The term “Kasaya” originates from the ochre or saffron-colored robes worn by Buddhist monks, symbolizing detachment, spirituality, and renunciation. This association with simplicity, spirituality, and profound meaning could inspire art movements or styles that emphasize:
Minimalism and Simplicity: Art that embodies simplicity, purity, and the spiritual essence often associated with the robes of monks.
Spiritual or Meditative Themes: Artworks inspired by Buddhist teachings or meditative practices, focusing on mindfulness, impermanence, and detachment.
Symbolic Use of Color: The specific shades of saffron, ochre, and earthy tones used to evoke calmness, introspection, and spiritual awareness.
Could Kandinsky be considered Kasaya Art?
From reality to abstraction — full spectrum thought forms.
So where does Kasaya Art come in with the full spectrum of possible forms in Art:
Kasaya originates from the Buddhist tradition, referring to the robes worn by monks and nuns. These robes are traditionally made from discarded pieces of cloth stitched together, dyed in earthy hues like saffron, ochre, or brown. The patchwork nature of the robes symbolizes simplicity, detachment, and renunciation, reflecting the Buddhist ideals of humility and non-attachment to material possessions. The word itself is derived from Sanskrit, where “Kasaya” means “impure” or “soiled,” signifying the rejection of luxury and worldly desires. In Buddhist philosophy, the Kasaya robe serves as both a practical garment and a profound metaphor for the unity of fragmented elements, symbolizing the path toward spiritual wholeness. This foundational idea of stitching together disparate parts to create a harmonious whole serves as a powerful inspiration for broader interpretations in art and philosophy.
It is traditionally believed that Ananda, one of Buddha’s closest disciples, played an important role in preparing the Buddha’s Kasaya robes. According to Buddhist texts, Ananda was known for his devotion and attention to the Buddha’s needs. The act of stitching the Kasaya was not merely practical but deeply symbolic, embodying mindfulness and reverence. It is said that the robes were often modelled after the structure of rice fields, symbolizing interconnectedness and sustenance. The process of creating the Kasaya — collecting discarded cloth, dyeing it, and stitching it together — reflected the core Buddhist principles of simplicity, humility, and non-attachment. This intimate and meditative act of crafting the robes became a sacred ritual, with each stitch representing a step toward spiritual wholeness. The association of Ananda with this task highlights his pivotal role in preserving and embodying the teachings of the Buddha.
But then, are we just chasing our brain and mind forms when we create art?
In brain and mind — from reality to abstraction with increasingly more possibilities and probabilities as randomness and entropy increase in brain and mind as it gets away from memory.
One can almost trace the mind to its origins at its source, where the quantum space meets spacetime, and its boundary conditions being the source of creation itself:
Boundary Condition thinking in the “now” present moment in you, at about 8 to 12 Hz brain operating frequency when the Alpha brain waves dominate the brain:
Abstraction opens up infinite possibilities for interpretation, allowing the viewer to step beyond memory and predefined narratives. This aligns with the concept of the brain-mind expanding beyond memory into probabilities, linked to Kasaya.
