An introduction to religious and spiritual experience

Paintings of Ken Butler-Evans
A most unusual incidence of an artist being in touch with another level 
of existence is that of Kenneth Butler-Evans (1924–1987). A self –taught 
artist, he became well-known as a cartoonist and illustrator. He began to 
paint in egg emulsion and during his lifetime he produced paintings which 
he ‘saw’ and then did his best to recreate. He did not discuss their mean-
ing, wanting them to speak for themselves. After his sudden death, his 
widow was frequently woken in the early hours and seemed to be given 
the meaning behind the paintings. She was convinced that Ken was explain-
ing the paintings to her, and she kept notes. The paintings and what Ann 
received, have been compiled in 
An Artist’s Life After Death.
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The World’s Largest Book: Kuthodaw Pagoda
An unusual manifestation of the inspiration of religion in art is the 
world’s largest book. In Mandalay in Myanmar (Burma) is the Kuthodaw 
Pagoda, which houses 729 white Sagyin marble slabs, on which the 
Tipitaka 
or the Three Baskets of the Buddhist Pali canon is carved. Each 

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Fruits of Spiritual Experience
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slab, 5ft by 3.5ft, is housed in its own beautifully carved, marble shrine. 
The carving took eight years to complete. This was completed under the 
auspices of King Mindon (1852–1878), who was inspired by a tradition, 
according to which the Buddha once went to Mandalay Hill and prophe-
sied that in the 2400th year of his religion, a royal city would be estab-
lished there and a king would rule who would promote his religion. 
Indeed, King Mindon established the Royal City in1859 and also the most 
permanent of all presentations of the Buddha’s teachings, the Dharma.
Charities
Many charitable organizations owe their foundation to spiritual experi-
ences and often continue through the support of volunteers similarly 
inspired.