Buddhism and Art
The Dharma Wheel
In the times of early Buddhism, images of the Buddha did not appear. Instead, many artist used symbols to represent him. One such symbol was the eight-spoked wheel, or the Dharma. This wheel came from the Eightfold Path which includes right view, right intentions, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right consciousness, and right mindfulness. It is said that the shape of a wheel could have been inspired by the sun that symbolizes health and light or from a wheel of a kings chariot which symbolizes royal rulership.
source: Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. Sixth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2012. Print. |
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Thangka |
http://artspiral.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html
Mandala |
A thangka is any paintings on a piece of cloth. The most common images on thangkas are of the Buddha or any of the deities. These images can either portray its subject as terrifying or kind. The terrifying forms serve to scare demons away or chasten their followers. One image that is seen on various thangka's is that of the female deity, Tara. Tara is usually seen as white or green and represents mercy. An image of this type of thangka can be seen to the left.
source: Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. Sixth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2012. Print. |
A mandala is a sacred cosmic diagram often used in meditation. These objects are commonly shaped as a circle enclosing a square. It can also be a series of circles and squares that get smaller and smaller. A mandala can represent the entire universe, the self, or the place of a deity. Most of the time, mandala's are made on cloths, but some monks will draw them in the sand and then destroy it during a ceremony to symbolize the buddhists teaching of impermanence.
source: Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. Sixth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2012. Print. |
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/22/buddhist-sand-mandalas_n_6185680.html
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