Skillful Means and Reverse Graffiti

Pollution has left its mark in every city in the world. We may not see it, but it’s there. For example the tunnel you may drive through on your way to work may appear to have gray walls. But they’re actually white underneath the grime.

I love the idea of creating works of art by removing. Not sculpture so much, tho it is included, but drawing by erasing, making crop circles (without destroying another’s property), painting by wiping (at least in watercolor) and such.

Would it not be called skillful means if one man were able to create works of art by REMOVING some dirt from a wall? And would it not then be skillful means if this artwork stimulated others to then clean the ENTIRE tunne mentioned above?. By extension, how much of a city could be cleaned up by using this method?

Well I’m not going to argue about it. Perhaps my understanding of “skillful means” is lacking, but if you don’t consider this anything but cool and positive then, well, you….well. It just is.

Look at all the works of Reverse Graffiti, but especially Alexandre Orion’s. Please read Alexandre’s story as well as the others.

From Digg

The Three Marks of Dharma

From Maria Kannon Zen Center – Chants

The Three Marks of Dharma

All compounded things are impermanent:
When one sees this with discernment,
One is freed from dissatisfaction.
This is the path to purity.

All compounded things are stressful:
When one sees this with discernment,
One is freed from dissatisfaction
This is the path to purity.

All phenomena are self-less:
When one sees this with discernment,
One is freed from dissatisfaction.
This is the path to purity.

Few are the human beings who go to the Further Shore,
These others simply scurry around on this shore.
But those who practice the Dhamma
In line with the well-taught Dhamma,
They will cross over Death’s realm, so hard to transcend.
Abandoning dark practices,
The wise person develops the bright,
Having gone from home to no-home
In Seclusion, so hard to relish.
There one aspires for delight,
Discarding sensuality—one who has nothing
Cleanses oneself, the wise one, of mental defilement.
Those whose minds are well-developed
In the factors of Awakening,
Who delight in non-clinging,
Relinquishing grasping, Glorious, free of defilement:
They are unbound in the world.
Impermanent are compounded things. (Anicca vata sankhara)
Their nature is to arise and pass away. (Uppada-vaya-dhammino) They disband as they are arising. (Uppajjitva nirujjhanti)
Their total stilling is bliss. (Tesam vupasamo sukho)

Universal Dedication

All Buddhas throughout space and time
All Honored Ones, Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas, Wisdom beyond Wisdom.
Maha Prajna Paramita.