"I BOW TO YOU"
2007 Traveling Exhibition of Buddhist Sculptures by Thomas Matsuda

DHARMA RAIN ZEN CENTER August 8-9, 2007
Office: 2539 SE Madison, Zendo: 2514 SE Madison Portland, OR
August 8 Wednesday10AM-4PM Exhibit
7-9PM Zazen, Talk and demonstration
August 9 Thursday 10AM-4PM Exhibit
7:30-10PM Zazen, Talk and demonstration, Zen Community of Oregon

GREAT VOW MONASTERY August 10-12, 2007
PO BOX 368 Clatskanie, OR 97016
August 10 Friday 5PM ‘Creating Jizos in Clay’ Workshop registration,
welcoming of guests
6PM Light Supper
7PM Tour of monastery
7:30-9:30PM Slide presentation of contemporary work and talk
August 11 Saturday 9AM-12PM Buddhist sculpture carving demonstration and talk
2-5PM Sculpting Jizos in self-hardening clay
August 12 Sunday Finish workshop.
10AM Public program with open hours for sculpture viewing after lunch

Participating temples and galleries are pleased to announce "I Bow to You", 2007 Traveling Exhibition of Buddhist Sculptures by Thomas Matsuda. The exhibit will feature the recent Buddhist sculptures of Thomas Matsuda. Receiving his basic training in the arts at Pratt Institute, where he now teaches, his aesthetic sensitivity has been shaped by American artistic beliefs and attitudes. But he has lived in Japan for twelve years as an adult, first studying under the renowned sculptor, Koukei Eri of Kyoto, who specializes in Buddha images, later spending most of his time in remote mountain villages in the tradition of Enku and Mokujiki, both well known sculptors who carved Buddha figures for the populace. Also, having worked closely with Native American spirituality, he identifies with their respect for mother earth and all living beings equally.  

While this rich background comes together in various, positive ways, Matsuda is also his own person and brings his own vision to his works. His Buddhas and bodhisattvas are neither Japanese nor American; rather, they are creations of an artist who brings something new and universal to our fragmented world. They reflect what his teacher Eri said of old sculptures that contain “a mysterious strength that has the power to penetrate our spirits.” Among people who saw his works displayed at the Hillyer Gallery at Smith College in October 1998, one praised his sculptures, saying that “There is stillness and transcendence conveyed through these forms. They draw me into the flow of shapes, form and meaning.” Tom Matsuda is quickly becoming one of the foremost Buddhist sculptors in North America.

Full Schedule: July 7th - August 12, 2007
July 6-11 Los Angeles Zen Center
July 13-17 West LA Buddhist Temple
July 20-22 Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
July 24-31 Dentoh Gallery
August 2-5 San Francisco Zen Center
August 8-9 Dharma Rain, Portland, OR
August 10-12 Great Vow Monastery, Clatskanie, OR

For more information, For more information contact:
Dharma Rain Zen Center: (503) 239-4846
Great Vow Monastery: (503) 728-0654

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