But it’s symbolism refers to the “beginning, the middle and end” of all things, the circle of life, and the interconnectedness of all existence. Some call ensō “The Circle of Enlightenment.” Others call it the “Infinity Circle.” The meanings of the two kanji that make up the word “ensō” can be read as “Mutual Circle” or “Circle of Togetherness.” Perhaps ensō can simply mean different things to different people.Īt first glance, this symbol appears to be nothing more than a circle. It is believed that true creativity can arise while the person who draws it manifests the state of total presence.Ĭreating the zen circle is often done standing, so the brush stroke is the expression of the complexity of the body-mind. A state of no-mind is where a person is free from thoughts and emotions while being completely present in the now. It embodies one of the defining aspects of Zen Buddhism, the no-mind concept. The ensō is often referred to as “ The Zen Circle“. Zen Buddhists believe that only a person who is mentally and spiritually complete can draw a true ensō. It is said that the hands of a Zen master release the power of the ensō, and by this the master is helping those who meditate upon it to reach a higher level of consciousness – Zen masters often paint an ensō for their students, to meditate upon, and it is said that the quality of the brushwork reveals the depth of the master’s enlightenment. The space within that circle is the emptiness, or the void, the understanding of which lies at the heart of Zen, and the experience of which is the goal of meditation. There is a beginning to life (where the brush first touches the paper) and an end (where the brush leaves the paper), but this beginning and end continue one after the other, thereby signifying the wheel of birth, death and rebirth. Typically, the circle is said to represent the material world that continues endlessly without cessation. The ensō is a simple circle usually painted in black ink on a white paper. The Japanese practice of drawing the ensō requires that you allow your body to create freely and then observe the result without feeling the urge to modify your actions. According to Buddhist tradition, one should draw the ensō in a single, swift stroke, and is not possible to go back and change the drawing. This symbol is also used to indicate an instance in which “the mind is free to let the body create”. The open circle is a concept that reflects closely the teaching of the Japanese Zen Buddhism – ensō is an emblem of Zen Buddhism – and it represents and suggests cutting the desire for perfection and allowing the universe to be as it is. The opening of the circle has many interpretations. The closed circle represents the totality of experience and life. The ensō can be drawn in two styles: a complete circle or one with a small opening. The appearance of the circle will be determined by the artist’s personal style, feeling, mood, etc. Ensō is a common subject of Japanese calligraphy, even though it is a symbol and not a kanji character.Īn ensō should present the following characteristics: Fukinsei (asymmetry, irregularity), kanso (simplicity), shizen (without pretense natural) and datsuzoku (freedom).Īlthough simple in form, a perfect circle is notoriously difficult to draw, and some artists will spend long practice drawing an ensō. The term refers to a hand-drawn circle, produced by a single, continuous brushstroke. Ensō is a Japanese word meaning “circle”.
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