Art Minded

The first episode in this meditation series focuses on a 12th-century Japanese sculpture of the Amida Buddha in the Sam and Myrna Myers Collection. The Buddha, cast in bronze and slightly smaller than life-size, is seated in meditation. Amida Buddha, in the Japanese esoteric Buddhist tradition, is the “Buddha of the Western Paradise”; his followers believe that they can enter into this paradise by chanting Amida’s name and meditating upon the Buddha. Throughout the guided meditation, listeners will focus on gradually and methodically relaxing the body, controlling their breathing and using the inward senses to study the Buddha and visualize an interaction with him. The recordings are meant to be enjoyed anywhere—in the comfort of the listener’s home or in the exhibition itself. Downloadable MP3 files are available on the Kimbell’s website, kimbellart.org.