Sarah Dubey
Ms. Korschun
AP Art History Period 3
12/5/18
Title
The origins of Buddhism can be traced back to India during the 6th century BCE. Siddhartha Gautama was born in modern day Nepal into a royal family, most likely around 560 BCE. After encountering suffering in the world around him, he became an ascetic and studied spiritual doctrines and rituals in search of final freedom from worldly suffering. After he decided to live a normal life again, he spent a period of time under a Bodhi tree, where his enlightenment (Nirvana) occurred. He went on to preach and spread his spiritual message to the world for the rest of his life, before his death at the age of 80. Buddhism is one fo the only religions in which the deity was born as an ordinary man, which encourages humans that anyone can reach Nirvana and become a Buddha themselves.
There are three established schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Theravada was established first, and it is said to be the most closely related to Buddha’s beliefs and practices, because it is based on encounters of the Elder monks. Mahayana teaches a life of selflessness and the belief that an individual can reach Nirvana in one lifetime. It spread North quickly through Tibet and China. Lastly, Vajrayana focuses more on individual spiritual guidance and enlightenment. The concept of karma is highly valued, and it is believed that enlightenment can be achieved in one lifetime, similarly to Mahayana.
Nature has always been extremely valued in Buddhism. Buddha’s enlightenment, which marks the beginning of the religion, occurred in nature, under a Bodhi tree. Teachings advise that outside in nature is the best place for meditation because it is quiet and secluded, and Enlightenment has been experienced in nature previously. Buddhists’ love for nature and animals can be seen expressed in poems and illustrations. There are many encounters by Buddha with animals, expressing his love and relationship with them. The religion has always prohibited harming any kind of nature, and advocated for the protection of it at all costs. Boiled down, Buddhists believe that “every living being desires happiness and fears death; therefore we should not harm any being” (Rakkhit).
There are three main forms of Buddhist architecture. A chaitya is a shrine/prayer hall with a stupa attached, typically used for religious rites and assemblies. Similar to a chaitya is a vihara, a monastery for Buddhist monks. Viharas did not include stupas, and were for residential and recreational purposes. Both chaitya and viharas are important to the religion of Buddhism and can both be found in India and other countries. For example, the Ajanta Caves in India are around 30 rock-cut caves consisting of chaityas and viharas. Dating back to the second century BCE, they used to be ornately decorated with valuable sculptures and paintings, many of which were unable to be recovered. Due to the unique interaction of carving the caves out of the rock, they are able to be recovered and venerated today. All of the caves are completely dark, which contributes greatly to religious experiences. Even today, most of the caves remain in darkness, as to maintain the quality of their original state.
Lastly, stupas are dirt mounds faceted with stone used for burials and to hold relics of spiritual masters. Śarīra is a term used to describe Buddhist relics, more specifically objects that are found among the ashes of a cremated spiritual figure. Buddha’s relics are kept in multiple stupas across locations that were associated with pivotal points in his life (birth, Enlightenment, first sermon, death). Before Buddhism, stupas were used to bury wise leaders and teachers. Sometimes they were buried sitting up in the lotus position, a meditative pose that Buddha is depicted in regularly. This is meant to represent reaching Enlightenment and knowledge, and is why the mound is shaped into a dome.
Circumambulation is the act of walking around an object of religious importance, such as a stupa, bodhi tree, or idol image, in a clockwise direction three or more times. It is an act of respect that Buddhism values greatly. It is a custom that was passed down and recorded by sutras, and it symbolizes following the sun’s path and Buddha’s life course. This is potentially a foundation of the idea that right (direction) is true and superior to other directions, and has been seen as an underlying belief.
Circumambulation can also be seen in Christianity. Roman Catholic
Works Cited
“FEATURES|THEMES|General.” Buddhism in China Today: An Adaptable Present, a Hopeful Future | Buddhistdoor, www.buddhistdoor.net/features/significance-of-nature-in- buddhism.
“South, East, and Southeast Asia: 300 B.C.E. – 1980 C.E.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/242