The Phf,losophicaX. Research Soeietyo Xnc.

3910 Los Feliz Blod. - Los Angeles, Calil. 90027 - 663-2167

MANLY P. HALL @ HENRY L, DR^AKE

P¡csident - Founder Vice-President

CONTRIBUTORS' BULLETIN - JUNE I973

Dear Friends:

NE and perceptive of the writers of 0riental

of the most interesting
arts ïvas Professor Masahaiu Anesakl, who was an instructor in the
Imperial University of Tokyo and sometinn professor at Harvard Univer-
sity. In l9l5 he Þublished a book entitled Budåhiet Art ín Tte ReLa'
tion to Buååhiet Ideas with the cooperation of the Boston Museum of
Art. It is especially interesting that Professor Anesaki dedicated
this volume to'St. Frãncis of Assisi, whom he obviously held in the
hÍghest esteem. In the preface to his-book, Professor Anesaki stated
that he had made úo-trips to ltaly and becane deepty involv_ed in the productlons of t
the quattrocento , the artistic and- literary masters of the fifteenth century.
Through the study of the ltalian painters wÍtþ_their extremely sensitive present*tions
oi sãéie¿ subjàcis and their exträordinary skill in conposition and color, Professor
Ánesakl was sironsly reminded of the religious paintings and sculpturings of-hÍ.s own
couñiry. He founã io many parallels, especiatly in thè motivatÍon, between Buddhist
and Christian art that he began to consider art and religion-Ë the tro [Link] powq!ful
Ínstruments in the unfol¿ment ànd enrichment of the psychic life of man. He realized
that the beauties-oi scriptural texts were revelatioirs- of art in words ptrovidilS !!Ç
inipirãltõñ-iór-érãptrið rãpieientation. Thus, relìgion ennobled art and. [Link]
retigion. This óartnershiþ was satisfying to the iñternal life of man' helping him to
mainlain a simplä devotionàt attitude to God and his fellowmen.
Having reoriented himself in Buddhist art, [Link] productions of the Esoteric
sects and the zeñ icrrõõt, piofãssor Anesakt aþproacträd Eastern rnystical symbollsm much
iñ ite-ipirii ói ttre ¿evóut St. Francls. He ùâs searching f9" q [Link] natural
elevatloir of consðióuiñesi and soon realized that the content of Buddhist art was in
ño-wài Ãisãntiã|it ãiiïerénl iróm ttrat which attracted him to medieval and-earlv-
moderîr Christian óaintiñgs. Xe was no longer primarily interested in the literal
subject matter,'b|¡ rãipon¿ed to a radiãnt ätmosptreie [Link] which, seemed to
ñ
ãñväiópe iñã-piclür.j. iñis coul¿ onty res-ult from'the artist considerÍng his paint-
ings tô be votive works--a personal form of worship.
Professor Anesaki began to see and experience the inner peace that comes from the
acceptance of beauty as a religious duty and necessity. As a result, his book is
unique among works devoted to the general theme. He has sought constantly for content,
 CONTRIBUTORSI BULLETIN - JUNE I973
Page 2

concerned more with the cuttivation of an inner stillness within himself by which he
accepted the meanlng without intellectual interferences.
The Buddhist universe was very different in meaning from the early Christian concept
it
of the world. The two beliefs could not be reconciled astrono¡nically' but has
become increasìngly obvious that they were not intended to be accepted [Link]..
The problem was to- find forms by which the moral forces of existence could be pictured.
fhe âlchemy of human emotions suggested certain designs, pattern¡'_ and even geometrical
-t{hen
diagrams. the Ínner of man determines to express itself outvrardly'.ar! comes
life
intõ existence. Eastern and Western viewpoints have distlnctly different emphasis'.
but both arise from observations and reflections based upon human experience. In the
Orient, experience is the most important reason for mants existence. The successful
life ii thä one which has enriched itself through thoughtful meditatlon upon thÍngs
seen and done. The world is a school, and those who graduate from the mortal sphere
enter into higher realms of education. All education is under discipline-which in turn
is sustained 6y an inspiring pattern of convictions. Art makes the invisible real and
also moves the- thoughtîul person to a klnd of reminiscence in which he rennmbers his
relationship with the divine and natural universe.
Professor Anesaki considered art not as a substitute for discipline but a subtle force
which makes setf-discipline simple and obviously valuable. Most Oriental paintings
dealing with Buddhism äre to a ineasure meditation pictures, suggesting the true hu-
manity of man and revealing to each person his otln argletypal self. As-he gazes upon
thls iublime imagery arranged in his temple, the Buddhist is no longer in-the presence
\ of the remote anð the unoblainable. He is close to cormunion with ideal imagery and
n finds that spiritual peace is available to him here and now. Such was the faith of
Ilj St. Francisr'who accoinptished a magnificent reintegration of his ovln character by
IG' holding fÍnirly to his i"eatlzation ót tne i¡rmediate presence of God. Professor Anesaki
-Buddhists
knew tñat to the divine pot{er is in the heart of all things. -It is not
separate, above, or outside, but fòrever and eternally-within. True enlightenrent
muit theiefore b,e the revelátion of the unÍversal reality through symbols arising in
the deepest parts of human nature. Sacred art has a refini!g [Link] bestows
a blessing uþon the heart and mind. In gentle acceptance_of this blessing' the
mental anã einotional pressures subside and in the peace of beauty the inner mystlfY
is released, not as a doctrine but as a splendid union with the inevitable. In his
preface to áuddhist Art in fæ Relation to Buddhist rdeasr. Professor Anesaki explained
his reason for dedicating his book to St. Francis, sincerely hoping that his Catholic
friend would not misundeñstand hís motives. Those who read his inspiring work will

Some
s
recognize that it is a bridge of living idealism uniting East and West.

years ago we secured from Hong Kong a small ornamental carving representing
Eorizon, the-blessed land of tJre TaoÍst saints. It is nearly always a charming repre-
sentatlôn of a mountainous region with great cliffs rising into a clear blue sky.
Below, the scene opens into a-pleasant glen with treefr a little stream, sometirnes a
bridge, and usualty a tenrple and the hermitage of a holy man.
A ferv days ago I was fortunate in securing an unusually fine example. of. the Horizon
ornament-. I-have shown it to several friénds who are âcquainted with this type of
art, and they all consider it exceptional, so we reproduce it herewith. The carvÍng
is óf soapstõne, about five and onâ-half inches high and seven inches wide, and is
probably ?rom fifty to one hundred years old. In these times when most folks are
ieeking a private 3hangri-ta, peaceful scenes are especially inspiling.. Several of
ny friends'have retired from city life but so far as I can learn they have not managed
CONTRIBUTORS' BULLETIN - JUNT I973
Page 3

to find a paradise even remotely

::f!ì :$$*aiÍìT
resembling the little soapstone carv-
'1,:ì'r '
:'!"Ì ing. Perhaps this is the reason why
the Chlnese especÍally enioy a minia-
ture ornannnt of this kind. Such a
carving enables you to sit back in
your comfortable chair and bring the
realms of the irmortals into your own
home. I remember that when I was in
I'lukden so many years ago, I visited
in the home of a cultured Chinese
famíly. As is usually the case, the
house was squeezed in between other
buildings, and there was nothing to
recormend the view from any part of
the house. The ingenious proprietor
of the establishment had made four
false windows, and in each of these
he had set up an exquisite landscape.
Each of the scenes tvas about four feet
Mtail fnom a Soapstone Cazttíng wide, two feet deep, and three feet
of the Region of the Blessed high.
The miniature obiects had been
so perfect ly carved that there was
nothing to disturb the feel ing that
you were I ooking out over a great
distance. These charming scenic effects could not be damage d by industrial installa-
tions or neighbors who neglected their property t'{e may all conrc sometime to the need
to create an atmosphere that gives mean ing and charm to irmediate surroundings.
Speaking of scenery,many of our friends will
soon be on vacation. When we realize that
a rest álso includes some type of self-improvement, why not spend this holiday in some
area where unusual and interesting things are happening. There are many parts of this
country rich in historical and artistic
value which can give us nerv insight [Link] the
intereits and activities which make up our !{ay of life.
l,le wish for each and of you all
a pleasant interlude from the pressures of daily líving.
Always most sincerely,
 CONTRIBUTORS' BULLTTIN . JUNE I973
Page 4

SPECIAL NOTICE FROM OUR BOOK DEPARTMENT

A number of important and scholarly volumes in our fields of interest are now availaùte
in attractive ànd accurate reprints. Most of those listed here are included in Mr.
Hall's list of recormended reading and have long been rare and out of print. To these
have been added selected works by-outstandfng modern authors. The Contributors' Bulle-
tin will list additional works ln future issues. These books may be ordered dÍrectly
from The Phllosophical Research Society, Inc. (address on page one). _Please add 25d
for handling on òrders of less than $5.00, and sa'les tax is to be included by California
residents. Note: Prices are subiect to change without notice.
Ti tle Author Pri ce

Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilizatlon Heinrick Zirmer (P) $ 2 .95
The Mystic Vision (Eranos #6) 7 .50
Mythology of the SouI H.G. Baynes I 0 .00
The Meaning of Personal Existence Arthur tl. Osborn (P) I .75
Wsticism East and l{est Rudolf 0tto (P) 2 .45
Man Visible and Invisible [Link]. Leadbeater (P) 3 .25
Meister Eckhart Blakney (Transl. ) (P) 2 .95
Medical Astrology Omar Garrison 7 .95
Modern Mystics F. Younghusband 7 .95
The Modern Textbobk of Astrology Marqaret Hone 6 .50
The Mysteries of Mithra Frañz Cr,rnont (P) 2 .50
The Mysteries of Easter Island Francis Maziere 6 .95
The Mirror of Life and Death Laurence Bendit (P) I .35
A Manual of Graphology Eric Singer 6 .00
F Mars, The [,lar Lord Alan Leo 2 .00
The Manifold and The One Agnes Arber (P) I .45
The Mystery Teachings and Christianity Gerald Tranter (P) I .75
Major Religions of the l{orld Marcus Bach (P) t .25
Man and the l,lorld of Stars Rudolf Steiner 6 .95
t'tystic Masonry and the Bible
The Androgynous Man Corinne Hetine (P) 3.50
Myths to Live by Joseph Campbell 6.95
Miracles, A Preliminary Study C.S. tewis (P) 1.25
The Magic of Camellias Sparnon & Waterhouse I 3.50
Mudra Dale Saunders I 50
Natural Meditat{,on Phitipp Dessauer 3 50
New Knovledge in Human Value A. Maslow 7 00
Net of Fire Flies Stenvart 5 a 50
The New l{aite's Compendium of Natal Astrology C. Evans 6 00
Nymphs of the Valley K. Gibran 4 a 50
Nostradamus, 0racles of llard 2 o 45
The Nature of Man According to the Vedanta John Levy 3 00
Numerology, The MagÍc of Numbers Sybit Leek (P) 5 .95
Netsuke, Miniature lvory Sculptures Jonas 6 a 50

9' B00KS ßY tl ilLY P, HALL .â

Americars Assignrpnt with Destiny - $4.50 t{ords to the ttise - $5,00
Astrological Ke¡vods - $5.00 Twelve ttorld Teachers - $5.00
Dionysian Artificers - $3.50 Secret Destiny of A¡nerica - $5.00
The Guru - $4.50 The Most Holy Trinosophia - $7.50