Hinduism is not the only religion that expresses their relationship with the divine through symbolic expressions that provide direction in life. Buddhism as well, uses symbolism through ancient stories, artwork, or sacred texts to depict their similar relationship to the divine that Hindu’s have. There are various depictions of Buddha, each with different meanings. There are five transcendent Buddhas of esoteric Buddhism, one of them being Akshobhya as seen in the sculpture.[1] Similar to the sculpture of Shiva, this sculpture of Buddha uses symbolism to portray the messages and beliefs that Buddha taught. Buddha taught a way of life, and similar to the relationship with the divine in Hinduism, Buddha serves as direction and guidance towards achieving true and meaningful happiness. Buddha teaches this not only through symbolism in artwork, but through stories and his teachings. The Akshobhya (the transcendent Buddha of the East) now located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is full of symbolism.[2] The five Buddhas each represent their own message. Akshobhya Buddha translates to the “immovable one”. This name comes from the story about the vow that he took before Buddha once reaching enlightenment. The vow was to always overcome “passions such as anger and hatred towards other beings.”[3] Once he achieved Buddha status and reached enlightenment, he was given the responsibility of the eastern paradise Abhirati. Sankskrit for this area can be translated to the land of the joyous. Thus, Akshobhya is the Buddha that represents loving one another and peace.
In the sculpture, the Buddha sits on top of a lotus flower representing steadfastness. His symbol, the Vajra, which is a thunderbolt scepter, is in the center of the throne front. The Vajra can be interpreted in various ways. It “denotes enlightenment, the indestructible, adamantine nature of pure consciousness, or the essence of Reality. In some traditions the vajra signifies the union of man and the Buddha…”[4] In the sculpture Buddha sits in a position called the “protection Buddha” which signifies courage and bravery, protection against fear, delusion, and anger.[5] This relates back to his vow he made to Buddha about overcoming anger and hatred towards others. This is similar to the dancing Shiva because Shiva Nataraja’s specific positioning of the legs and arms represent specific traits for believers to follow. Also similar to the relationship with the divine in Hinduism, Buddha wrote out teachings that serve as guidelines to a successful life. Buddha believes in The Four Noble Truths, which consist of, “1. There is Suffering Suffering is common to all. 2. Cause of suffering We are the cause of our suffering. 3. End of Suffering Stop doing what causes suffering. 4. Path to end Suffering Everyone can be enlightened.” [6]
Even though both religions use textual evidence to help believers please God, both religions have different ways of going about this. Buddha believes one must suffer in order to fully attain happiness- as said in the four noble truths. Both religions have dharma, which are ones religious duties to god. Both religions have different duties. In Buddhism, their dharma duties are referred to as The Noble Eightfold Path. This consists of, Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right concentration. This is just one of a few differences between Buddhism and Hinduism. They also worship different texts that discuss their different beliefs. But both are believed to make one closer with the divine.[7] When worshipping the divine, the two religions go about doing so in different ways. Certain sects of Buddhism do not believe in worshipping Buddha in the form of images and icons out of respect for Buddha’s higher being. In Hinduism, visual representations of their god’s are used by everybody to worship and pray. Lastly, while in Buddhism, the end goal is to rid ones self of suffering and pain, Hinduism does not believe this to be of such great importance. In Hinduism, people follow Arthras, which are four goals to achieve. These consist of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.[8] Despite their differences in values and beliefs, the visual and written representation of Buddhism depicts how symbolism is a crucial form of communication in multiple religions especially Hinduism, as it brings the worshipper and the divine closer.
Despite these differences, the sculpture of Buddha Akshobhya uses symbolism to connect with the worshippers. The sculpture is an example of the visual representation of symbolism, but similar to Hindu, Buddhists follow sacred texts that have guidelines on how to live a successful life. While their beliefs are different, they have a similar relationship to Hindu’s with the divine because of their similar ways of communicating between each other - through symbolism.
[1] http://cubuddhism.pbworks.com/w/page/24834076/Akshobhya , 2010
[2] Metropolitan Museum of Art, http://metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006349?rpp=20&pg=2&ft=buddhism&pos=30, 1979
[3] http://cubuddhism.pbworks.com/w/page/24834076/Akshobhya , 2010
[4] http://www.akshoo.net/name.html
[5] Buddha Garden,Buddha Poses and Postures: The Meanings of Buddha Statues http://www.thebuddhagarden.com/blog/buddha-poses/
[6] Instilling Goodness School, Following the Buddha’s Footsteps http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm
[7] Instilling Goodness School, Following the Buddha’s Footsteps http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm
[8] Instilling Goodness School, Following the Buddha’s Footsteps http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm
In the sculpture, the Buddha sits on top of a lotus flower representing steadfastness. His symbol, the Vajra, which is a thunderbolt scepter, is in the center of the throne front. The Vajra can be interpreted in various ways. It “denotes enlightenment, the indestructible, adamantine nature of pure consciousness, or the essence of Reality. In some traditions the vajra signifies the union of man and the Buddha…”[4] In the sculpture Buddha sits in a position called the “protection Buddha” which signifies courage and bravery, protection against fear, delusion, and anger.[5] This relates back to his vow he made to Buddha about overcoming anger and hatred towards others. This is similar to the dancing Shiva because Shiva Nataraja’s specific positioning of the legs and arms represent specific traits for believers to follow. Also similar to the relationship with the divine in Hinduism, Buddha wrote out teachings that serve as guidelines to a successful life. Buddha believes in The Four Noble Truths, which consist of, “1. There is Suffering Suffering is common to all. 2. Cause of suffering We are the cause of our suffering. 3. End of Suffering Stop doing what causes suffering. 4. Path to end Suffering Everyone can be enlightened.” [6]
Even though both religions use textual evidence to help believers please God, both religions have different ways of going about this. Buddha believes one must suffer in order to fully attain happiness- as said in the four noble truths. Both religions have dharma, which are ones religious duties to god. Both religions have different duties. In Buddhism, their dharma duties are referred to as The Noble Eightfold Path. This consists of, Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right concentration. This is just one of a few differences between Buddhism and Hinduism. They also worship different texts that discuss their different beliefs. But both are believed to make one closer with the divine.[7] When worshipping the divine, the two religions go about doing so in different ways. Certain sects of Buddhism do not believe in worshipping Buddha in the form of images and icons out of respect for Buddha’s higher being. In Hinduism, visual representations of their god’s are used by everybody to worship and pray. Lastly, while in Buddhism, the end goal is to rid ones self of suffering and pain, Hinduism does not believe this to be of such great importance. In Hinduism, people follow Arthras, which are four goals to achieve. These consist of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.[8] Despite their differences in values and beliefs, the visual and written representation of Buddhism depicts how symbolism is a crucial form of communication in multiple religions especially Hinduism, as it brings the worshipper and the divine closer.
Despite these differences, the sculpture of Buddha Akshobhya uses symbolism to connect with the worshippers. The sculpture is an example of the visual representation of symbolism, but similar to Hindu, Buddhists follow sacred texts that have guidelines on how to live a successful life. While their beliefs are different, they have a similar relationship to Hindu’s with the divine because of their similar ways of communicating between each other - through symbolism.
[1] http://cubuddhism.pbworks.com/w/page/24834076/Akshobhya , 2010
[2] Metropolitan Museum of Art, http://metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006349?rpp=20&pg=2&ft=buddhism&pos=30, 1979
[3] http://cubuddhism.pbworks.com/w/page/24834076/Akshobhya , 2010
[4] http://www.akshoo.net/name.html
[5] Buddha Garden,Buddha Poses and Postures: The Meanings of Buddha Statues http://www.thebuddhagarden.com/blog/buddha-poses/
[6] Instilling Goodness School, Following the Buddha’s Footsteps http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm
[7] Instilling Goodness School, Following the Buddha’s Footsteps http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm
[8] Instilling Goodness School, Following the Buddha’s Footsteps http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm