Development of the Buddha
Emerged in the first few centuries C.E. during the Kushana period. There were two artistic
centers.
- Center 1: Located in Gandhare, modern day north western India as well as parts of
Pakistan and Afghanistan. Reminiscent of Hellenistic sculpture, and influenced by
hellenistic culture by trade.
- Center 2: Located in Mathura, a still standing city south of Delhi. The style was more
indigenous, and more focused on symbolic qualities of the spiritual figure. Mathura
artists also created other kinds of imagery. It is probable that Buddhist imagery was
influenced by Hindu and Jain figures.
A gap of several centuries exists between the life of Buddha and the first surviving image of the
Buddha. The first art is from the Maurya period, during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (272-231
BCE). There are no Buddha images from this period but the images of lions, wheels, and other
Buddhist motifs led scholars to speculate that there was a prohibition against depicting the
actual Buddha or that animals were used to depict Buddha instead of humans.
Buddhist images originally adorned the complexes of stupas. Caves were hewn from rock in
parts of India, for worship and meetings. They became elaborate. The figure of Buddha and the
Bodhisattvas became objects of devotion. The image of the historical Buddha is often called
“Shakyamuni” or “sage of the Shakya clan”.
The Life of the Buddha
Buddha lived in northern India between the 6th-4th centuries BCE. According to various
traditions, Buddhas have existed in the past and will exist in the future.
The historical Buddha was born on the northern edge of the Ganges river, in modern day Nepal.
He lived for 80 years and his family name was Gautame (in Sanskrit) or Gotama (in Pali) and his
given name was Siddhartha (in Sanskrit, “He who achieves his aim”) or Siddhattha (in Pali). He
is also addressed as Bhagavat (“lord”) and refers to himself at the Tathagata (“one who has thus
come” and “One who has thus gone”). His death ranges from 2420-290 BCE.
Buddha was born into the Shakya clan and was a member of the Kshatriya (warrior) caste. His
mother, Maha Mava, dreamt that an elephant entered her womb, and 10 lunar months later her
son emerged from her right arm in the garden of Lumbini. He married princess Yashodhara at
16 but at 29 began life as an ascetic. While under a tree, he received enlightenment, or
understanding of the Four Noble truths.
Buddhist theory believes that the universe comes from Kara, the law of cause and effect
actions. The beings are reborn in six realms as gods, demigods, humans, animals, and hell
beings. Samsara is a domain of suffering.
, Anyone who has discovered the path and teaches it to others is a Bodhisattva. Buddhas are not
reborn but enter a state called Nirvana.
The next Buddha, Maitrya, will appear after Shakyamuni’s teachings have disappeared from the
world.
The Buddhas Message
The Buddha based his teaching on human suffering and the dissatisfying character of human
life. Existence is painful. Individuality implies limitation. Human beings look for ways of
deliverance. By following the Buddha's path the individual can dispel ignorance that makes their
suffering.
Reality is made by microelements called Dhammas. The Buddha rejected the idea of a soul as
a metaphysical (grounded) substance, but self is the subject of action in a practical and moral
sense. Ego is delusion and not one's true selves. Nothing is permanent.
The concept of No-self (anatman) is set forth in the theory of the Five aggregates/constituents
(Khandhas) of human existence.
1. Corporeality or physical forms (rupa)
2. Feelings or sensations (Vedana)
3. Ideations (sanna)
4. Mental formations or dispositions (sankhara)
5. Consciousness (vinnana)
- Karma
In pre-Buddhist India, the doctrine of karma existed and is accepted by all Buddhist
traditions. Good conduct brings a pleasant and happy life, while bad conduct brings evil.
Some consequences/rewards are experienced in the current life, but some are
experienced in future lives.
The concept of karma and rebirth contradicts with the concept of no-self. How can rebirth
take place without a permanent subject to be reborn?
- The Four Noble Truths
1. The truth of misery (dukkha)
2. The truth that misery forms from the craving of pleasure (samudaya)
3. The truth that craving can be eliminated (nirodhu)
4. The truth that this elimination is a result of following a path (magga)
Emerged in the first few centuries C.E. during the Kushana period. There were two artistic
centers.
- Center 1: Located in Gandhare, modern day north western India as well as parts of
Pakistan and Afghanistan. Reminiscent of Hellenistic sculpture, and influenced by
hellenistic culture by trade.
- Center 2: Located in Mathura, a still standing city south of Delhi. The style was more
indigenous, and more focused on symbolic qualities of the spiritual figure. Mathura
artists also created other kinds of imagery. It is probable that Buddhist imagery was
influenced by Hindu and Jain figures.
A gap of several centuries exists between the life of Buddha and the first surviving image of the
Buddha. The first art is from the Maurya period, during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (272-231
BCE). There are no Buddha images from this period but the images of lions, wheels, and other
Buddhist motifs led scholars to speculate that there was a prohibition against depicting the
actual Buddha or that animals were used to depict Buddha instead of humans.
Buddhist images originally adorned the complexes of stupas. Caves were hewn from rock in
parts of India, for worship and meetings. They became elaborate. The figure of Buddha and the
Bodhisattvas became objects of devotion. The image of the historical Buddha is often called
“Shakyamuni” or “sage of the Shakya clan”.
The Life of the Buddha
Buddha lived in northern India between the 6th-4th centuries BCE. According to various
traditions, Buddhas have existed in the past and will exist in the future.
The historical Buddha was born on the northern edge of the Ganges river, in modern day Nepal.
He lived for 80 years and his family name was Gautame (in Sanskrit) or Gotama (in Pali) and his
given name was Siddhartha (in Sanskrit, “He who achieves his aim”) or Siddhattha (in Pali). He
is also addressed as Bhagavat (“lord”) and refers to himself at the Tathagata (“one who has thus
come” and “One who has thus gone”). His death ranges from 2420-290 BCE.
Buddha was born into the Shakya clan and was a member of the Kshatriya (warrior) caste. His
mother, Maha Mava, dreamt that an elephant entered her womb, and 10 lunar months later her
son emerged from her right arm in the garden of Lumbini. He married princess Yashodhara at
16 but at 29 began life as an ascetic. While under a tree, he received enlightenment, or
understanding of the Four Noble truths.
Buddhist theory believes that the universe comes from Kara, the law of cause and effect
actions. The beings are reborn in six realms as gods, demigods, humans, animals, and hell
beings. Samsara is a domain of suffering.
, Anyone who has discovered the path and teaches it to others is a Bodhisattva. Buddhas are not
reborn but enter a state called Nirvana.
The next Buddha, Maitrya, will appear after Shakyamuni’s teachings have disappeared from the
world.
The Buddhas Message
The Buddha based his teaching on human suffering and the dissatisfying character of human
life. Existence is painful. Individuality implies limitation. Human beings look for ways of
deliverance. By following the Buddha's path the individual can dispel ignorance that makes their
suffering.
Reality is made by microelements called Dhammas. The Buddha rejected the idea of a soul as
a metaphysical (grounded) substance, but self is the subject of action in a practical and moral
sense. Ego is delusion and not one's true selves. Nothing is permanent.
The concept of No-self (anatman) is set forth in the theory of the Five aggregates/constituents
(Khandhas) of human existence.
1. Corporeality or physical forms (rupa)
2. Feelings or sensations (Vedana)
3. Ideations (sanna)
4. Mental formations or dispositions (sankhara)
5. Consciousness (vinnana)
- Karma
In pre-Buddhist India, the doctrine of karma existed and is accepted by all Buddhist
traditions. Good conduct brings a pleasant and happy life, while bad conduct brings evil.
Some consequences/rewards are experienced in the current life, but some are
experienced in future lives.
The concept of karma and rebirth contradicts with the concept of no-self. How can rebirth
take place without a permanent subject to be reborn?
- The Four Noble Truths
1. The truth of misery (dukkha)
2. The truth that misery forms from the craving of pleasure (samudaya)
3. The truth that craving can be eliminated (nirodhu)
4. The truth that this elimination is a result of following a path (magga)
