Buddhist art, encompassing a wide range of mediums and spanning over two thousand and five hundred years, is a major part of Buddhist tradition and part of the Buddhist culture in many parts of the world. Not only is it beautiful, but it contains intricate symbols representing the history and culture of Buddhism, with each symbol having a specific meaning. This article provides an overview of Buddhism, its art and its symbol meanings, as well as its history.
What Is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy, often described as a way of life, which is based upon the teachings of the Buddha, or “the awakened one”. It has been around for about 2,500 years, originating in India and has since spread throughout the world. Buddhism has a system of beliefs and practices, from the philosophy of mindfulness to the five precepts, which aim to create harmony between the self, others, and the environment.
History Of Buddhist Art
Buddhist art has evolved through the centuries and has gone through several periods of development. During the 1st to 6th centuries, Buddhist art would typically take the form of reliefs, some of which are still visible on cave walls in India today. During the 7th-13th centuries, Buddhist art developed with the rise of Buddhism in countries such as Japan and China, with the introduction of new art forms such as sculpture. One key point during this period was the development of the mandala.
The 13th century marked a shift in Buddhist art as it began to make its way to Southeast Asia and began to take more influence from local cultures. During the 15th to 19th centuries, the development of Buddhist art in Southeast Asia was encouraged by its contact with other strands of Buddhism and the introduction of new materials such as lacquer, gold and bronze.
Symbols In Buddhist Art
Buddhist art is often adorned with symbols which represent the teachings of Buddhism. Just one symbol may also hold multiple meanings and be used for multiple reasons. Here are some of the most common symbols found in Buddhist art and their meanings:
Lotus: The lotus symbolises enlightenment, beauty and purity. The lotus flower grows from the depths of murky water and blooms into a beautiful flower, with the petals symbolising how good can arise from troubled beginnings.
Om: The Om symbol represents peace, unity and creation. In the visualisation of Om, the sound of the universe is created and transcends all worldly realities.
Dharmachakra: The Dharmachakra symbol, better known as the Dharmwheel, depicts the Buddhist path. It represents eighthfold path, the four noble truths and the beginning of the Buddhist teachings.
The Stupa: The Stupa, which translates as “dome”, is a tower-like symbol which represents both Siddhartha Gautama’s journey to enlightenment and the enshrining of his relics.
The Bodhi Tree: The Bodhi tree symbolises both Gautama’s journey to enlightenment and personal growth. The symbolic value of the tree is that when Gautama meditated under it and hit enlightenment, he reached the highest level of consciousness.
Tree Of Life: The Tree of Life symbol is a representation of the interconnectedness of life and how every living thing is intertwined and connected in one way or another.
Dharmapala: The Dharmapalas are guardian figures who are believed to protect practitioners of Buddhism. They are usually depicted with their red eyes in a wrathful expression.
These are just some of the symbols which are used in Buddhist art and used to represent the teachings of the religion. Each symbol is used to represent a different concept and the symbols are used to convey certain emotions and feelings.
Buddhist art is an important part of Buddhism, used to represent its teachings and values. Buddhist art has been evolving for more than two thousand years, with each period of development leaving behind its own symbols, meanings and interpretations. Just some of the symbols used in Buddhist art and their meanings have been included in this article.
