Sacred Symbols: Inspired By The Religion Of Buddhism

The main focus of Buddhism is that the faith centers on correct understanding of human nature and ultimate reality, The Buddha was also called the Enlightened One, he taught that the way to eliminate suffering begins with understanding the true nature of the world. He rejected speculation about such matters as God, the nature of the universe, and the afyterlife, urging his folloers to focus instead on the Four Noble Truths by which they can free themselves from suffering. “We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by God.” The disbelief in God does not make Buddhism an atheistic religion. The Buddha rejected the concept of the atman, or soul. In

Buddha statue that “remains on earth as a means of helping other believers lead a better life so that

   In Herman Hess's, Siddhartha, Siddhartha's constant growth and spiritual evolution is elucidated through the symbolism of the snake, the bird and the river.

The central Buddha figure, Shakyamuni is the original Buddha who can not be spoken or thought of in terms of birth or death, self or other and is the source of all other manifestation of Buddha hood. He appears cross-legged on a pedestal representing the “cosmic mountain.” The Shaka displays several of the important iconographic, symbolic traits of the Buddha, including the usis, a cranial protrubence; the snail-shell curls of hair the urna, a mark on the brow between the eyes; the elongated ears; and the gilt which indicates the golden color of the Buddha’s skin. He holds his right hand in a gesture of protection or reassurances known as abhaya mudra, the left in the vara mudra. These features appear

In the article “Ritual and Presentation in Early Buddhist Religious Architecture” by Lars Fogelin, the readers are introduced to Buddhism and ritual which include the stupas. Stupas were build according to Buddha’s dying wish, his reason for doing so was “indented for the laity who, with their poorer grasp of Buddhism principles, required the aid of direct worship to ease them toward the path to enlightenment” (Forgelin, pg. 3). The argument that Forgelin brings up is that the designers had to accommodate the needs of Buddhist worshipers “while attempting to provide mechanisms to foster group cohesion”(Forgelin, pg.1), which is shown in the open-air and rock-cut stupas. Forgelin’s thesis stated he will address the main topic by first presenting Buddhist’s goal and how to attain this goal referred to as nirvana, then who are the three principal groups who practice their rituals at a stupid, and how the designers had to incorporate the different styles of practice into the design of the stupas.

Between the second century BCE and the early first century CE, buddhist art was not represented as human form rather than symbols. Symbols were represented by the buddha's footprints, or a stupa. The Great Stupa is located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India and was founded in the 3rd century BCE. The stupa is derived as burial mounds for buddhas, holding the remains of their cremation. The main body of the stupa or dome represents the world mountains, which rises through the center of the buddha universe. The railing encloses the top of mast bearing three stone disks or “umbrellas” represent the three jewels of buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama, sangha, and dharma.

These two seated Buddha represent the meaning and the embodiment of Buddha. Both of these sculptures convey Buddha and represent key aspects of Buddhism, but these two sculpture do not convey and represent the symbolism entirely of what Buddha is in other art pieces. Rock cut stone sculpture of Buddha is represented in a peaceful nature as he gives the first sermon, the sun, the lotus flower, the knot on his head, the elongated earlobes, the slightly closed eyes and cherubs up above are common symbols that represent Buddha. Where the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan is an 88 metre tall bronze statue, that stand upward, and has very little Buddha symbolism represented. He has the knot on his head, slightly closed eyes, standing on an opened lotus flower

Emily, this sculpture is interesting to me in a way that Buddha’s head is not present. The body and the half circle seem to serve as the eyes and mouth. Also, because it is a sculpture of fasting Buddha, it seems to show the inside of the body as bony and enduring the fasting season. After reaching enlightenment, Buddha meditated and fasted for forty-nine days. Thus, showing him as an emaciated renouncer relates to his enlightenment and his status as a yogic ascetic who has ultimate control over his body. Other characteristics that relate to his enlightenment include the sitting on top of the seven people under him shows the Buddha's teachings to his followers.

Relics always have been important part of Buddhism. Their mobility and amazing property of self-multiplication contribute to the growth of Buddhism across Asia. In China, the most famous relic is finger bones of Buddha Sakyamuni, found in Famensi. Robert H. Sharf wants to look at this relic in new perspective. Since many scholars tend to focus on the material appearance of the relic, instead of its production and the way they were treated by believers, Sharf argues that previous researches were taken in different direction. Also, the categories used by the scholars, along with the questions they asked may determine the possible answers and findings.

There are many different religions with many different beliefs, traditions, practices, and rituals. These differences are a very important part of understanding and appreciating the culture and history behind the specific religion. However, the practices that certain religions have in common can aid even more in furthering the understanding of specific beliefs of other religions. Since most religions cultivate from the practices and beliefs of other religions, they use those core values and beliefs and transform them into what they believe is a better way practicing. Religions use similarities within each other and twist them into their own. There are certain beliefs within every religion that shape their practices such as their morals or their most essential or absolute value, their position on human beings’ problems and solutions, and their view on life and death within their religion. Pure Land Buddhism (a form of Mahayana Buddhism) and Vaishnavites (a group within Hinduism) are great examples of this very concept.

The sculpture Buddha Amitabha is a typical Sui Dynasty style art piece that represents the will of

XuanZang was a legendary Buddhist monk who traveled during the post-classical era from AD 627-643. He was also a Buddhologist, traveller, and promoter of culture among the nations of Asia. Xuanzang traveled the Silk Road which is one of the largest trade routes in the ancient world. On his long voyage that lasted him sixteen years he introduced religion, ideas, and culture that linked China to the rest of the Kingdoms of the west. Xuanzang is considered a historical moment and legend who 's impact on Buddhist religion in China has changed their religious customs providing manuscripts, Sanskrit text, and relics.

Om is the main symbol of Hinduism. It may seem a small word but has a lot of meaning to it. Hindus say it is the name of the universal Lord and surrounds all creations. They use this word in yoga classes as mediation and for peace. Om refers to soul, truth, divine, and knowledge. “In the Kaṭha Upaniṣad, the figure Death defines oṃ as the goal propounded by the Vedas, and proclaims that anyone who meditates on the syllable oṃ can attain brahma” (Jones). After meditating for many years and constantly saying “Om” can attain the Lord Brahma. After achieving your goal and meeting Brahma, you can ask for anything in favor and the lord gives it to you for praying with purity. Also, Om is said when

Relics are thought to be present in Buddhism since the 5th Century B.C.E, when the original Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was said to have lived, and Buddhism itself was a new religion. They continue today as sacred objects of worship. Relics that are as old as Buddhism itself are said to exist and still be worshipped. Although the idea of relics may seem contradictory to many of Buddhist beliefs, they actually do resonate with many ideals of Buddhist teachings and practices.

In the Kuna culture, frogs are a symbol of fertility, a notion originating from how many offspring a frog could produce at once. The Arnolfini Portrait, likely commemorates a husband and wife’s union, the wife bunches up her green dress to her stomach, a possible reference to fertility and hope for children.