DEVI/ a devotional ceramic Goddess sculpture

Devi

2007

by Eric Whollem
ceramic sculpture

oxides on white clay

Collection of the artist.

6 7/8"

 Photo copyright by the artist.

The Prayers of Devi

Devi means "Goddess" in Sanskrit. Both Buddhists

and Hindus use this term. Deva means "God." This

latter term was popularized a few years back at

Findhorn in Scotland, when it was applied to fairies.

Thus today one often hears references to Devas of
this or that plant.

Some conjecture that Buddhism is supposedly an

"atheistic" religion; but this is not exactly true, as

Mahayana Buddhism, especially, profers much

respect to the Goddess, typified as Prajnaparamita.

The Zen Buddhists are well known for their devotion

to Kwannon, or Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.

Tara is a very popular Goddess among the Tibetans.

Buddha once said that it is not edifying to discuss

theoretically the existance or nonexistance of God.

Unfortunately this subtle point has been interpreted

incorrectly by many, as I see it. The idea that he was

trying to advance is that work on one's own self to

eliminate psychological defects is preferable to wasting

time in fruitless debates on philosophical issues.

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Ceramic sculpture.