The Buddhist Art Exhibition 2018 organised in-conjunction with Wesak@BGF 2018. Launching Ceremony will be held on 26 May 2018 at 9.00 at BGf Shrine Hall. Open to Public.

1. Buddhist Art
Exhibition
26 to 29 May 2018
by Bhikkhu Uttamo

2. Bhikkhu Uttamo, also known as Rabindra
Dangol born on 9 March 1986. He was then
ordained at the age of 11 under Sayadaw
Jnanapurnik of World Peace Temple,
Kathmandu, Nepal. He currently resides at
Veluwan Vihar, Thecho.
Bhante obtain his Master in Buddhism from
the Lumbini Buddhist University in 2016.
He had also taught art in schools in Thecho,
Soyambhu, Patan and also worked for the
Buddhihst Musuem Project in Pokhara in 2013.
With his talent in oil painting, he had produced
numerous paintings inspired by Buddhist
themes. His earliest participation in art
exhibition was back in 2006 in the Kumari
Art Gallery. Since then, he had participated
in Art Exhibitions around Nepal and in 2013,
he participated in the Buddha & Peace Art
Exhibition organized by the Nepal Academy
of Fine Arts (NAFA). In 2015, National Art
Exhibition and last year 2017, the Indo-Nepal
Art Exhibition.
Along his journey through art, he won 1st
Position in various competitions such as
AlfrescoOpenArtin2012,OpenArtCompetition
organized by Nepal Red Cross Society and
Vishwo Shanti Vihar, New Baneshwor and
many more. Bhante is also fluent in English,
Burmese, Pali and Hindi.
Bhikkhu Uttamo

4. In this painting, a monk is
depicted from the back,
meditating in darkness and
at that moment, a solar
eclipse of the moon raises
slightly in the morning,
brightening the sky.
This is a representation of
freedom, with meditation,
it brings light to a person’s
life. The view from the back
of the monk is to depict
the concept of ‘non-self’ as
there is only ‘nama’ (mind)
and ‘rupa’ (matter).
A31
A33
Occurance of the
Moon Eclipse
How did the Buddha looked like? Historically,
there wasn’t any solid reference and imaging
closest to The Buddha. According to the
Buddhist Canon (Scriptures), The Buddha image
is imaginative.
Wby painting The Buddha in my perception
and this facial feature is adopted from the
Sakyan Clan which is towards a more realistic
representation of The Buddha. The Buddha was
from the Sakyan Clan.
The Buddha (rupa) ‘form’

5. A22
Kumari, or Kumari Devi, or Living Goddess – Nepal have a tradition of worshipping
young pre-pubescent girls as manifestations of the divine female energy or devi
in the Hindu religion. The term Kumari is derived from the Sanskrit Kaumarya,
meaning ‘princess.
In Nepal, a Kumari is a pre-pubescent girl selected from the Shakya caste or
Bajracharya clan of the Nepalese Newari community. The Kumari is revered and
worshipped. While there are several Kumaris throughout Nepal, with some cities
having several, the best known is the Royal Kumari of Kathmandu, and she lives
in the Kumari Ghar, a palace in the center of the city.
‘Kumari’ - The Living Goddess of Nepal

6. In this painting, a young monk came back
from ‘Pindacāra’ (alms-round). Since the time
The Buddha, monks goes on alms-round for
their meals. This tradition is being practiced till
moderntime,today.InmostBuddhistcountries
such as Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and
Cambodia, monks goes on alms-round every
morning.
A young monk aged 10 – 12 years old is seen
carrying a bowl (patta) after a ‘Pindacāra’ in a
nearby village. His facial expression depicts
innocence, peace and compassion. These are
the foundation of practice for monastics and
this is an important practice in Buddhism.
Pindacāra,
Going on Alms-round
This painting represents the
journey of a monastic who walks
the path to Enlightenment.
The bright moon in the dark
sky represents tranquility. The
Buddha is a reminder to us that
as when we follow the path with
meditation, we shall gain inner
peace.
Inthispresentworld,meditation
is the way to cessation of
suffering and sharpening of our
mind. This painting reminds us
to cultivate ourselves and walk
the Noble Eightfold Path.
Walking the
path of Buddha
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A12

7. The Buddhist Art Exhibition in-conjunction with Wesak@BGF2018 is to create awareness
and appreciation towards Buddhist Art especially oil painting on canvas. We are indeed
glad to have Bhikkhu Uttamo who is talented in painting to showcase some of his artwork.
Some of his artwork are on sale and proceeds from this will be used to support his efforts
in the Nepal Earthquake Restoration Projects being carried out by himself and fellow
Buddhist in Nepal. These efforts reach deep into villages which are badly affected. We also
welcome donations towards this cause.
As Bhante is committed in raising funds through his talent, you may contact him directly
at arviuttam@gmail.com for more information. We would also like to thank Bhikkhu
Uttamo, Ramesh Limbu (who is also an artist and his art was also exhibited), the working
committees, generous donors, and volunteers in making this a success.
Boudha स्तुप (Nepali: बौद्ध स्तुप, also known the Khāsa Newari Chaitya. Khāsti,
is a stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Buddhist stupa of Boudha Stupa dominates
the skyline; it is one of the largest stupas in the world. In 1979, Boudha Stupa was
listed in the World Heritage List. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in
Kathmandu. The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the
Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast.
Word of Appreciation and Gratitude
‘khasti Maha Chaitya’ (Bauddha Stupa)
A05

8. A04
This painting is a symbolic
art, representing the monk
having ‘travelled’ the journey
of the Four Noble Truths to
the attainment of Nibbana
(end of suffering). The doves
represents peace in the
limitless sky searching for
liberation. This depicts the
monk having attained the
highest stage of Nibbana. Like
us too, we shall one day attain
Nibbana.
‘Freedom’
from Samsara