Download Depictions of Buddha

Depictions of Buddha
• There are many different statues and paintings
of Siddartha Gautama, the Buddha.
• The reason for these different representations
is that Buddhism is typically absorbed into
other cultures.
(For example, Buddhism in China became
Chinese instead of China becoming Buddhist.)
Seated Buddha
• The Seated Buddha
represents Buddha
reaching
enlightenment
under the fig tree.
Obese, Laughing
Buddha
• The Obese, Laughing
Buddha is popular in China.
• This figure is believed to
be a representation of a
medieval Chinese monk and
therefore technically not a
Buddha image.
Emaciated Buddha
• The Emaciated Buddha, which shows
Siddhartha Gautama during his extreme
ascetic practice of starvation.
• Despite these specific cultural artistic
traditions, some fundamental standards for
Buddha statues remain a constant, and among
these are the various poses of the Buddha and
what those poses mean.
• These poses are called mudras.
Mudras
• Mudras are ritualistic gestures and poses that
are used in both Buddhism and Hinduism,
reflecting their common Indian heritage.
• All statues of the Buddha represent him
performing one of the mudras. Many of the
mudras are depicted through simple hand
gestures, but others are full-body poses.
5 Most Common Mudras
• Abhaya mudra: right hand raised and palm
facing out, with the left hand down toward
the hips and also facing out, symbolizing
peaceful intentions and peacemaking;
• Bhumisparsha mudra: all five fingers of the
right hand reaching to touch the ground,
symbolizing the enlightenment of the Buddha
under the Bodhi tree
• Dhyana mudra: one or both hands in the lap,
symbolizing wisdom, possibly supplemented
by ritual objects such as an alms bowl
• Dharmachakra mudra (the thumb and index
finger of both hands touch at their tips to
form a circle, symbolizing the Wheel of
Dharma
• Varada mudra: both hands at waist level,
palms out, right hand up and left hand down
Activity Time!
• You will be given blank paper.
• Recreate the Buddha as you imagine him to
have been. Along with your drawing, write
50-100 words explaining your interpretation
of Buddha.