...of Buddhism, because no-one is perfect and everyone have faults. Remember to smile it is a visual teaching. Be helpful, kind, and positive it shows’ gratitude. What barriers/hindrances would exist with presenting the Christian gospel to a person from this worldview? Some common objections and Evangelism of hindrances would be the fact of having different perspectives. Christians, for example, speak of a God who has emotions such as anger and love, but Buddhists see such emotions as indicating too much attachment to the ego (Tsering, P. 157). Most Buddhists believe that there are many paths to God. Buddhism believes Jesus is not unique and may see Jesus as being a spiritual Master on a par with Buddha (Theravada Buddhism) or as a bodhisattva (Mahayana Buddhism) (www.internationalstudents.org). In addition, Buddhism denies the existence of God, Buddhism worldview is monistic, there is no such thing to Buddhism as sin against a supreme being, according to the Buddhist belief man is worthless, having only temporary existence, and Buddhism takes on many forms that are contradicting. What personal challenges might you have with presenting the gospel? Al though, I was brought up in a church, attended Sunday school, and currently attends regularly it is sad to say I am only familiar with the basis I learned from early childhood, in addition to this class. When it comes to presenting the gospel...
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...“Wu Zetian and Buddhist Art of the Tang Dynasty” written by Patricia Karetzky provides a number of evidence that Empress Wu is a generous supporter of Buddhism and her patronage led to a splendid achievement in Buddhist art. Per my understanding, it is a Standard Textbook or Encyclopedia Entry type of article. This article does not have many references to other published work and the writer is presenting existed evidence to support his objective of the paper. He used descriptive language to tell the fact and to provided information to readers instead of bringing in his own opinion or doing deep analysis of the information he collected. The article has a very clear structure. Besides the introduction and conclusion parts, the article has three subheadings. The first one is from P114 to P116. The author talks about Buddhist activities in earlier Tang Dynasty and in Zhou. Under this section, the author also made two sub-points. One sub-point demonstrated the relationship Wu Zetian built with Buddhist monks and the Buddha images, such as Emperor Asoka she supported to build in the temple. The second sub-point illustrated that Wu Zetian also sponsored Buddhist monks on their translation activities and she involved in writing preface for these translations, such as Dayun sutra (Karetzky, 116). The second subheading is about Buddhist artistic evidence, which is from P116 to P122 and it includes three subsections, which are Empress Wu as Maitreya and the Dayunjing, Buddhist Art at...
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...according to our book, Buddhist Scriptures, “In Buddhism, no deed is more universally praised than the act of giving (Dana)” (142). To physically give yourself up to something or someone is the best gift you can ever give, and also be well on your way to enlightenment. Throughout the book the Bodhisattvas do many different tasks, tell different stories and meet different people that will help them to enlightenment. Each chapter shows a different way, level and physical form of generosity and compassion about the Buddha that leads him to enlightenment. Chapter 18 takes generosity and the notion of ‘no self’ to a whole different level. It’s a bittersweet take on generosity. The title ‘A King Gives Away His Head’ no better describes the story in just a few words. To be a Bodhisattva means abundant giving. They dedicate their live(s) to attaining the higher being, contributing to the well being of the, and focusing on the six virtues of the Mahayana: giving, ethics, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom. Giving is among the first on both the Mahayana and Theravada lists –therefore the most important and is ruled before any of the other virtues. King Candraprabha fulfills his role of Bodhisattva giving to his kingdom everything they could have ever wanted or desired for. He allowed them feel, look and act the way he would, “All of Jambudvipa resounded with a delightful noise, just as the heavenly city of the Thirty-Three Gods resounds with the sound of dancing, singing and the playing...
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...An old stoic stone statue of a beheaded Jizō, the buddhist bosatsu of mercy. It was made by Japanese Zen Buddhists and was located in southwest Japan before its relocation to the museum. The beheaded statue has a clean break at the neck area as the head was knocked off rather than time damaging the statue. Kneeling at ~5 feet tall this statue was once a display of devotion to buddhism that was marred by fundamentalist created conflict. Wearing a traditional Buddhist robe, in a position of meditation, the statue is a symbol of peace and devotion. This statue has stood for hundreds of years as Buddhism was not new to Japan, however in 1637 it was decapitated. This was due to the Shimabara rebellion from 1637-1638 where a small group of Christians...
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...The statue is 95” by 65” however in viewing seemed much larger. Created in the Liao Dynasty, S. China, this bodhisattva is the goddess of compassion or mercy, providing guidance and emotional support for the suffering. The bodhisattva is spectacular to view. It is enshrined in a room that is accessed by passing through an archway into a low-lit temple-like room, and into the bodhisattva’s grace at the Nelson Adkins Museum in Kansas City, MO. The statue is carved from wood (one tree) and painted in period colors of naturalistic earth tones. Strong greens and tones of orange stand out from neutral creams and browns finishing with gold trim throughout. These colors create a serene earthy calm and tranquil aura. Overall Visual summary: The statue its self is triangular shaped with a wider base and narrow top. In a sitting position, the left leg bends at knee to 45 degree angle ending with the left foot resting on the ball of the foot on a...
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... long-distance trade and cultural transmission between the northwestern Indian subcontinent and the silk routes.” (Neelis) When the Kushans established themselves, things started happening. Alexander of Macedon conquered lands reaching from the “Adriatic to the Black Sea and the Balkans to mainland Greece” (Wood) to build an expansive empire. His father, Phillip, built and army of 30,000 men and 5,000 cavalry in attempt to battle the Persians who were planning to add Greece to their empire. Philip was killed before this could happen so Alexander the Great carried his fathers out his father’s goals and went beyond. Ultimately, Alexander the Great influenced every land he conquered and it is evident archaeologically. Head of a Bodhisattva, Kushan Dynasty, late 1st-3rd century, Pakistan, phyllite Head of Alexander and Statue of Tiberius, 2nd C BC, marble These two are similar in more ways than just being two sculptures of heads from a long time ago. One must think much more critically and then the subtle stylistic differences or similarities will be much...
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...Philadelphia Museum of Art I would find the one piece I didn’t know I was looking for until I stumbled upon it in person. Walking into gallery 233, Asian Art on the second floor I was drawn to all of the many bodhisattvas scattered throughout the room. One in particular caught my eye and because of this I knew that I was inquired to write about this one. The Seated Bodhisattva was approximately 9 inches in size including the base of the lotus flower that the Bodhisattva sitting on. The artist of the piece was unknown, however, the Bodhisattva was made during the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty. The piece was made of gilded bronze with traces of painted decoration from previous use. All though the piece is old with left behind paint remnants, you can still clearly see the luster of the sculptor, giving you the feeling that the piece was newly made. Besides being gilded with a bronze overlay I believe that the piece under was molded out of clay or some sort of stone. The smooth texture of the Bodhisattva and the intricate details used...
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...Ancient Greek culture, religion and art and the South-West Asia art, culture and religion. The Head of Bodhisattva contained in the Cantor Museum encompasses the head of a Buddhist being that easily attained Buddhahood, but forgoes his Nirvana with the aim of aiding those in the world to walk in the Buddhist path. This Head was created in the Gandhara Ancient kingdom located in South West Asia. This Head was created using the Gandhara or Greco-Buddhist art that was highly influenced by Hellenistic Art. The Head of Alexander the Great encompasses an art created during the Hellenistic Civilization that spread after the Conquests of Alexander the Great. The fact that both The Head of Alexander the Great and The Head of Bodhisattva were created under Hellenistic and Greco-Buddhist art, cultural, religious and artistic connections can be identified between them. Cultural Connections Both Heads were created during the Hellenistic civilization whose major characteristic was the Hellenistic culture. This culture was however influenced by the indigenous cultures of the conquests culminating into the Greco Buddhist culture. During the creation of both heads the main language utilized in Alexandria where The Head of Alexander the Great was discovered and Gandhara where The Head of Bodhisattva was discovered was Greek. Essentially in the Greco-Buddhist culture under which The Head of Bodhisattva was produced and Hellenistic culture under which The Head of Alexander the Great was produced, the...
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...10/28/2012 Religion: Buddhism Specific Name of the Religious Place: Pao Fa Temple Type of Religious Ritual/Service: Water Repentance Service 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Time/Date of Observation: 10/28/2012 from: 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Address of Religious Center: : 2692 Beckman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92606 A. Background before Religious Center: Originally I had planned on visiting a different Buddhist temple in Irvine to view their Sunday service. But when I arrived, it was in an office building with no obvious religious symbols. I had also researched Pao Fa Temple, and knew they were holding the Water Repentance Service for most of the day, so decided to pursue that option. I used my map feature to get directions and very easily found the temple. It was a in a gated lot, and the temple was visible from a distance. B. Draw a Social Map: The Temple was on Beckman Avenue in Irvine. The major cross streets are Jamboree and Alton Pkwy. The gated parking lot entrance is on Noyes St. and the front entrance to the Temple faces Beckman Ave. and the West. The entrance to the Temple is very ornate with columns and sculptures at the corners and entrance. one standing and one sitting. The first thing you see when you walk into the entrance hall is a shrine to Namo Shakyamuni Buddha with flowers in front of it. To the right of this shrine is a door leading to a reception room. A short distance further is a shrine with two un-named bhodisattva/buddhas. There are plants in front of it and...
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...Asian Art Museum in San Francisco During the first week of September, I made a trip with a friend to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Every first Sunday of the month, admission into the museum is free. It is my first time to visit there and I was most impressed with the huge number of Buddhas on display. Most of the pieces are in excellent condition. It is amazing 600-year-old pottery and all these stone statues of Buddha that looks like it was made yesterday. What really brings this place to life for me are the brilliant combination of social mixers and live performance events mixed with cultural education. Asian Art Museum in San Francisco has a collection of about 17,000 objects of art and artifacts from all major Asian countries. In this museum, there are unique collection of Asian art and the famous bronze statue of Buddha from China. Chinese Buddha statue is the world's oldest known recorded from 338 AD. In this museum there are several main galleries devoted to the art of South Asia, West Asia (including Persia), Southeast Asia, Himalaya, China, Korea and Japan. I was quite impressed with the collection of Buddhist items, with entire sections dedicated to Buddhism from different time periods and regions. Of all the historical artifacts, I would say what became most apparent and valuable as a take-away lesson was the diversity of Buddha imagery in Buddhism, again depending on time periods and regions. As I walked from one room to the next, I...
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...Asian Art Museum in San Francisco During the first week of September, I made a trip with a friend to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Every first Sunday of the month, admission into the museum is free. It is my first time to visit there and I was most impressed with the huge number of Buddhas on display. Most of the pieces are in excellent condition. It is amazing 600-year-old pottery and all these stone statues of Buddha that looks like it was made yesterday. What really brings this place to life for me are the brilliant combination of social mixers and live performance events mixed with cultural education. Asian Art Museum in San Francisco has a collection of about 17,000 objects of art and artifacts from all major Asian countries. In this museum, there are unique collection of Asian art and the famous bronze statue of Buddha from China. Chinese Buddha statue is the world's oldest known recorded from 338 AD. In this museum there are several main galleries devoted to the art of South Asia, West Asia (including Persia), Southeast Asia, Himalaya, China, Korea and Japan. I was quite impressed with the collection of Buddhist items, with entire sections dedicated to Buddhism from different time periods and regions. Of all the historical artifacts, I would say what became most apparent and valuable as a take-away lesson was the diversity of Buddha imagery in Buddhism, again depending on time periods and regions. As I walked from one room to the next, I sometimes...
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...and a Bodhisattva in both Theravada (early) Buddhism and Mahayana Buddha in early Buddhism is more about philosophy than religion, and This Buddha values individual practices to enlightenment. It includes nuns and monks and accepts women. The Buddha in early Buddhism was a man originally named Siddharta, and he was the son of an Indian king; it was predicted that Siddharta would also be a king in the future. One day, Siddharta was tired of his luxurious prince life and decided to go far away from his common entourage to learn about the real happiness since he did not believe that money, power or luxuries bring happiness to a person. Throughout his adventure, Siddharta came to know that life is suffering because he met tiring old people, sick people, and people going through death. He went on and learned about what causes suffering and what makes end to it; in one word, he learned about the four noble truths and the eightfold path. He became a Buddha (the awaken one) after he meditated and came to enlightenment. This early Buddha showed more reasons through what he experienced to teach others. Contrary to the Buddha in early Buddhism, a Buddha in Mahayana is more about religion. This Buddha valued instant enlightenment, compassion and mindfulness and include many people. Bodhisattva was just mentioned in early Buddhism by the Buddha but was not part of the early Buddhism. It is part of the Mahayana Buddhism. First, as stated in the book “Buddhist Wisdom,” Bodhisattva is one...
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...Self-discovery Throughout one’s lifetime changes in a person’s views toward life are inevitable. Those changes can be seen as either positive or negative based on the experiences a person goes through. Some changes are seen as internal while others are seen as external. For instance, in Monkey by Wu Cheng-en and Candide by Francois-Marie Arouet De Voltaire, both authors are using their characters to portray self-discovery by having them go through a series of obstacles. As a result the characters changed their attitude toward life through the many obstacles that they had to undergo. Self-discovery is an essential part of a person’s life which can be seen internally or externally through a person’s characteristics and actions. The novel Candide is centered around the character of Candide who sets out on a journey to self-discovery in which he has “his eyes opened up to the true ways of the world” (www.associatedcontent.com). However, in this novel changes in Candide’s character can only be seen externally. Even though his opinions of the world change, he seems to hold on to the same essence throughout the entire story. At the beginning of the novel we see that Candide is very naïve and we also see that he only believes whatever he hears. Candide believes everything that Pangloss teaches him. Candide’s ignorance is shown when he sits with the Bulgars and says “You are quite right, it is just as Dr. Pangloss always told me, and I see clearly that everything...
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...Buddhism The religion of Buddhism has approximately 370 million followers worldwide, but it all started with one man. His name was Siddhartha Gautama but he is better known as The Buddha which means enlightened one in Sanskrit. Before he became the Buddha, Siddhartha lead an extravagant life as the son of an Indian warrior king. But eventually he got bored of his glamorous life and wandered off into the world in search of understanding. During his journey he met a sick old man a realized that everything leads to suffering. Then he gave up his royal life and became a monk and deprived himself of worldly possessions so that he could understand the truth of the world around him. He achieved this understanding while meditation under a tree. He finally understood how live a without suffering and ultimately how to achieve salvation. After his discovery he spent the rest of his life journeying across India teaching other what he had come to understand. Buddhism has several different texts. One of them is the Tripitaka which means the three baskets. The baskets are divided up by subject matter. The first basket is the Discipline Basket which set rules and guidelines for followers living the life of the Sangha. First it focuses on the 227 regulations for monks. These concern everything from basic morality to robe making. There are additional rules for nuns and for the interaction of monks and nuns. The second basket is the Discourse Basket which contains records of...
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...The Tibetan Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama is always a reincarnation of his predecessor. All Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of the enlightened being Chenrezi, who chooses to be reborn to help others become enlightened. Chenrezi is the patron saint of Tibet and the Bodhisattva (enlightened being) of Compassion. The current Dalai Lama is believed to be the 74th manifestation of the Bodhisattva. The 14th (and current) Dalai Lama's name is Tenzin Gyatso. He was identified by mystical clues and visions that led the Tibetan government in the direction of his home. A vision of a sacred lake and monastery led them to the house of the future Dalai Lama, who then was a three-year-old boy named Lhamo Thondup. The search party came disguised as travelers and observed the child for signs. When the boy correctly identified possessions that had belonged to his predecessor and said that they were his, the identification was official [source: Dalai Lama]. In 1950, he became Tibet's spiritual leader and took his monk's vows. Gyatso was sent to a monastery where he was given a scholarly education, including a doctorate in Buddhist studies. He learned philosophy, Sanskrit, music, arts and medicine. Along with these studies he was given an education in foreign relations to prepare him for his role as political and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. In 1950, at the age of 16, Tenzin Gyatso officially assumed political power. He then began his lifelong struggle for the Tibetan...
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