House on Fire: Two Squirrels
Artist
Kim Russo
(American, born 1963)
Date2007
Mediumgraphite on paper
DimensionsSupport: 49 x 65 1/2 in. (124.5 x 166.4 cm)
ClassificationsDrawing
Credit LineGift of Kim Russo, 2008
Object number2008.22
DescriptionIn the foreground two squirrels eat a large layered cake sitting on a picnic table; in the background a house is on fire.eMuseum Notes
The Parable of the Burning House appears in Chapter 3 (the Hiyu Chapter) of the Lotus Sutra. In this parable a scenario is presented where children are in great danger in a house on fire:
"One day, a fire broke out in the house of a wealthy man who had many children.
The wealthy man shouted at his children inside the burning house to flee. But, the
children were absorbed in their games and did not heed his warning, though the house was being consumed by flames."
"Then, the wealthy man devised a practical way to lure the children from the burning
house. Knowing that the children were fond of interesting playthings, he called out to them, 'Listen! Outside the gate are the carts that you have always wanted: carts pulled by goats, carts pulled by deer, and carts pulled by oxen. Why don't you come out and play with them?' The wealthy man knew that these things would be irresistible to his children."
"The children, eager to play with these new toys rushed out of the house but, instead of the carts that he had promised, the father gave them a cart much better than any he has described - a cart draped with precious stones and pulled by white bulls. The important thing being that the children were saved from the dangers of the house on fire."
"One day, a fire broke out in the house of a wealthy man who had many children.
The wealthy man shouted at his children inside the burning house to flee. But, the
children were absorbed in their games and did not heed his warning, though the house was being consumed by flames."
"Then, the wealthy man devised a practical way to lure the children from the burning
house. Knowing that the children were fond of interesting playthings, he called out to them, 'Listen! Outside the gate are the carts that you have always wanted: carts pulled by goats, carts pulled by deer, and carts pulled by oxen. Why don't you come out and play with them?' The wealthy man knew that these things would be irresistible to his children."
"The children, eager to play with these new toys rushed out of the house but, instead of the carts that he had promised, the father gave them a cart much better than any he has described - a cart draped with precious stones and pulled by white bulls. The important thing being that the children were saved from the dangers of the house on fire."
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