Buddha

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Teacher Resource Center

BUDDHA

Country/Culture: India

Materials: Wood

Accession no: ED 1997.10.3

Written by: Brittani McLeod

The religious leader called Buddha, whose given name was Siddhartha Gautama, was born a prince. At his birth it was prophesied, by astrologers, that during his lifetime he would choose to become either a monk or a monarch (Robinson, 2007). This news greatly distressed his father who did not want to lose his son to a monastery. To avoid this fate the king asked the astrologer what occurrences would happen that would persuade his son to choose this path. He explained that it would come in the form of four signs: “…A decrepit old man, a diseased man, a dead man, and a monk” (Sivananda, 2005). Knowing these were common occurrences within the city, the king made sure to keep these sights out of view; he enclosed the palace with tall walls that were covered with beautiful greenery, and surrounded Siddhartha with friends and entertainers that would distract him from the outside world (Sivananda, 2005).

At the age of twenty-seven Siddhartha—who was now married, and a father—began to travel outside the palace walls. Little did he or his family know that these trips would change their lives forever. With each journey Siddhartha saw each of the prophesied signs. These signs, which greatly distressed the prince, persuaded him to leave his family, and to search for a better way. He did this through many means—starving himself, indulging himself—but soon found neither were the answer. He finally settled on the middle path, which was a cross between the two (Sivananda, 2005). During the rest of his life he taught many how to overcome pain, and find everlasting joy. One of these was that of the four noble truths, which teaches:”… there is suffering, that suffering has a cause, that suffering has an end and that there is a path that leads to the end of suffering” (Vellino, 2007). Another teaching is that of Nirvana the final step that transcends suffering (Nirvana, 2008). The magnifigance of Buddha’s life, and his teachings, influenced many artists.

Buddhist art was first created in India during the 6^th and 5^th century BCE. During this time frame Buddhist art was not created in the physical image of Buddha, but through non- representational means. It was not until the 1^st century CE that artists started to represent Buddha in the human form (Buddhist art, 2008). The image of Buddha is made to represent the ideal human figure. The crafting of him is created through a canon—a pattern used by artists—to make sure that his bodily figure is perfect. This helps to remind followers of their goal to reach nirvana, and a pain free existence (BDEA INC., 2008).

BDEA INC. (2008). The Buddha Image. Retrieved May 7, 2008, from Buddha Net: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/buddhist-art/image.htm

Buddhist art. (2008, May 7). Retrieved May 7, 2008, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_art

Nirvana. (2008). Retrieved 8 2008, May, from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Nirvana

Robinson, B. A. (2007, August 27). A Brief Overview of the Life of Buddha. Retrieved May 2nd, 2008, from Religous Tolerance: http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism5.htm

Sivananda, S. S. (2005, May 1st). Lord Buddha. Retrieved May 2nd, 2008, from The Divine Life Society: http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/saints/buddha.htm

Vellino, A. (2007, October). About Buddhism. Retrieved May 2nd, 2008, from Buddhism in the National Capital of Canada: http://dharma.ncf.ca/introduction/About-Buddhism.html