Hindu and Buddhist cultures are both rich in religion and expressing their faith through art. The Buddhist culture was formed by Buddha who went out to discover the causes of pain and suffering. Once Buddha realized what the cause was, he provided a set of four guiding principles know as the “Four Noble Truths” that are exercised in Buddhism (Kleiner, p. 13). The Four Noble truths are “Life is suffering, the cause of suffering is desire, one can overcome and extinguish desire, the way to conquer desire and end suffering is to follow Buddha’s Eightfold Path…” (p. 13). These truths are expressed in the following of Buddhism and commonly carried out through art. Buddhism is practiced throughout Southeast Asia and southern India where there is a strong presence of Buddhist artwork. This includes art in the form of statues, temples, paintings, and architecture. The two dominant forms or art are the stupas and the chaitya halls that often house the stupas.
The Stupa is a round burial mound that is essential to the Buddhist religion. The stupa itself is not a tomb for the dead, but a housing of Buddha. These means of burial came into existence when Buddha died and was cremated. His remains were then dispusred throughout the burial housing that solid and round. These stupas could not be entered. Stupas can come in many different sizes. There are handheld stupas, and there are giant structure stupas that represent a map of the universe. The most famous of the giant stupas is the Great Stupa of Sanchi. There are different parts of the structural stupas that represent different points in Buddhism. The main parts of the stopas are: the domes shape itself, toranas, the harmika, the yasti, the three chatras, and a stone fenc...
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...o Vishvanatha because as you progress towards the main tower, there are a series of towers that ascend in size. With Vishnu being the “Preserver of the Universe,” the five main towers at Angor Wat represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, which is the mountain at the center of the universe. When Suryavarman II died it is believed the temple absorbed him so he is worshiped as a god. Images and sculptures of Suryavarman II and Vishnu are represented throughout the galleries of the tall towers of Angor Wat.
Temples and structures represent religious ideals through the elaborate architecture. Hinduism and Buddhism share similarities because of the depiction of gods in art forms. The buildings of temples are important elements in expressing faiths in the deities because of the preservation and worshipping that takes place in them.
The central scene on the funerary stela Ta-Khaa-En-Bastet is illustrated twice standing behind the god Horus, who is on the lef...
Hinduism and Buddhism have different similarities and are in some ways connected to each other. Some of the practices of the two religions are similar in various ways and there are several examples to show this.
Many religions often embrace art as a way to explain their beliefs, and encourage devotion. This is true in Buddhism, and works depicting the Buddha and scenes from his life are a common fixture in the art of many Asian countries. In several pieces at the Worcester Art Museum, especially Buddha Summoning the Earth as Witness, different scenes of the Buddha’s life are depicted show using a rich iconography that illustrates the Buddha’s enlightenment and other traits. The Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, teachings, and eventual entrance into Nirvana are all common scenes in art. At the Worcester Art Museum, many ideas about Buddhism can be learned by examining the life of the Buddha as detailed in Buddha Summoning the Earth as Witness and other
Hinduism and Buddhism are undoubtedly different than any other religion that we have studied. Some might even dispute whether or not they are a religion, or rather a way of life or philosophy. I will use the Merriam Webster definitions of religion to depict whether or not Hinduism and Buddhism should be understood as a religion. The There is one commonality between Buddhism and Hinduism is not a central feature of the other major religions: Reincarnation.
Compare And Analysis The Japanese Buddhism And Indo Buddhism Buddhism is a religion and philosophy founded by Siddhartha Gautama in northeast India during the period from the late 6th century to the early 4th century BC. Spreading from India to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan, Buddhism has played an influential role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of much of the Eastern world. It is the prevailing religious force in most of Asia (India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Tibet). ‘Buddhism’ is reformulated and re-expressed in different cultures and at different times, adopting and redefining aspects of the cultures in which it has taken root. Today, there are about 300 million followers. (Yamplosky) The Indian religion Buddhism, founded in the sixth century BC, is one of the common features of Asian civilization, and Buddhist institutions and believers are found all over East, South, and Southeast Asia. While Buddhism is now just a minority belief in the country of it’s founding, it remains a significant religious and cultural force in Japan today. Buddhism started in India and made its way to China and Korea. From there, it ended up in Japan. Buddhism went through several different periods before it became Japan's national religion. In indo Buddhism, the temple is the main sanctuary, in which services, both public and private, are performed but Japanese Buddhism is mainly hub of individual activities and services. Similarly to Japanese Buddhism, in Indo Buddhism the monastery is a complex of buildings, located usually in a spot chosen for its beauty and seclusion. Its function is to house the activities of the monks. Images are important features of temples, monasteries, and shrines in both Indo a...
The earliest sacred space was the stupa. When the Buddha was cremated, his ashes were placed under a mound at a crossroads and when it was removed, it was divided among a variety of Buddhist groups. Hardy states that different sources, say different numbers. Some say 8, some say 11, and others say it was 12 Buddhist groups. Each group is said to have enshrined their part of the Buddhas cremated body in a stupa. Legend says that king Ashoka divided the Buddha’s divided cremated body and distributed it to 84,000 stupas throughout his realm. Monuments were built to mark the Buddhas important moments. Some of the examples of the important moments of the Buddha are where the Buddha was born or where he gave his first sermon. Ashoka than started the ritual of making pilgrimage to these places. As time passed, large temples were built around the stupas. After some time, stupas were also being built to house the cremated or mummified body of a famous monk who died during deep meditation. What was built around the stupas are stone railings with carvings. The carvings tell the life of the Buddha and the Jataka Tales. When people walk around the railings, they are recreating the experiences of the events and make them feel like they are actually there. The Buddha is kept alive through these carvings and sacred places. Hardy also states that another form of sacred space is the mountain. She writes that there are legendary
Buddhism is currently the fourth most popular religion in our society today, following Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Its major ideologies are based on the philosophies of Siddhartha Guatama, also known as “Buddha”, who began his teachings in 598 BCE at the age of 35, according to Buddhist texts. A Buddhist’s foremost aspiration is the obtainment of Bodhi, or enlightenment through meditation and Anapana-sati (awareness of the breath). Buddhism shares many ideologies with India’s Hinduism and Yoga such as non-harming, non-violence, and self-awareness. In many instances, people regard Buddhism as a way of life rather than a religion, for it has no clear belief in the idea of a God or Gods. Its structure is built upon a hierarchy much like Christianity where superior orders such as Lamas or the Dalai Lama are said to be chosen by nature through the process of reincarnation rather than by a council like Christianity’s Pope. Though these “higher level” Buddhists are rare (not everyone is a reincarnation of an ancient Buddhist “priest”), all are permitted to follow “The Middle Way” either as a Buddhist monk or the simple attendance of a weekly teaching session from time to time. Throughout the last few hundred years the Buddhist population has blossomed into a healthy 381,611,000 and over fifteen different sects including Zen, Mahayana, and Theravada.
There is a famous quote by writer Joseph Campbell that says, “Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again”. That says, everyone has a sacred space. For some that is their bedroom, for others it is a religious or spiritual place. No matter what, however, everyone gets the same feeling, the same release from their sacred place, but some people must go further, or make a pilgrimage to get to their sacred space or spaces. I will be addressing the sacred places of pilgrimage in Buddhism.
230). There are two main “types” Buddhism that are practiced around the world. The first is Theravadin, and the second is Mahayana (Smith-Stoner, 2005, p. 228). Buddhism contains a “message of salvation” that considered the “Four Noble Truths” (Leming & Dickinson, 2011 p. 134). They are, the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. Leming and Dickinson (2011) describe how the combination of ethics and meditation are the eightfold path to enlightenment (Leming & Dickinson, 2011 p. 136). The author believes it is important for practitioners to recognize the increasing numbers of people practicing Buddhism in the United States in order to enhance their ability to care for end of life needs in this population. Smith-Stoner (2005) states that Buddhism is one of the fastest growing religions in the United States and that Colorado is one of the main population centers (Smith-Stoner, 2005, p. 229). In Buddhism, it is extremely important to be able to tame emotions and the mind which is done through meditation. The author thinks it is pertinent to know the
For my site visit reflection paper, I decided to visit the Thai Buddhist Temple in Homestead. The reason this particular site was my choice was because information acquired from the videos in lecture about tradition and Confucianism in Asia made me curious to learn more about the Buddhist way of life. Because so many South Eastern countries instantaneously adopted Buddhism from India and then China with open arms, I decided to make the visit in the morning to learn the reasons for the international success of this way of life. This would give me a more interactive comprehension of Buddhism.
The Temple was very large and beautiful. My friend and I were both stunned by how gorgeously built the Mandir was. The buildings were big and stretched across several acres of the land. Next to the temple was another large building, which was used as a center for gatherings and entertainment purposes. The temple had many different entrances, the main one we noticed were the big steps ...
Before I really get into my personal experience at the Durga temple, I would like to begin my experience paper by throwing a light on my religion. I personally belong to a Muslim family and have practiced Islam throughout my life. Islam is one of the monotheistic religions, which means people only believe in one God usually referred as Allah. All the individuals, including me, believe that everything in this world has been created by all mighty Allah. He has the power and authority of diminishing and raising thing. Islam is based on its five pillars; Namaz (prayer), Roza (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage), Zakat (Give away), and Jahad (struggle in way of Islam). In contrast Hinduism has many different deities and all of them have a specific purpose. For example Shiva is widely known as the destroyer while the Vishnu presides over the maintenance of the living being. The reason I decided to go to the Hindu religious practice is because I have heard many different stories about the conflict between Hindus and Muslims. Furthermore, I also wanted to see the temples because I have never seen one, I have been to a lot of churches, mosques, and synagogue, but never got the change to visit a temple. Both Islam and Hinduism are the most popular religions in the world and they have millions of followers. However, there is a day and night difference between both of them.
Tibetan thanka[1] paintings are a wonderful example of the interconnectedness of religion and art. These images are “not meant to be the object of simple idolatry” (Jackson 11), but rather take on a more interactive role, which can be applied to nearly every facet of traditional Tibetan life. Tibetan Buddhism pervades all aspects of the creation and use of thanka paintings—in the training and requirements of the artists who create the paintings, in the physical creative process itself, in the iconography used, and in all the painting’s multiple functions. Tibetan thanka paintings, throughout their entire lifespan—from concept to consecrated image—help devotional religious activity for Tibetan Buddhism[2].
Taj Mahal stands in a formally laid-out walled garden; I think these trees and flowers made Taj Mahal even more beautiful and gave it a look of peacefulness. White marble and red sandstone are great materials to be used for symbol of eternal love. Everything seems to be in balance of itself. I think a long pool in front of Taj Mal does give many explanations or meaning of Taj Mahal. I think reflecting of Taj Mal in the long pool tells us that Shan Jahan would only love his wife, like the reflection that will only give the image of Taj Mahal, not anything else.
Taj Mahal. ( Mahal is the word in urdu language used for Palace) How can I describe The Taj Mahal? You can’t its impossible. You just have to experience it. To gaze in wonder at that magnificent dome and elegant gardens will be a moment that you remember for the rest of your life. It is one of the greatest sights in the world, some say the greatest, and like Victoria Falls, The Grand Canyon, and Macchu Picchu, it simply is one of those things you have to see in your life. The architectural grace and symmetry of the Taj Mahal just takes your breath away. We had chosen our visit carefully--the sun was setting and the light that washed over the Taj was golden in color. The minarets were now stark against the setting sun . The actual dome was a surprise, it is not yellow-white but blue-white and covered in inscriptions and detail. From below it looked like something out of "Arabian Nights." But inside were the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The central tomb is a lofty chamber with light streaming through fine latticework, and hanging above was an elaborate lamp. Words cannot describe its beauty when you stand on that marble platform overlooking the Yamuna, with the setting sun turning it into a golden ribbon. You may a...