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Tyler Bitz
LAS341-AA
Professor Barr
29 January, 2015
Shiva, Lord of the Dance and the Buddhist Wheel of Existence
Shiva, Lord of the Dance is a representation of Hinduism (11th century,
India) on the left side of the chart. It’s compared too the Buddhist Wheel of Life,
which represents Buddhism (1800’s, Eastern Tibetan) on the right side of the
chart. They are similar in their purpose of their representation of the perspective
pieces. However, the cultures, beliefs and things like the place and time vary in
large way. Although the purpose of these two pieces, representing two different
religions have giant purpose and similar goals; being instructional to groups of
people.
The religions and followers that these two very different pieces represent
are totally different religions from different time periods and areas of the world.
Buddhism is generally young in a sense of existence compared to Hinduism.
Buddhism, “the right way of living” has been around and practiced since the early
1800’s. It originates from Eastern Tibetan, which is on the southwest portion of
China and expands to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Hinduism was created in the
11th century and has obviously been around a lot longer than Buddhism. That is
a difference of nearly 600 years. About 1,500 miles separate Easter Tibetan and
India, where Hinduism was formed. To compare that distance to anything, think
that 1,300 or so miles separate Miami, Florida to Detroit, Michigan.
Both religions, Buddhism and Hinduism, are also very different when it
comes to their text and beliefs as it relates to their God. Furthermore, the
Buddhism text Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta was the first form of text, which
was recorded as the first from of teaching from the Buddha after attending
enlightenment. Buddha taught the basic framework of the religion through
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta when he taught and told his followers the four
noble truths. Meanwhile, Hinduism uses a text called Vedas, which obviously are
the oldest form of Hindu text. These texts were written down over 2,500 years
ago. As I keep covering things that are different when comparing the religions
that the two pieces, Shiva Lord of Dance and Buddhism Wheel of Life, represent
I will show one the difference in the following that people of these respected
religions followed when it pertains to their God or Gods. Hinduism followers
follow Vishnu as their leader or God. He is regarded too as “the Supreme God”.
However, in Buddhism they don’t have a “Supreme God” because of their
process of reincarnation. Reincarnation, referred to as “samsara” in the
Buddhism view is the process where the soul is reborn over and over again.
Humans reap the benefits of action in a good or bad realm; it also applies to the
leader of Buddhism.
While one looks at the two pieces, Shiva Lord of Dance and Buddhism
Wheel of Life, and the two different religions they represent, Buddhism and
Hinduism, it may be easy to see the many differences but I don’t think that’s
important. What is important, is that these pieces and religions stand for
purposeful instructional to groups of people that are made up of millions around
the world today and back when they were founded in their perspective areas.
They both give their followers ways of seeking and finding salvation through the
following of Buddhism and Hinduism. From the Hinduism standpoint, marga
leads you through a path of three things that will ultimately lead one to salvation.
The first part of marga bhakti marga, is a primary path to salvation through
devotion, love and faith. This devotion is to certain Gods. The second part of
marga, jnana marga, is the primary path to salvation through knowledge. This is
also used in a philosophical state through things like yoga, which we’ve now
practiced several times in class, which brings a certain amount of focus on the
task at hand and the moment by which we are living. Therefore, it is a way of
meditation. The last part of marga, karma marga, which relies to the practice still
preached today that you reach your salvation through ones actions. One is
expected to perform their daily obligations without a selfish manner and isn’t
supposed to be sinful. Meanwhile, if one wants to find their salvation through
Buddhism they take a different path called “magga”. Magga follows a guideline
that includes wisdom, ethical conduct and meditation. Wisdom is looked upon as
having the “right view” and “right intention”. One is expected to view reality as it
is, not how it appears and they are expected to have the intention or aspirations
of harmlessness, freedom, and renunciation. Second, the magga looks at ethical
conduct in its journey of salvation. The ethical conduct looks at having the “right
speech”, “right action”, and “right livelihood”. This means that one is expected to
speak in a truthful and non-hurtful way, act in a harmless way, and live a nonharmful life. Lastly, the meditation part of the path to salvation in Buddhism is
also broken up in three different categories. In class, we’ve looked at how
contemplation and more importantly meditation can have some very positive
effects on the body. It really forces your body and mind to control and focus on
the now instead of the past or future. They look at having the “right effort”, “right
mindfulness”, and “right concentration”. What they mean is to make an effort to
improve, being aware of things with a clear conscious, and practicing the correct
way of meditation.
Now, back to the topic of this paper; the two pieces, Shiva as Lord of
Dance and Buddhism the Wheel of Existence. Comparing the two in size and
make in incomparable. Ok, maybe they are comparable but they are very
different in this sense. The Shiva as Lord of Dance stands a whopping twentysix inches tall which is a little over two feet. This piece is made of copper alloy.
In comparison, the Buddhist Wheel of Life is a ginormous nine and half feet tall
(111.5 inches) and six and a half feet wide (80 inches). That’s obviously a little
bigger than the copper alloy structure that represents the Lord of Dance.
However, the pieces do flash some similarities. For example, one could notice
that both pieces are circular and they could resemble that humans are stuck
inside the universe. Also, these pieces represent and express different realms of
the religion on them. It’s crucial to understand that both of these religions
believed that it was important to selfless but they also had great emphasis on a
detachment between one and material things. Wouldn’t that be crazy in some
peoples lives today? Back to the point, for example, the Wheel of Life. If one is
too look at what is represented on the Wheel of Life they’d realize that the six
domains of desire are on there. Deva (the God), asura (the jealous God),
manussa (the human), tiryagyoni (the animal), preta (the hungry ghost), and
naraka (the hell) are all represented on the Wheel of Life. If one were to look at
the Lord of Dance piece they’d notice some that pertain to Shiva and the Hindu
beliefs. For example, the Shiva Nataraja piece is shown to symbolize Shiva’s
role as creator, preserver, and destroyer. Held in his right hand in the hand drum
that is sign and sounds of creation (damaru). The outer circular ring on the
exterior is the sign of removing fear, instead protecting and preserving (abjaya).
The “agni” on the outside of the ring is the consuming fire of dynamic destruction.
His right leg is represented as the ignorable personification of illusion (apasmara
purusha). His left leg that is in a kicking motion represents the refuge for
troubled souls (gaja hasta). Finally, the “prabhamandala” is the set visual limits
of this complex but symbolizes boundaries of cosmos.
While one can go on and on about these two very unique and
relevant religions and all the differences and few similarities they have I believe
it’s important to see and respect what they stand for individually. Each piece,
Shiva Lord of Dance and Buddhism Wheel of Existence, are pieces to the their
people that represent more than a art piece but a sign of our universe and how
we’re on it to make positive impact and find our true salvation. I by no means am
a expert on either piece or religion but it’s easy to gain a understanding and
respect for what they are and all the people they instruct world wide.