5' - 0” (life-size), 9’ - 0” including bow
2001, series of 8
arrowsmith woman
© 2017 nistal prem de boer
Saraha, only a few generations after Buddha is said to be
the founder of Tantra. In some way however he was not:
Saraha was a learned Brahmin. High nobility, the King
wanted him as his son-in-law. However, he left for a
Buddhist monastery, where soon he became famous as a
meditator: A man of silence and wisdom But then one
day he left and found his true Master.
He met her in the marketplace, an ordinary woman, The
Arrowsmith Woman.
She saw him carrying scrolls and books and she laughed.
She closed one eye and looked along the arrow she just
finished. So total, so vital, so absorbed. It is said, that
Saraha dropped his scrolls. In a flash, he understood what
the Buddha means: Being in the middle - left and right not
existing - And how totality leaves no trace.
A clean slate, no Karma.
He fell on his knees to this beautiful young woman.
Together they lived a life of celebration
equality of women and men. By and by the whole
country joined them In their bliss and celebration and
peace. Finally even the King left his palace to join them
My bronze Arrowsmith woman has a traditional Zen Kyodo
bow. Asami Nishimura from Hiroshima has been the
model. She trained with the bow and has been a great
inspiration. This sculpture is dedicated to Asami.