The title of the exhibition, A PURE WORKING is drawn from John Taulers' book "Following of Christ." Aldous Huxley also quotes John Tauler in his novel, "After Many a Summer."
"God is a being withdrawn from creatures, a free power, a pure working. Man, then is as a nothingness surrounded by, indigent of, a being withdrawn from creatures, a pure working if he so desires. If he so desires." In June of 1963, Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk set himself on fire on a street in Saigon. His immolation drew worldwide attention to the plight of the Buddist population of South Vietnam. It caused a stir in the White house and was an embarrassment to the American support of the Diem regime. During the following years of the war, countless numbers of Buddhist monks and nuns performed acts of self-immolation. And in the United States eight Americans also protested the war and sacrificed their lives by burning. Alice Herz was the first to do so in 1965, Norman Morrison followed a few months later at the Pentagon in view of Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, Roger La Porte a week later in front of the United Nations building in New York. Now, the United States is involved in another war, and many are suffering and dying. We can ask ourselves, what kind of love and compassion causes someone to sacrifice themselves by burning, only to call attention to those suffering and dying. It is a sublime concept. It is the perfect sacrifice. It is truly a pure working. |
The Peace Project
Still in the conceptual phase, I envision a space — a sanctuary that is devoted to the recognition of our intense desire for peace. A place for meditation and for educational lectures and practices that would promote the message of compassion, empathy, and gratitude.
The space would house my collection of sculptural busts and a large 9 by 12 foot hinged and free standing painted screen. These works of art have been exhibited in three museums, and now are in need of a permanent home. I am determined to build a beautiful space of architectural merit that would accommodate visitors and protect the art in perpetuity.
The space would house my collection of sculptural busts and a large 9 by 12 foot hinged and free standing painted screen. These works of art have been exhibited in three museums, and now are in need of a permanent home. I am determined to build a beautiful space of architectural merit that would accommodate visitors and protect the art in perpetuity.
An Update on the Peace Project
Local architect Ken Haggard is designing a building to house the monks and screen. He has created a model and drawing of his vision.
We are immensely grateful and honored that Ken participated in this project. The building is sustainable and uses recycled materials. It is truly a sanctuary.
Local architect Ken Haggard is designing a building to house the monks and screen. He has created a model and drawing of his vision.
We are immensely grateful and honored that Ken participated in this project. The building is sustainable and uses recycled materials. It is truly a sanctuary.
If interested in participating in the Peace Project, please contact David.