Seokgi Min

Work Statement

In Buddhism, “hell” does not refer to eternal torment. Although the punishment is long and intense, it eventually comes to an end, and the suffering being can be reborn as a new entity. Buddhism teaches that heaven and hell are within the mind. As Nietzsche once said, “When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you.” However, it is possible to escape the abyss. In our everyday reality, we may face moments of hellish suffering, but I believe that there is always an end to it, and a new beginning waiting on the other side. The reason why grotesque torture scenes in Buddhist art may contain elements of kitsch is that they express the idea that even the most extreme pain can be transcended with humor. You and I both know that there is always the possibility of a fresh start.