the idea that whether a day becomes good or bad depends on our mindset and attitude. ▽ Production If both good and bad days depend on our own mindset, we naturally desire to make each day a good one. Using the character "日" to represent the changing expressions of good and bad, the final character "日" specifically conveys a positive expression.

▽ Stone Korean stone ▽ Size 35mm square ▽ About this work The characters "色即是空" (Shiki-Soku-Ze-Kū) were carved, which is a phrase found in the "Heart Sutra" that encapsulates the essence of the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. It is a fundamental doctrine, expressing "Color is emptiness." ▽ Meaning of 色即是空 / Shiki-Soku-Ze-Kū This is a fundamental Buddhist teaching that states that everything in this world lacks a constant inherent nature and exists through dependent origination. ・ 色 / Shiki "Color" represents "all things and phenomena in the present world." ・ 即 / Soku and 是 / Ze "Soku" and "Ze" together convey the meaning of "namely" or "that is to say." ・ 空 / Ku "Emptiness" signifies that all phenomena, including the phenomenon of existence, exist on the basis of their respective causal relationships. Additionally, it emphasizes that there is no independent, unchanging substance (i.e., self-nature) because phenomena arise through causation. In other words, all existence is devoid of self-nature and is described as "emptiness." This theory was developed by the 2nd-century Indian monk Nagarjuna. ▽ Production The characters are carved in seal script, and the thickness and thinness of the letters are intentionally varied using serif to express the impermanence of life (the absence of constant stability in life).

▽ Stone Material Korean Stone ▽ Size 35mm square ▽ About this Artwork When stamped, it is carved to evoke the image of the Maitreya Bodhisattva in a half-lotus contemplating pose at Chugu-ji Temple. ▽ Maitreya Bodhisattva in Half-Lotus Contemplating Pose Maitreya Bodhisattva is the future Buddha who appears after Shakyamuni Buddha, revered as a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. The pose involves bending the right leg and placing it on the left knee, known as "half-lotus," with the right hand resting on the cheek in a contemplative gesture ("shuyui"). ▽ About the Production I carved the Bodhisattva image that I find most beautiful. In contemporary Japan, the pose with the bent right leg and the left knee as a support is considered indecent and inappropriate. However, the Maitreya Bodhisattva in a half-lotus contemplating pose exudes a noble and venerable beauty, transcending any sense of impropriety. I carved it to bring forth such a dignified presence.