Chiaroscuro
Continuing on a short break, reposting an article from March 7, 2012
Chiaroscuro is an Italian word that means “light-dark”. I first ran across this word when I was studying fine art way back, a long time ago. In art it is the contrast between light and dark, or the tonal values of a painting, though it also has other meanings in various art forms. Generally though it is about contrasts.
One way to observe a painting is to study the tonal qualities of the artwork, and frequently the stark contrasts between light and dark can say more to the viewer than the colors in the painting. In fact if a very colorful painting has no tonal contrasts, that is there is no light and dark, then the painting will be very bland and not so pleasing to the eye.
Our lives are much the same way. If it weren’t for the variations in our personalities, our tendencies and so forth we would all be boringly identical. Our lives would also be very ordinary, even if it was all bad or all good, it would still lack contrast and so would be bland.
I read something the other day that said it isn’t the big things that really make us happy or unhappy, it is little things. Think about this. The research found that for example on our jobs we gain a sense of happiness or dissatisfaction more from the accumulation of little events throughout the day or days, than we do from one or two major events.
We have a sense of our general disposition more from viewing a series of events than from one event.
Today we are able to practice Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra because we have created the causes to do so.
“We are now able to see you because we accumulated merits.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter VII)
And by the same method, the accumulation of the merits of our practice we can manifest the Buddha potential within our lives.
“He expounded this sutra, and obtained innumerable merits, he quickly attained the enlightenment of the Buddha by these accumulated merits.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XX)
Because we have problems we seek out a solution, that solution is to practice this Lotus Sutra. We will continue to experience difficulties, but we can create great merit for others and ourselves. Thereby we can create a beautiful life full of all the tones and values causing others to praise the sutra.
