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The Many Faces of Buddha
Buddhism, practiced in many different ways…
…is also represented
by many different images of
the Buddha.
Founder of Buddhism’s real name : Siddhartha
Gutama
Buddha = sanskrit
“One who has
awakened, enlightened)
Born c. 600 B.C. on northeast Ganges River plain
Siddhartha Gutama’s
father was a local council leader of the
Brahmin class; his mother, Maya, died
shortly after the Buddha’s
birth.
Upon his birth, it is said that
Siddhartha stood up
and walked seven steps.
His father was warned by
astronomers that the boy would either
become a conqueror or great teacher.
Leading a life of luxury,
Buddha left his home only four times
during his youth, but
those trips were highly
influential.
Each of the four trips introduced him to different
aspects of human life: sickness,
old age, death, and the life of
priestly meditation.
At 29 years old,
Siddhartha left his new
wife and young son
to experience the real world.
He attempted to lead a life of poverty,
fasting frequently.
(Tradition says he existed on
one grain of rice a day.)
But after six years, upon sitting under a Bodi tree, he experienced his past lives…
Buddhist literature
tells of Buddha re-livingthe many past lives
while meditating
under the tree…
…a total of 357 human lives, 123 as an animal life-form…
Each life revealed
the truths about the
Law of Karma…
Buddha’s teachings:
based upon the
“Law of
Causation”
“Everything happening in the world is a natural product of cause and effect relationships. Nothing happens randomly.”
Buddha accepted the Hindu beliefs
of karma and reincarnation, however there was no role
for gods. Salvation =
through one’s own
efforts.
“If you desire something good to happen in your future, then you should practice good deeds now.”
Religious texts contain the Buddha’s
sermons which discuss the causes
of suffering and the mental
disciplines needed to escape.
Buddha preached about the “Middle
Path” between two extremes of
self-indulgence
and austerity.
Buddha’s example of living
was based on direct experience
with life, combined with
meditation.
The Eightfold Paths:
Right ViewsRight Aspirations
Right SpeechRight Conduct
Right LivelihoodRight Endeavor
Right MindfulnessRight Meditation
Buddhists’ good deeds can include:
*entering into the
monastery,
Dali Lama…living
reincarnation of Buddha
today
*commemorating holidays
*making donations to monks
Do Buddhists worship the image of Buddha?
The images remind people of significant moments in
Buddha’s life or lessons from his
teachings.
Buddhists use images of Buddha merely as
an educational
tool…
Elaborate temples have been built for private worship…
Many Buddhists bring images to monasteries to be blessed…
Respect is offered to
images (fruit, cakes,
flowers, or money) in hopes of returned
good fortune.
Roadside shrines dot the countryside…
(Clay votive from roadside shrine, Korea)
Monumental images
(Afghanistan)
(images destroyed by Taliban rule
in Afghanistan)
Symbolism in
worship…
incense (purify, pleasant offering)
…horns to draw
attention to prayers
Chanting, drums to call attention to offerings…
Buddha’s teachings also formed the groundwork for the wheel of life; a visual aid in teaching about the cycle of
all human and animal existence, still used today.
The wheel represents
not only
the phases of all
human life…
…but the six
heavens (from Hindu beliefs)
…and eight hells into which Buddhists dread reincarnation.
…And the Buddhist idea of hell is not one of
torment, but a place
from which one may ascend
through good deeds.
Nirvana is not found
anywhere on the wheel; it is attainable only outside
all life existence.
(Enormous wheels of life, Buddhist temple)
(hand-held wheel of life, China)
Examining the
Many Faces of
Buddha
Generally, all images of Buddha
possess similar
elements:
A flame-like protrusion
from the top of the head is
used to symbolize Buddha’s endless, radiant, spiritual energy.
* All fingers/toes
are the same
lengths (human
equality?)
* Head or forehead: wide or protrudes (great mental powers)
* Earlobes are elongated (former wealthy status, earrings of gold?)
For example, the manner in which the Buddha’s hands are portrayed represent different messages.
Teaching
(hands to chest, thumb and index finger touching)
Granting a
Blessing
(outward palm
offered
Calling the Earth to Witness
(one palm down)
Prayer
(palms clasped
together)
Meditation
(hands resting
together on lap)
Fearlessness
(arm upright, palm
full front)
Passage to Nirvana(reclining Buddha)
The “footprint” represents Buddha’s impact of the world…
The “urna” (third eye) is a traditional marking on some images…
… symbolizing “inner vision”
or “inner sight”
…also known
as Guan Yin (China)
“Laughing Buddha”
(incarnation of
Buddha in the future)
brings wealth and good
fortune
Detecting Symbolism
and Meaning
in Images…