Download “Theravada” is the earliest form of Buddhism

Suong Nguyen
HUN192.1383
April 17, 2007
Art and Symbolism in Religion: Theravada Buddhism
“Theravada” is the earliest form of Buddhism. “Thera” means old, and “vada”
means school. The word is sometimes translated as 'The Teaching of the Elders'. Its main
scriptures are contained in the Pali canon, which was written in the first century BCE. It
is common today to use a more neutral language to distinguish between the two main
branches of Buddhism. Because Theravada historically dominated southern Asia, it is
sometimes called "Southern" Buddhism, while Mahayana, which migrated northwards
from India into China, Tibet, Japan, and Korea, is known as "Northern" Buddhism
(Bullitt).
Buddhism is based upon the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince
born in approximately 563 BC. Siddhartha began his spiritual quest at the age of 29
which lead 6 years later to his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya in
northern India. He became known as Buddha. He lived to the age of about 80 and when
he died he had a following of approximately 500 disciples. There is no God in Buddhism,
rather by breaking the cycle of rebirth and achieving enlightenment Buddhists believe
they will reach the state of Nirvana. It is not a place, like the concept of heaven, but
rather a state of eternal being. It is the end of suffering, a state where there are no desires
and the individual consciousness has come to an end.
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In the earliest centuries of Theravada Buddhism, statues of the Buddha were not
used. Instead, Buddhist art consisted of images symbolizing the Buddha and his teachings,
such as the lotus, the Bodhi tree, the Buddha's footprints, and the Wheel of life.
“The Lotus Flower” which symbolizes both purity and enlightenment is a popular
motif in much Buddhist art and architecture and is very widely used in Theravada
Buddhist Art. “The Bodhi-tree” is symbolic of Buddha's enlightenment. At the age of
thirty-five, the Buddha sat beneath what is referred to as the Bodhi tree and it was there
where he finally achieved enlightenment. He had finally found that ineffable state of
perfect bliss and knowledge. The Bodhi tree image was retained and used in many later
examples of Buddhist art (About). According to Buddhist historical records, “Buddha's
footprints” are one of the early representations of the Buddha in the anticonic (no statues)
stage of Buddhist art. After the Buddha attained enlightenment, his feet made an imprint
in the stone where he stepped. In another tradition, the infant Buddha took seven steps
after his birth to symbolize his spiritual domination of the universe. The footprints of the
Buddha symbolize the Buddha's presence, as they are believed to be the imprints where
the Buddha actually touched the ground (Region Facts). 'The Wheel of the life"
illustrates the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The wheel is held by a demon named
Yama. He represents impermanence. In the center there is a cock, a snake and a pig.
These symbolise the evils of desire, hatred and delusion respectively, which obstruct the
way to enlightenment. Around them are five or six different sections. These show the
different circumstances in which one can be reborn, depending on ones past acts, which
are represented by the outside ring. These range from the carefree state of the gods to the
torments of hell.
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From the second century AD, Buddha began to be shown in human form. Scenes
showing the life of Buddha were as popular then as they are now. Their statues and
pictures of Buddha look very much the same. Posture is standard. Buddha is seen
standing, walking sitting or lying down. This is because they obey strict rules set out. In
Buddhist texts, from the third century AD, these cover things as the way the robes fall,
the direction the hair curls and the proportions of the body. Such things are important, as
Buddhist art is more than decorative. The tight curl of the hair is a sign of an important
man. Buddha's long earlobes are a sign that he came from a noble family.
The sitting Buddha's right hand touches the ground. This harks back to the time,
when meditating under the Bodhi tree, that Buddha was tormented by the demon Mara.
Buddha called on the earth by touching it to witness his determination not to move until
he had attained enlightenment. Thus that position shows that Buddha is unmoved by
worldly distractions.
Whether a person is before a shrine, in his home or in the shrine room of a temple,
a Buddhist will recite the three jewels and the five precepts to renew his commitment to
Buddhism. People will remove their shoes before entering a temple. In the shrine room in
front of an image of Buddha, they will usually bow three times with their hands together
in greeting. Each bow stands for the three jewels, Buddha, dharma and sangha. They may
light a candle or an incense stick, which are symbols of his enlightenment and make
offerings of flowers or food, as a sign of thankfulness and respect. In addition to reciting
the jewels and the precepts a Buddhist may pray, meditate or chant. Some will circle holy
places in a clockwise direction. Again this is symbolic. Buddha's followers circle him in
the same way that the planets circle the sun.
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For thousands of years artists have sought to convey Buddha's messages through
artistic forms. Painting, calligraphy, tapestry, architecture, statuary and sculpture have all
contributed to the richness of the Buddhist experience.
Theravada is the oldest surviving Buddist school, and for many centuries has been
the predominant religion of Sri Lanka, about 70% of the population, and continental
Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, parts of southwest China
and Bangladesh. It is also gaining popularity in Singapore and Australia. Today
Theravada Buddhists number over 100 million worldwide, and in recent decades
Theravada has begun to take root in the West.
Every religion contributes something to the world in general and in particular to
the world of art and architecture. Religious beliefs, ideas and ideals are sometimes given
visual expression and sometimes form the subject matter of art and architecture. In a
sense art and architecture provide mirrors to reflect a civilization's religion. In this respect
Buddhism is no exception. What Buddhism has given to the world is not only a profound
analysis, and a practical solution for the problem of human suffering but also a rich
legacy to the world of art and architecture. Much of this legacy is visible even today in its
homeland of India and in much of the eastern world.
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Works Cited
About: <http://buddhism.about.com/od/theravada/ss/BuddhismSS.htm>
Bullitt, John. “What is Theravada Buddhism?” Access to Insight.
<http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bullitt/theravada.html>
Buddhism Today: <http://www.buddhismtoday.com/wallpapers/index.htm>
Katinka Hesselink: <http://www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/symbols-buddha.html>
Region Facts: <http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/practices.htm>
Religion for school: < http://www.world-faiths.com/Buddhism/buddhism.htm>
Religious Tolerance: <http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddther.htm>
Wikipedia: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada>
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