Easily confused Buddhist representations are images or statues that may resemble the mortal, historical Buddha known as Siddh?rtha Gautama, ??kyamuni, or Tath?gata (or others), but were actually created to represent other individuals.
Depictions could be Gautama, or a bodhisattva, guardian, protector, disciple, or saint. Clues to a figure's identity are found in, for example, the physical characteristics of the Buddha, the objects the figure is holding, its mudra (hand gesture), and asana (sitting or standing position of the body). There may be an image in the figure's crown, or the figure could be holding a book, thunderbolt, vase, jewel, or lotus flower or stem.
Mandalas created for Japanese Shingon Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism can contain hundreds of different figures that may need interpretation. In his paper on the mudr?s of bodhisattvas, Carl B. Becker, Kyoto University professor, describes the situation:
When the uninitiated observer first confronts the Buddhist pantheon [of Japan], his reaction may border on bewilderment or dismay. Far from the ascetic agnosticism taught by Gautama, Buddha-like deities are available to answer every material or spiritual need. They wear regal robes or deerskins; they sit, stand, or fly; they have their own s?tras, temples, and guardians....
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Dhyani Buddhas
Representations of the five Dhyani Buddhas, who are abstract aspects of Buddhahood rather than Buddhas or gods, have elaborate differences. Each must face in a different direction (north, south, east, west, or center), and, when painted, each is a different color (blue, yellow, red, green, or white). Each has a different mudr? and symbol; embodies a different aspect, type of evil, and cosmic element; has a different consort and spiritual son, as well as different animal vehicles (elephant, lion, peacock, harpys or garuda, or dragon).
Vairocana, the first Dhyani Buddha, embodying sovereignty and occupying the center, is a special case (in any case, he is distinct from Gautama and not normally confused with him). He was one of the Buddhas of Bamiyan blown up by the Taliban which China mourned and tried to replace with the world's tallest statue, named Spring Temple Buddha. Japanese Pure Land Buddhists think that Vairocana and the other Dhyani Buddhas are manifestations of Amit?bha, but Japanese Shingon Buddhists think that Amit?bha and the other Dhyani Buddhas are manifestations of Vairocana.
Akshobhya, the second Dhyani Buddha who embodies steadfastness and faces east, and Gautama are indistinguishable. Both can be seated in the Vajraparyanka (also known as Bh?mispar?a) pose, with the right hand on the right knee, palm turned inwardly, and middle finger touching the ground. Amit?bha (Japanese: Amida) is the most ancient Dhyani Buddha, embodying light and facing west, and is the central figure in Pure Land Buddhism. A statue of Amit?bha, when seated, has a samadhi mudr? with both palms face up, on top of each other, in his lap.
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Bodhisattvas
Budai (in Chinese, or Hotei in Japanese) is often confused with Gautama or is thought to have originated Buddhism. He is an incarnation of the bodhisattva and future Buddha, Maitreya, who will come to Earth 4,000 years after Gautama disappears. His name means "Cloth Sack" for the bag of sweets he carries, eats and gives to children. Admired for his happiness and contentment, he is known in Chinese as "The Laughing Buddha" and sometimes in English as "The Fat Buddha".
Images of Avalokite?vara, the bodhisattva of compassion, might be mistaken for Gautama. He is incarnated in the Dalai Lama, who is a tulku and the most revered Tibetan Buddhist monk.
Gautama
Gautama might have representations in a hundred different attitudes or positions, of which four follow.
See also
- Iconography of Gautama Buddha in Laos and Thailand
References
- Hawkins, Bradley K. (1999). The Pocket Idiot's Guide: Buddhism. Laurence King (Penguin, Alpha). ISBN 0-02-864459-X.
- Sakya, Jnan Bahadur (compiler) (2002) [1995]. Short Description of Gods, Goddesses and Ritual Objects of Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal (10th [reprint] ed.). Handicraft Association of Nepal. ISBN 99933-37-33-1.
- Sjoquist, Douglas P. (Winter 1999). "Identifying Buddhist Images in Japanese Painting and Sculpture". Education About Asia. Association for Asian Studies. 4 (3).
Notes
External links
Slides
- Huntington, John C. "Mudras in Pan-Asian Buddhism, Part 1: Primary Mudras of the Major Buddhas". SlideShare.
- Coutu, Earnest. "Buddhist Mudras". SlideShare.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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