The Journey of Soul

Panya Vijinthanasarn, who studied traditional art in Silpakorn Univesity, Thailand, is a representative artist of the traditional painting style that emerged in the 1980s. He is also known for the numerous murals he made, for example, the one in the Thai Buddhist Temple in London and another in the Siam Commercial Bank in Bangkok. The world of his painting, derived from Buddhist thought, is dignified and tranquil, inviting the viewers in to meditate. This is a grand scale painting reflecting the Buddhist worldview. Two worlds are floating in the universe under the gaze of Buddha. On the right is the neat, illuminated Pure Land. On the left is the chaotic world tinged with the color of blood, said to depict the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In other words, the world we are living in is the hell in contrast to the Pure Land. According to Buddhist teaching, the deeds of the previous life determine the fate of the coming life. Living in a world that is described as hell, where will our soul be in the next life? (YY)