It is important to keep in ming that Zen paintings embody spiritually and artistically the teachings of Zen masters and in this they differ dramatically from Buddhist art in general. They ten to be free, uninhibited, humorous, and do not adhere to the usual characteristics associated with Buddhist art or with sacred art in general. Perfection, grace, and holiness are eliminated. Zen paintings do not even aspire to such ideals. They are imperfect they are worldly, and through their ordinariness they go beyond perfection and holiness. They echo the saying, "if you see the Buddha kill the Buddha." which is an other way of saying, "Don't put another head on top of the one you already have."
-The Zen Art Book (p. 7)
The paintings have no "guild lines," or at least claim not to. Of course they are guiled by "no-guild lines" but it also knows it can't be perfect.
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