A Note Before You Read

Warning on Offensive Graffiti

My previous Japanese article on this piece was rightly criticized with a sharp comment, "This article is in Japanese—the foreign graffiti offenders (Ban***) won't get the message!"

To address this, and to ensure the intellectual irony of this work translates within an international context, I have drafted this English version of the "Graffiti." Given my limited English skills, I humbly ask for your review.

Please, offer your most painful and unreserved critiques and proofreading on the English expressions and the clarity of the humor.

Witness how the high priests' "graffiti" is cornered not only by the modern rule (NO GRAFFITI) but also by your kind corrections—the ultimate act of intellectual graffiti.

Followings are the draft.

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The graffiti

Background

The Zen Master and His Rival: This work is a contemporary fantasy based on a famous anecdote involving the Zen master Ikkyu and his contemporary rival, the Jodo Shinshu monk Rennyo.

The following is the author's interpretation of the anecdote.

A wealthy horse owner, seeking to elevate his painting's value, asked Ikkyu to add a commentary. To his surprise, Ikkyu wrote a single line: "This is just a horse."

The owner was confronted with the core Zen teaching to abandon worldly attachment, far from the profound words of wisdom he expected.

Still attached to the painting's value, the owner asked the monk Rennyo, who was considered Ikkyu's rival, to add a counter-inscription to salvage the painting's prestige.

To his surprise, Rennyo added the gentle words: "Why not?"

This subtly implied, "Let go of your attachments and trust the Buddha." aligning with Jodo Shinshu's concept of "Other Power."

Article Topic

The Ultimate Graffiti Fantasy: The existence of the original horse painting is unknown. However, if it did exist, it would be highly valuable as a calligraphy piece by high priests.

My work is a fantasy: What if this painting existed and was graffitied by figures knowledgeable about modern culture?

Here is a summary of the original inscriptions and the added graffiti:

Figure	Inscription/Graffiti	Thought/Meaning
Ikkyu	"This is just a horse."	Zen: Freedom from attachment.
Rennyo	"Why not?"	Jodo Shinshu: Letting go and trusting the Buddha.
Nikko (Graffiti)	"You daft sod!"	Nichiren Sect: Spirit of refutation.
Ryokan (Graffiti)	"C’mon, let's play!"	Soto Zen: Innocence, non-attachment, and universal love.

Note on the Graffiti

Nikko, a key figure in the Nichiren sect, is known for embodying a militant and strict ideology, which is reflected in his harsh graffiti. It represents the founder Nichiren’s original "spirit of refutation."

Ryokan, a Soto Zen monk, was celebrated as a poet and calligrapher. He was known for his affectionate interactions with children, embodying an innocent freedom from worldly constraints.

Conclusion

If this "Graffiti" offends any religious beliefs or ethical values, the blame lies solely with the author’s lack of expressive ability.

Acknowledgments to the Tools of the Graffiti

The Tools of Graffiti I owe a great deal of assistance to my nameless AI consultant in developing the conceptual core of this work.

Furthermore, this "Graffiti" piece would not have been possible without the following generous free fonts, which embody the open-source spirit of contemporary art:

* Ruge Boogie * Great Vibes * Anton * Chewy

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Thank you for your critical review (and creative graffiti).

Fake Banksy, BANeedKSY