Man has always found pleasure in expressing himself by creating art. Through the centuries, man’s art has left behind clues and insight that enables the generations of today to understand their ancestors. In particular, historians and artist alike can see what certain Asian sculptures reflect of the culture and religious beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism is the parent religion to Buddhism; much like Judaism is to Christianity. Despite Buddhism and Hinduism sharing similar philosophies and various idealisms, their respective sculptures also show their differences. There are two important characteristic of the sculptures of these religions. The first is motion versus rest, and second the subject matter. It is these two types of characteristics historians and artist can help use to decipher Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.
One of the key characteristic of the two types of sculpture that is the subject of the painting. Hindu sculptures commonly represent their gods and deities, such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Buddhist sculptures dating between the 1st and 5th century use symbols such as the wheel, footprints, or empty thrones to represent the teachings of Buddha. Sculptures after the 6th
…show more content…
The use of symbolic hand gestures, known as “mudras”, help convey ideas. Buddha in Figure 2 of the Appendices is using mudras much like in the piece Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja). The right hands of both sculptures in Figure 1 and 2 display the “abhayamudra”, which signifies, "do not fear" (Doyle, Goodman. "Lesson Plan: Buddhist and Hindu Art from India-A Comparative Look."). This type of mudra is formed by raising the right hand to shoulder height, with the palm of the hand facing out, and the fingertips pointing upward. Mudras in Buddhist and Hindu art are essential to both religions to honor the teachings of their gods or
The statue that will be the focus of this paper portrays the figure “Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Light.” Like many other statues of the Buddha, this Amida Buddha was portrayed to be deep in meditation, sitting cross-legged. A viewer could observe that the Amida Buddha is making a hand gesture while in deep meditation. These gestures, also known as “mudras,” are symbolic in the Buddhist religion, and they are used to convey certain ideas (O’Riley 70). In this case, the Amida Buddha is making the mudra of appeasement (“Amida”). More physical observations could be made by pointing out the “balanced form, divine features, and flowing drapery” (“Amida”) of the Amida Buddha. Those qualities represent the nature of the Buddha, revealing him as “transcendent, graceful, and compassionate” (“Amida”). Features common to other Buddha sculptures show up on this Amida Buddha, like the elongated earlobes, the mole on his forehead, and patterned hair. At first glance, the Am...
Every Buddhist statue tells a story of its own. Educated person can say where the statue comes from and which time period it comes from just by looking at certain features, which proves the unique developments in eastern art, art that is so similar and different at the same time. Statues originating from same countries a lot of times are made of the same materials and are decorated in ways that trace throughout the region. For example there are three major features that characterize the Luang Prabang Buddha in comparison to those of the neighboring countries. The usanisa (cranial protuberance) is always embellished with a stylized flame; the earlobe unusually long is shaped like a snail shell; and the urna or divine frontal sign is never represented.
Hindu believes women are creator, caretaker, destroyer and a lover. Such beliefs are common in both eastern culture and western tradition that can be seen represented in different canvases of many famous artists. From renaissance Michelangelo Angelo to abstract Pablo Picasso, artists have always painted women in different circles of life explaining different paradox of emotional feelings, spiritual beliefs, and physical representations. Explaining such themes in balanced form and in limited canvases was not possible without abstract thinking and imaginative hard work. Such trend in art can be seen in artwork of different famous artists, which they created as per their thoughts and desire broadening meaning of visual arts pouring the spices of science and technology.
These images are the Orisha symbols which were the symbols Griffith incorporated throughout his procession. The symbols come from the the seven Grandfather teachings which were dramatized in the precession. The several symbols hung from left to right were: Wisdom, courage, respect, truth, honesty, humility and love. This was a successful demonstration of the Seven Grandfather Teachings as it is emphasized so that the eye mainly focuses on these seven designs. The virtue Wisdom is represented as a Bow and Arrow, Courage is seen as Sabra, a dagger symbolizes respect, the virtue of truth is compared to an Axe, honesty is represented as crossroads, a crescent moon is presented as humility, and finally a heart is a clear depiction of love (Chhangur 11). These diverse symbols are morphological links made through Ring of Fire. Each culture has distinct practices and these symbols represent that despite our diversities we are still able to share particular practices and virtues. This work of art was well put together as viewers are able to make a connection with the theme of the procession Ring of Fire. Due to this successful representation of Griffith’s ideas we are also able to envision what his intentions were with these symbols, and how these symbols majorly influenced the performance of the
"Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History." Altarpiece Dedicated to Buddha Maitreya (Mile) [China] (38.158.1a-n). N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.
It is speculated that this anti-iconic symbolism was done in order to comply with Gautama’s wish that his physical form not be depicted after his passing, but there are no found scriptures known to prove this statement. On the east gate is a continuous narrative scene called “The Great Departure,” where Gautama departs on his journey for enlightenment (Chien). He is represented as an umbrella, a royal symbol, when seated on his horse and as footprints, which shows his physical impact on the world, when he dis-mounts his horse. The Buddha is represented as an umbrella on a shrine on the Western gate. Buddha sculptures have evolved over time in order to fit the changing views of Buddhism. The earliest styles for Buddhist sculpture are from the ancient civilizations of Mathura and Gandhara started the iconic phase of depicting Buddha. A seated Buddha statue from Mathura resembles traditional Indian images of male nature deities, has fearless hand gestures, and is characterized by a cranial protuberance, which shows his greater understanding of all things. These seated statues constitute of broad shoulders, a swelled chest, firmly planted legs, a shaven head, a smiling round face, and drapery that clings to the form of the body while leaving the right shoulder bare (Britannica). Other characteristics include “the right arm raised in
More in depth, the entire concept of art and what is art differs in the world of the nonliterate societies. This is the first rule that needs to be analyzed. In addition to, the objects westerners view as art is actually a small piece to a bigger puzzle. To the Natives, the overall puzzle or purpose is to created and stabilize the cosmic order in which they live in. It is through this process of rituals and sacred ceremonies to keep order that objects are created of beauty, but for bigger reason. Not to hang on a wall or leave behind a glass case; but rather, keeping order and doing away with chaos that could destroy their existence.
Throughout the history of humankind, man has always searched to find answers to the many existential questions. Numerous different religions and denominations have developed around the world over time. Though, most wonder about the origin and purpose of our existence. Buddhism was founded on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama about 2,600 years ago in India. After he had experienced that everyone was subject to “birth, sickness, death, and old age”, he tried to find a way to break from the cycle of rebirth (Bloom). Siddhartha Gautama experimented with a number of methods to find the cause of suffering which led him to what he called the Middle Way – a path between “licentiousness and extreme mortification” (Bloom). Once he achieved enlightenment, he turned into ‘the Buddha – the enlightened or awakened one’. Christianity is one of the largest and most prevailing religions of the world and largely based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians trust that Jesus was sent by God to save humanity. Therefore, the faith of the followers of the Christian belief is primarily based on the preaching of Jesus and later the spreading of those by his disciples. Although Buddhism and Christianity show several parallels, their three key differences are that Buddhists do not believe in one divine being, and have different views about both the purpose of life and the concept of afterlife.
Hinduism and Buddhism There are many religions that are practiced around the world, especially in Asia where there are eight different religions being practiced. In the country of India, Buddhism and Hinduism are the main religions that are practiced today. Buddhism and Hinduism were both founded in Asia, but they were founded by two different people and practiced in two different ways and languages. Buddhism is a living tradition that is passed down from teacher to student as a set of instruction and techniques for sanity and brilliance in the inner self and the world. Hinduism is more based on the thoughts and attitude about one’s everyday life, and reflects in his actions.
...social values of rich stones resembled their higher standards of living in those days. Also, two different types of art based on Indian culture and society such as “Shiva Nataraja” and “Adios, Mahatma” depicted great religious and social perspective of Hinduism and free spirit of will, respectively. Also, “Heheya Kachina” and “The Light Inside” presented two unique forms of art which is so rare or so common in the modern society that we sometime forget to notice if these types of art exist.
The principles, elements and structures of Buddhism have been practiced for hundreds of years. Artistic renditions of Buddha have also been portrayed in many different ways. Drawings, sculptures and statues are just a few of the many types of art forms created since the beginning of Buddhism. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has many different stylistic artworks that are exceptionally intriguing. In particular, I have chosen two pieces of artwork I consider to be most interesting. Both depict an image of Buddha from different time periods. This essay will compare and contrast “Seated Buddha” (image 1), a sculpture from the Gupta period, India, and “Seated Buddha” (image 2), a hard stone from the Qing Dynasty, China. By looking at these two images of Asian art, Seated Buddha from India and Seated Buddha from China, they are each associated with Buddhism and originated from one similar form. However, they are representative of two separate, major theologies throughout Asia: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism images exclusive to each time period.
Buddhism and Christianity are different religions. Both have numerous similarities as well as differences that one might find really interesting to look at in details. These two religions have certain beliefs, values and traditions which are really compatible. On the other hand, some of these values, beliefs and traditional practices are quite contradicting and conflicting. This makes the study of these two religions an inevitable and pleasurable task. Theology historians have raised adequate concerns and issues relating to connections between Buddhism and Christianity. They claim that there is strong comparability between the characters of Jesus and Buddha, especially their lives and teachings.
Gandhara had absorbed Indian and Mediterranean influence in its art as well as its culture. This fusion of civilizations had taken place during the 6th and 5th century B.C, it was during this time period that the rhythm of civilizations was maintained. It was noted for the distinctive Gandhara style of Buddhist art, which developed out of a merger of Greek, Syrian, Persian, and Indian artistic influence. As mentioned earlier the Gandhara artists were said to have hand of a Greek but the head and heart of an Indian . During this period the devotees had dedicated themselves to the novel task of carving stone images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. In their version of the Buddhist legends, the Gandhara artists, heavily favored the use of classical Roman art with bounteous of Greek mythology such as the angels that had garlands, Centaurs with human heads, arms and the body, spiral and flowing lines, Tritons with the fish tails and horse’s forefoot, scrolls and stuccos. The carving of the drapery showed the Hellenic influence on Gandhara art, for example the bright disc around the head of the Buddha or the half human being with the head of trunk of a women and tail of a fish. Similarly the wavy treatment of the hair, balance and distribution of weight considering the frame of human parts certain motifs and patterns all indicated a full close knowledge of
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].
In the following essay, I will be comparing and contrasting to architectural pieces by the Indians. The first is the Taj Mahal, a building constructed from white marble that took seventeen years to build in honor of Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Z. Haq). This piece of architectural beauty belonged to the Mughal’s, the Muslim emperors in India (Z. Haq). The second is the Great Stupa at Sanchi, a holy, dome shaped structure that covers the body of the Buddha in honor of him and his contributions to Buddhism (Fischer, Julia). Furthermore, this structure was made of ruins, rocks, mud, and covered in bricks (Fischer, Julia). Both pieces of architecture are significant to the Indians, however they do contrast in some ways.