StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Compare the Hindu and Buddhist styles of representing divinity - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Complete Comparing the Hindu and Buddhist Styles of Representing Divinity Like the general concept with which sculptures of Japan’s Heian period were treated, the ‘Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva of Compassion’ was sculpted using a special technique, known as ‘yosegi’ which gave most creation of the era, 794-1185 AD, its distinct characteristic…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.7% of users find it useful
Compare the Hindu and Buddhist styles of representing divinity
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Compare the Hindu and Buddhist styles of representing divinity"

Comparing the Hindu and Buddhist Styles of Representing Divinity Like the general concept withwhich sculptures of Japan’s Heian period were treated, the ‘Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva of Compassion’ was sculpted using a special technique, known as ‘yosegi’ which gave most creation of the era, 794-1185 AD, its distinct characteristic. Being chiefly made of wood carved into a divine form which substantiates the Buddhist’s perspective of enlightenment and boundless compassion, the sculpture of ‘The Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva of Compassion’ stands lightly upon a lotus footstool to imply humility of remaining on ground or at lower state to guide men towards salvation.

It highly reflects the prevailing theme at the time in which Japan took pride in its genius through the fields of religion, philosophy, art, and rich literature. While the fundamental color of brilliance is perceived through the coating to designate in equilibrium the simplicity of brightness through wood carving, the Hindu sculpture has, among the revered gods Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, and some others, on the contrary been worked using stone or hard rock medium to enhance the proper locus of the aspects with light.

A rare sculpture of ‘Vishnu’ seated on a Naga coil under the five hoods of the serpent deity is stone-made. Found at the Nithyakalyanaswamy temple at Thiruvidanthai, the statue is said to date from the Vijayanagara period during the 17th century. Contrary to the standing position of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Vishnu is depicted sitting in a relaxed posture to signify an aura of meditative heights achieved. This ‘Vishnu on Naga Coil’ is well-adorned as opposed to the plain appearance of the Buddhist sculpture.

Being considered as the ‘Supreme god’ in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, the symbolic statue reflects him as the all-pervading essence of all beings and this is a strong ground for sculpting Vishnu in a manner that exhibits details rich in adornments and are defined under perfect human features, except for bearing four arms. Not having any earth-related object by him suggests how Vishnu’s state is one that is severely distant from men and this further indicates no sign of humility unlike in the case of the bodhisattva.

Though his divinity radiates opulence of things by which he could sustain and govern the universe as the ‘Preserver’, the sculpture seemingly lacks the essence of purity. In one of the modifications made for the structure of Vishnu with the same serpent deity, the presence of Lakshmi, his consort, heavily coated with gold altogether gives a manifestation of extreme wealth and power. Its lavish creation of curves and lines inlaid on the golden stone medium occur to characterize immortal possession of authority and matter, transcending the significant idea behind misery or suffering, a major part in Buddhist principle of attaining pure divinity.

Such design with Vishnu and similar Hindu gods mirrors the equivalent aspect in Indian culture of observing colorful festive traditions abounding in food, clothing, ceremonies, and other stuffs of various kinds. On the other hand, Though the ‘Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva of Compassion’ primarily consists of wood, the sophisticated carvings and the countenance which appears to possess a blend of gold and bronze external coating, aimed to bring about a wholly essential color, suggests subtle prominence while depicting the purpose of identifying a bodhisattva by nature.

The smooth lines of the sculpture were fashioned such that the strokes exude a character with humble gesture, one with which no trace of rigidity can be detected. In the absence of conspicuous edges in its shape all throughout, the eleven-headed Kannon may be readily claimed to have been so intentionally brought to the gentlest of forms. ‘Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva of Compassion’ ‘Vishnu’ Seated on a Naga Coil Under the Five Hoods of the Serpent Deity Works Cited “Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva of Compassion (From Japan).

” Creativity Resource for Teachers. 2011. 11HeadedBodhisattva_ECE.pdf. 11 July 2011. “Hindu God Vishnu Statues and Sculpture.” 14 Nov 2008. http://blog.shalincraft-india.com/2008/11/hindu-god-vishn.html. 12 July 2011.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Compare the Hindu and Buddhist styles of representing divinity Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/other/1428161-compare-the-hindu-and-buddhist-styles-of
(Compare the Hindu and Buddhist Styles of Representing Divinity Essay)
https://studentshare.org/other/1428161-compare-the-hindu-and-buddhist-styles-of.
“Compare the Hindu and Buddhist Styles of Representing Divinity Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/other/1428161-compare-the-hindu-and-buddhist-styles-of.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Compare the Hindu and Buddhist styles of representing divinity

Buddhism and Hinduism in Comparision

Buddhism in the Image of Art and in Doctrine Art in style and form of representing divinity is one notable characteristic that distinguishes Buddhism from Hinduism.... While the fundamental color of brilliance is perceived through the coating to designate in equilibrium the simplicity of brightness through wood carving, the hindu sculpture has, among the revered gods Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, and some others, on the contrary been worked using stone or hard rock medium to enhance the proper locus of the aspects with light....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

The Making of Buddhist Modernism

In the paper “The Making of buddhist Modernism” the author analyzes separation of worldly materials, rituals, ceremonies, and other widely practiced traditions, which may be taken as binding culture and practices, which are dispensable and sometimes inconvenient to practice it in daily life....
4 Pages (1000 words) Assignment

The Art of Jepanese Buddhist

During the early stages of Heian period, architecture and buddhist art significantly influenced the traditional Shinto arts and Hindu art.... Subject Date The Art of Japanese buddhist Buddhism can be defined as “a religion indigenous only to the Indian subcontinent, its composed of several traditions, practices and beliefs largely basing their teachings on Buddha also known as Siddhartha Gautama meaning the awakened one” (Kim 276).... “buddhist art originated from Indian subcontinents, with contact from other cultures all over Asia and passage of time....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Hindu and Budhist thought

Hinduism, on the other hand, is a representative of a diverse and broad philosophy imbedded within the hindu religion.... However, the term has continued to be used since it is quite on the stance separating Hindu thinkers from the sikh thinkers and the buddhist.... According to philosophers, the buddhist path is interpreted as leading a moral life, being mindful, as well as being aware of actions and thoughts and being able to develop understanding and wisdom....
5 Pages (1250 words) Term Paper

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism

Similarly, the buddhist engage in detailed prayers which are intimate to show dedication to God.... Hinduism is a religion predominantly practiced in India which emphasizes dharma with different rituals and traditions.... Buddhism is a tradition that teaches the adherents on their personal… Sikhism on the other hand is the religion that has simple and practical guidelines that are set by the Gurus to outline the way Sikhs should live....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Concept of the Buddhist Religion

The entrance of Buddhism brought a steady decline and an end to China's Buddhism Importation The buddhist religion first entered into China from India through missionaries and traders.... buddhist Philosophy in India and Ceylon.... There was a Silk Road would connect China and Europe during the late Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD)....
1 Pages (250 words) Research Paper

Treatment of Foreign Workers in Saudi Arabia

This report "Treatment of Foreign Workers in Saudi Arabia” ascertains that more than half of the total workforce in the kingdom is made up of foreigners, whose basic rights are often grossly violated by employers, which becomes a reason for the intervention of Human rights organizations.... hellip; Saudi government invited a Human Rights Watch delegation to visit the kingdom....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

Analysis of Buddhism as Religion

Buddhism is one of the prominent religions in Asia.... It is believed that Buddhism began in B.... .... 563.... Perhaps Buddhism is the only religion that considers all kinds of killing as sin.... It should be noted that while most of the other faiths consider the killing of humans as a sin… Buddhists believe in karma and rebirth....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us