| There is a renewed interest in Buddha Board lately. So, | | | | Chan in Chinese. Chan is derived from the Sanskrit |
| what is Buddha Board? It is also called an aquadoodle. | | | | Dhyana which means meditation. |
| It is simply a special canvas board using marker filled | | | | Looking at the function of Buddha Board that |
| with water. Using the water marker, you can draw | | | | encourages living in the present, it is very similar to the |
| whatever you like on the special canvas. The drawing | | | | practice of meditation that also cultivates the mind with |
| will appear but fade and go away slowly leaving you | | | | continuous awareness. Zen's emphasis is on |
| with a blank canvas again. | | | | experiential wisdom. It means we have to experience |
| The concept is very useful and practical both for | | | | the wisdom and awakening, rather than relying on |
| children and adult. The children love to play with the | | | | theoretical knowledge and study of religious texts |
| board as it is easy to draw with water marker and the | | | | alone. |
| canvas will self-clean. For parents, there is no worry of | | | | Most of the awakenings in Zen Buddhism happened |
| cleaning up and it is very eco-friendly. | | | | with unpredicted twists. The enlightenment of the Zen |
| For adult, the Buddha Board can be used as an | | | | followers happen in very simple, mundane settings and |
| expression of art that will disappear momentarily. It is all | | | | sometimes only realized long after the events have |
| about living in the moment. We have to live in the | | | | passed. It is interesting to pay attention that it can |
| NOW. It is effortless for children, but as an adult we | | | | happen to anyone anytime. We just need to let your |
| need to practice and train the NOW habit. | | | | mind be ready and not have any prejudice thoughts. |
| Life is stressful for many people. We think about the | | | | The same thing is also applicable when you are |
| uncertain futures. We worry about what is coming | | | | drawing with Buddha Board. Let your mind play along |
| along. We also regret of what happened in the past, | | | | on the canvas. The realization may just appear and |
| both the near past and the far past. Letting go the | | | | happen unnoticed. |
| mind from the past and future and keep reminding | | | | I don't claim that playing with Buddha Board alone can |
| ourselves to live in present and focus on now is a | | | | lead to enlightenment. However, Buddha Board can be |
| good idea. | | | | a good starting point for people who would like to start |
| From the Buddha Board, interested people can explore | | | | meditation or cultivating the mind with conscious |
| further the concept of Buddhism. In actual fact, the | | | | awareness by watching the ever changing thoughts in |
| Buddha Board was developed from Zen Buddhism. | | | | the our mind. |
| Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism. It is also called | | | | May all sentient beings be happy. |