Download Assignment 1_Jimmy Haner - ART160A1: Introduction to South

Jimmy Haner
Sharma
Art 160A
May 22, 2016
Assignment #1
Religious and spiritual systems come from a basic understanding of how humans view
themselves in relation to their own existence in nature. In the world, there are two main views
that humans have with nature; dualistic and non-dualistic. Every culture, such as Ancient
Western, “Abrahamic”, and Dharmic, can be categorized as dualistic or non-dualistic. In the
south Asian region, Abrahamic and Dharmic cultures are widely present. The dharmic culture,
including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism religions, is a non-dualistic culture with an infinite
number of deities. Their belief is that we are not separate from the divine but it is our goal to
realize and become divine. Hinduism believes that there are many paths to achieve this goal
through ritualistic and experimental experiences, whereas Buddhism and Jainism believe that
there is only one specific pathway to righteousness.
The dharmic culture and beliefs can be further investigated through observations in their
art and architecture. In southern Asia, specifically India, Hindu architecture symbolizes the
journey toward the divine. The Hindu temples “describe a path to experiencing the divine in a
metaphorical journey of human birth and death, with the adobe of the divine being the heart and
the mind” (Sharma 29). The temples themselves resemble the human body with the correct
proportions that reflect the importance of each body part. It’s the journey through the body, an
external world, to the mind, an internal / other world, that leads us toward divinity. It is
interesting to note that these temples reflect the human body. When the place of worship
resembles the human body, it shows that religion / spiritual belief views the human body as
divine, or something equal to divinity. While Hinduism and Buddhism have some similarities, it
is their differences in their paths toward divinity that makes them unique. Hinduism typically
depicts traditional myths in some of their architecture, whereas Buddhist temples reference
Buddha through art and sculptures. Buddhists see the path toward divinity in a different view,
and their architecture and symbolism prove it. Unlike Hindu temples, Buddhist architecture show
stupas and pagodas as symbolism of Buddha; “The pagoda represents the form of a seated and
meditating Buddha” (Sharma 2016). A focus of Buddha is constant through the single path
towards divinity. In stupas, art and sculptures depicting Buddha are seen everywhere. These
depictions of Buddha assist one on the path toward divinity though worship. The artwork of
Buddha shows that it is completely fine, even encouraged to worship a deity such as Buddha.
Additionally, Buddhist stupas show more abstract symbolism of fundamental elements of nature:
Earth, water, fire, and wind. This shows that nature is a key idea in Buddhism and the path
toward divinity.
South Asia is not only home to non-dualistic cultures, but also dualistic cultures such as
Abrahmic which includes Christianity. Abrahmic cultures believe in one, all-powerful deity. In
Christianity, God is rarely depicted in art, but “stories of God and His teachings are depicted
widely in art” (Sharma 2016). Instead, Jesus, the son of God, is depicted in human form through
art. The architecture of Christians also reveals a lot about their beliefs. The churches symbolize
the body of Christ on the Crucifix where the alter of the church is symbolically placed where the
heart would be. Stained glass windows near the “head” also allow awe-inspiring “divine light” to
pass through on the worshipers. The art and architecture of Christians can show a lot about their
beliefs. Their art shows there is a strong connection to nature, as God is mostly depicted through
naturalistic items.
All of these religions and cultures in the south Asian region have similarities that unite
them, but also key differences that make them unique. History has influenced these similarities
and differences that we see today. Through all of these religions, nature has played a crucial role
in each belief system. Nature and humans have a special intertwining relationship as nature aids
on the path toward divinity. The realization that humans can reach divinity is an important idea
believed by all cultures in this region. Different art forms and architectural choices are made
through these ideas of nature, divinity, and the path to reach it. Studying these choices give us a
better insight to the multiple cultural and religious practices present that define this south Asian
lifestyle.
References
Sharma, M. (2016). Seeing The Divine – Love, Devotion, Freedom, Discipline – Divergent