Art and Religion:
Hinduism : The
word Hinduism was introduced in the 19th century to
define the aggregate beliefs of the Arya, immigrants
who left Central Asia in 1500 BC, and animist religions
of native populations in India.
Basic concepts. Cosmic law rules the good order of the
world, be aware and respect cosmic law. Lead the life
of a good Hindu, observe rules, perform all rites, accept
the caste of birth. Caste system supplies code of conduct
and rites done. Encompasses all parts of life; rites
but also who to take drink from, associate with, marry,
etc.
Principles of Hinduism : Dharma
religious law and moral code by which people can earn
enlightenment. Karma is the life balance of action and
reaction; individuals responsible for decisions and
consequences. Leading good Hindu life will bring rebirth
into a better life. Samsara is cycle of reincarnations
determined by karma. Moksha is liberation from samsara;
individual unites with universal timelessness, ultimate
serenity, nirvana. Path to moksha is good Hindu life.
Buddhism
:
Based on meditations of GAUTAMA SIDDHARTA, also called
Sakyamuni (wise man of the Sakya clan) and later the
Buddha (Enlightened one). Philosophical doctrine and
code of conduct. Based on the three jewels, Buddha himself,
dharma, Buddha's teachings and prescribed conduct, and
sangha the community.
Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal around 544 BC. Son
of raja (title for rulers and wealthy landlords) who
sought reason for human misery. Left his family and
experimented and traveled; found enlightenment through
meditation at Bodh Gaya. Dharma is the doctrine of four
truths discovered through meditation.
1. Existence is unhappiness.
2. Everything in life brings suffering, birth, responding
to needs and death. Origin of suffering is in needs,
wants and desires of men and being attached to material
values (illusions of the senses).
3. Unhappiness is caused by selfish cravings or passions.
4. Selfish cravings can be eliminated by renunciation
desires and following the eight-fold path:
1. Right views, understanding and vision
2. Right purpose, aspiration and intention
3. Right speech
4. Right vocation and honest livelihood
5. Right conduct and action
6. Right effort and dedication
7. Right alertness and mindfulness
8. Right concentration and meditation.
Sangha is community of Buddhists. Used to mean monastic
community but concept broadened. Showing the path to
enlightenment.
About 100 years after Buddha's death, communities disagreed
and split over ways to achieve enlightenment. Traditional
school of Theravada Buddhists follows Buddha's original
teachings. Mahayana school accepts some changes, various
ways to enlightenment (became Zen).
Scripts appeared also introducing changes. Deification
of Buddha, and separation between mortal Buddha like
Siddharta who will reappear, and transcendental ones
which are only understood through meditation (Dhyani
Buddhas). While enlightenment reached through individual
effort, idea spread that meditation Buddhas give merit
to those who worship them. Bodhisattvas are humans who
reached enlightenment but instead of joining nirvana
chose to help others reach enlightenment.
Tantrism
:
Movement from with the Mahayana school appeared in first
century AD in fringe areas of India. Hindus and Buddhists
came into contact with animist religions and integrated
beliefs and practices. Yoga, physical exercises to control
body functions, mantras, repetitive utterances, bijas,
magic syllables, use of designs and objects such as
mandala and dorje. Transformed into Lamaism which penetrated
also into Nepal. Purpose was to shorten the road to
enlightenment with such practices.
Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheels take prayers to the sky,
to the divinities. Idea that movement creates power.
Prayer wheels rotated clockwise to send mantra to the
divinities. Usually brass cylinder with pre-Sanskrit
script, ranja, writing. The wheel contains parchment
like paper upon which the Tibetan incantation OM MANI
PADME HUM (image top) is repeatedly printed.
Vajra or Dorje
looks like two crowns with bases attached by a metal
ball. Each crown has four outer spokes and one inner
spoke to represent the meditation Buddhas, united at
the top to convey that they are but one. Means "thunderbolt"
symbolic attribute of Hindu god Indra who is the divine
power of natural forces, and the "diamond",
the substance that is translucent and unbreakable. The
Dorje is primarily a symbol of power but is also a representation
of the male.
Ghanta, the bell is bronze and topped with crown shaped
handle. The bell symbolizes the female. In a metaphysical
sense, male represents knowledge and female represents
wisdom. Both important to rituals.
Statues and temples for Buddha or to Bodhisattvas.
Chaitya, a somewhat conical stone structure, shrines
for gratitude or worship. Always show four statues representing
each of the dhyana-Buddhas or meditation Buddhas.
Facing north, Buddha Amogasiddhi with right hand upward
and palms outward to express fearlessness and blessing
(associated with green).
Facing east, Buddha Akshobya, right hand outstretched
with fingers touching earth calling Earth-goddess to
witness that Buddha resisted temptations put forth by
demon Mara who was trying to lure him away from his
meditations. Also thought of as calling to witness Buddha's
deserving supreme enlightenment. (blue)
Facing south, Buddha Ratnasambhawa with right hand palm
outward to express compassion. yellow
Facing west, Buddha Amithaba, two hands folded, resting
on lap in meditation. red.
Some chaityas or scrolls show a fifth central figure,
the Buddha Vairocana who is above or in the middle of
the previously mentioned four. Hands folded in front
of chest he is perfect sovereignty as "turning
the wheel of the Buddhist doctrine." white.
Another common Buddhist statue is that of the Tara,
either white or green Tara. Were the two wives of Srong
Tsam Gampo, King of Tibet that they converted to their
faith, Buddhism. Deified.
Bodhisattvas honored often are Padmapani, holds a lotus
flower and is master or reincarnations. Manjushri is
honored as bearer of wisdom by Buddhists and Hindus.
Holds book of knowledge in left hand and a sword to
strike ignorance with right.
A historical look demonstrates that artistic expression
reflects the religious and ethnic diversity within the
valley. Nepalese art became prominent in the 13th century
through the work of Balbahu, also known as Arniko, an
architect for the king of Tibet and possibly the Emperor
of China.
Nepalese art is
recognized for its candour, simplicity and harmony balanced
with intricacy and decoration. The Malla dynasty promoted
all forms of artistic expression from the 14th to the
19th centuries. Tibetan forms of expression influenced
art in the valley beginning in the 17th century. Tantric
and Buddhist themes introduced greater differentiation
between Nepalese and Indian art. |
