Depictions of Buddha

• There are many different statues and paintings of Siddartha Gautama, the Buddha.

• The reason for these different representations is that Buddhism is typically absorbed into other cultures.

(For example, Buddhism in China became Chinese instead of China becoming Buddhist.)

Seated Buddha

• The Seated Buddha represents Buddha

reaching enlightenment

under the fig tree.

Obese, Laughing Buddha

• The Obese, Laughing Buddha is popular in China.

• This figure is believed to be a representation of a medieval Chinese monk and therefore technically not a Buddha image.

Emaciated Buddha

• The Emaciated Buddha, which shows Siddhartha Gautama during his extreme ascetic practice of starvation.

• Despite these specific cultural artistic traditions, some fundamental standards for Buddha statues remain a constant, and among these are the various poses of the Buddha and what those poses mean.

• These poses are called mudras.

Mudras

• Mudras are ritualistic gestures and poses that are used in both Buddhism and Hinduism, reflecting their common Indian heritage.

• All statues of the Buddha represent him performing one of the mudras. Many of the mudras are depicted through simple hand gestures, but others are full-body poses.

5 Most Common Mudras

• Abhaya mudra: right hand raised and palm facing out, with the left hand down toward the hips and also facing out, symbolizing peaceful intentions and peacemaking;

• Bhumisparsha mudra: all five fingers of the right hand reaching to touch the ground, symbolizing the enlightenment of the Buddha under the Bodhi tree

• Dhyana mudra: one or both hands in the lap, symbolizing wisdom, possibly supplemented by ritual objects such as an alms bowl

• Dharmachakra mudra (the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle, symbolizing the Wheel of Dharma

• Varada mudra: both hands at waist level, palms out, right hand up and left hand down

Activity Time!

• You will be given blank paper.

• Recreate the Buddha as you imagine him to have been. Along with your drawing, write 50-100 words explaining your interpretation of Buddha.