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…