Bodhisattva

Hinduism and Buddhism both have emerged in the Indian landmass;moreover, they share common religious beliefs while still having many differences. They both have different paths to enlightenment, believe suffering is caused by extreme attachment to objects and people of the outside world, and practice various forms of meditation. We can even refer to the common connection by thinking back on Buddha whom was raised in a common Hindu family, and before finding his own answers had asked for help by…

Asia is home to many extravagant religious statues. From Japan to Bangkok, to the far away Lantau Island in Hong Kong; each historical landmark represents what once was a triumphant feat. These giant artistic and religious symbols of Great Buddhas have all made an impact not only in the past, but remain a cultural icon for many of the individuals who live near it today. The Great Buddha of Kamakura sits outdoors in the green lands of Kamakura, Japan. Specifically, it is located “in the…

impressed by it’s beauty. As soon as I walked up the stairs from the parking lot, I was amazed yet overwhelmed by the sheer size of the temple. There were many things to see during my visit, as the temple features a variety of facilities such as a Bodhisattva Hall, garden, tea room, art gallery, meditation hall, harmony hall, and memorial pagoda. While making my way around Hsi Lai Temple, I was greeted by kind volunteers and felt at peace due to the quiet ambiance, lingering smell of incense,…

hands and pedestal. However, these two objects also have some differences as well. First of all, you can see the height of these two objects is different. The one Yakushi Nyorai is half height compared to Bodhisattva. So it was more difficult to create details in Yakushi Nyorai. But the Bodhisattva is a big sculpture, it takes a longer time to go through the…

Buddhism," an esoteric extension of Buddhist thought and practice which sees itself as a quicker, more effective path to enlightenment. As with Mahayana Buddhism, the Vajrayana emphasizes the role of the bodhisattva, but the tradition tends to favor fierce deities, and significantly expands the bodhisattva pantheon. Vajrayana ritual and devotion employs mantras, mandalas , and other rituals. Much emphasis is placed on the role of the guru in the Vajrayana; these are religious teachers who have…

All of the Buddhas that have existed are equally as important as the next. Originally known as Siddhartha Gautama the commencing Buddha’s destiny is to be a light of knowledge to end the dark illusions of the world [ Life of the Buddha I . 74 ]. Bodhisattva is a semi-divine figure; one who procures enlightenment [ Life of the Buddha XIII. 67 ]. He delivers those afflicted with sorrow and provides a path for those who have lost his or her way [ Life of the Buddha I. 77 ]. Buddha is unique…

Within Buddhism the key beliefs of impermanence and selflessness are reinforced as integral parts of human experience through various rituals and ethical teachings. In particular, the ritual of Vesak and bioethical teachings are significant in reminding individual Buddhist adherents of the importance of celebrating Buddha, as well understanding that all human experience undergoes a constant transformation towards enlightenment. Integral aspects of Vesak rituals reflect these principal…

Artists began to create human images of Buddha. The first of these being Bodhisattvas which were again the past lives of the Buddha. Some of Buddha’s past lives included noblemen and princes which artists sometimes took to elaborate heights.However, once human images were made soon followed creations of the historical Buddha. Here…

‘Dalai Lama’ the manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion a central figure who has made social, cultural and scriptual impacts in the Buddhist society. In the same way a crucial aspect of Buddhism is the understandings towards its stance on ethical teachings and the personal responsibility…

This piece of artwork is known as Buddha Amoghasiddhi with Eight Bodhisattvas, it was created by an unknown artist in the Medieval Period, around 1200-1250. This painting is 27 1/8 x 21 1/4 in. and made with distemper on cloth. Looking at this image, the first thing you notice is Amoghasiddhi. He is the focal point, which is depicted by the size of the figure in comparison to the other figures surrounding him. On each side of the Buddha we see the same amount of figures, this gives off a sense…