Download Michael Nathanson ART 160A Assignment 1 May 21, 2016 Abstract

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Michael Nathanson
ART 160A
Assignment 1
May 21, 2016
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Abstract
This paper focuses on key similarities and differences between Buddhism, Hinduism, and
Jainism, particularly focusing on the path to divinity, throughout South Asia and how those ideas
are represented through architecture. This paper uses Dharma (2016) and Dehijia (1997) to
support key concepts.
Keywords: Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Architecture, South Asia
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Main
Ontology is the branch of Metaphysics dealing with the nature of being and many
cultures throughout history have focused on answering associated questions using religion.
While ancient western cultures believed in many deities Abrahamic cultures focus on a single
deity. Dharmic culture, home to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism has many deities who can
change form and purpose similar to ancient western culture yet contrast by believing that divinity
is inside of us. Dharmic culture is very popular in South Asia with beliefs centralized around the
path to achieve divinity as it is believed we are not separate from the divine but rather our goal is
to become divine. While Buddhism and Jainism claim there is a single path to divinity through
spiritual rituals and religious belief Hinduism claims both ritualistic and experimental paths.
Paths to divinity are expressed in South Asian architecture where structure symbolizes
the path. In south India many structures resemble the human body depicting the path as a
journey through various sections of the body. “Treatises on architecture in Southern India
describe a path to experiencing the divine in a metaphorical journey of human birth and death”
(Dharma 2016). Such architecture represents a journey from the world we live in each day to an
internal world where we may find the divine. Emphasis on human form is further expressed by
the fact that the proportions match those of the human body demonstrating human connection
with divinity. The path goes through the human as in; we must take this path through our own
conscience and soul rather than through an external being. Deities live in the temple, often
placed at the end of the site, representing human heart and mind. “The heart is a point to pause
where the devotee perambulates around where the deities are housed […] the mind represents the
most important room in the temple - the seat of the main deity where ritualistic prayers are
offered” (Dharma 2016). Through deep thought and emotional journey we can attain divinity.
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Paths described by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism are all shown in the region’s architecture
as offerings to the deities represent a path by religious belief yet housing the deities in the mind
indicates a path by experimentation and thought. Still, both paths indicate we are not separate
from the divine and need to journey through our feet to our heart and mind to see and find
divinity.
While the paths symbolically end in the same result, style differs. Whereas Hindu
temples often display traditional myths Buddhist temples often present references to Buddha. In
Buddhist architecture the Pagoda represents Buddha and the beliefs held by Buddhists. “The
pagoda represents the form of a seated and meditating Buddha. The more abstract symbolism
represent universal elements showing the unity of nature , and the qualities that humans should
aspire to attain” (Dharma 2016). As Buddhism presents a single path to divinity through
religious practice and rituals, the focus on Buddha remains consistent with this single path. For
example, In the Golden Temple of Dambulla, Sri Lanka, Buddha is depicted many times both in
sculptural and painted form. Since Buddha is seen as a deity in South Asia, worshipping images
of Buddha is allowed and aids in the path. Additionally ancient Indian Emperor Ashoka strove to
bring Buddha into his people’s lives. “His intention was to bring the Buddha’s presence into the
midst of his citizenry” (Dehejia, 1997). Buddha is a central portion of the path and is thus
emphasized in architecture and culture. However, in contrast many Hindu temples depict a
variety of images. “The architectural plan of the Sun Temple in Odisha, India is rich in detailed
sculptural decorations depicting celestial, human, animal, and demonic forms as part of the cycle
of life” (Dharma 2016). More diverse images further push Hindu beliefs of multiple paths, both
ritualistic and experimental. In general while both religions’ architecture is influenced by their
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respective paths the differences in path correlate with differences in architectural design and
artwork.
The belief that we can achieve divinity is crucial to religious beliefs throughout the
region and the path influences architectural choices giving necessary insight to cultural practices
which supports better understanding and appreciation.
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References
Sharma, M. (2016). Seeing The Divine – Love, Devotion, Freedom, Discipline – Divergent
Dehijia, V. (1997, December 17). Indian Art. Retrieved May 20, 2016 from
http://asianart.class.arizona.edu/sites/asianart.class.arizona.edu/files/2_Dahejia-1.pdf