Buddhism And Buddhist Sculptures

When it comes to Buddha statues, a great majority of people often wonder why some statues depict a skinny and serene Buddha while others show a rotund and jovial fellow. Regional and religious differences amongst the creators of these statues result in the differing visual depictions we find scattered predominantly in the East. As Buddhism spread across Asia, each region imbibed its own artistic tradition and cultural influence in the representation and subject matter of Buddhist art. Art is a vital component of many religions; it can be used to educate and convey important religious principles to a practitioner. In this case, Buddhist art is commonly used as an object to help focus in meditation, which is a key element in the practice of the religion.1
In order to understand and interpret Buddhist sculptures we must have an understanding of the subject matter and the religious significance of the art itself. Buddhist practitioners are supposed to meditate in so that they can achieve enlightenment, which is the spiritual awareness of the “impermanence of existence” (O’Riley, Pg. 59...