Art and architecture commonly are used to express the religious beliefs of the culture that a religion is part of. In no two religions is this truer than the Hindu and Buddhist religions. Elements of these religions are seen in temples throughout Asia and each religion has its own unique style. Hinduism According to Mitchell, the Hindu Religion is organized around cults that are specific to the different Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu. Thus one critical aspect of the Hindu temple would be the central shine to the deity worshipped in a given location, or by a given sect of Hindu’.
The second temple is the Great Stupa, a dome-shaped Buddhist monument from the Maurya Dynasty in Sanchi, India. The structure was built sometime from the 3rd C BCE to 1st C Ce,. Both of these monuments have many similarities and differences in structure and symbolism, but the dominant theme that ties them together is the idea that they connecting our real with the heavenly realm. These buildings came from completely different cultures, yet they have surprisingly similar styles. For example, both buildings require the visitor to first enter though a series of columns before reaching the main attraction.
However, evidence shows that Sumer, Egypt, and China believed in gods closely related to nature. They looked to them for protection and help. In each religion they had priests that communicated with the gods. Each culture established diverse systems of writing and noticeable architecture. They also made different inventions that are important to the world.
Lotus of the Good Law is also very significant to followers of Buddhism as it expresses salvation to Buddhism being universally attainable and lastly, the Tibetan Book of the Dead is also very substantial to adherents of Buddhism as it as it is means by which a Buddhist can determine their rebirth or Nirvana. The Tripitaka is a very significant text for adherents of Buddhism as it can as a guide to the teachings of the Buddha. Firstly, the Tripitaka is a sacred text split into three “baskets”; the Sutra Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and the Abhidharma Pitaka. The first basket, the Sutra Pitaka sets the rules and expectations of the Sangha. In this way, the Tripitaka is very significant to adherents of Buddhism as it provides a clear set of expectations of the adherent of the religion as well as providing a guide to the teachings of Buddha.
In Buddhism, by following a methodical life one can find an understanding of existence and achieve Nirvana (enlightenment). The word Hindu has geographical implication and was used originally for those people who lived beyond the river Sindhu or the region watered by the river Indus. Hinduism is a shared term pragmatic to the several metaphysical and religious customs intrinsic to India.
John Ferrara Comparative Religion Professor Ryan Scacci 1 May 2012 Shinto and Buddhist Japan In Japan, there are two religions that dominate the life of an average citizen. These religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. Shinto, or “the way of the gods”, is the indigenous faith of Japanese people, with an ultimate goal to reach cosmic harmony, with all elements in balance. Ninety million people in Japan also follow the religion of Buddhism, which comes from the word “Butsu” or “Buddha”, which means “teaching”. These two religions are far from exclusive, and overlap each other in many ways.
Mahayana Buddhism, prominent in China and Japan, incorporates several deities, celestial beings, and other traditional religious elements. In Mahayana, the path to liberation may include religious ritual, devotion, meditation, or a combination of these elements. Zen, Nichiren, Tendai, and Pure Land are the major forms of Mahayana Buddhism. The Four Noble Truths The teachings on the Four Noble Truths are regarded as central to the teachings of Buddhism, and are said to provide a conceptual framework for Buddhist thought. These four truths explain the nature of Dukkha (suffering, anxiety, and dissatisfaction), its causes, and how it can be overcome.
• “It is the element within Tibetan Buddhism of magic and the supernatural, so remote from the original teachings and practices of Buddhism that has led to its designation as Lamaism, as if it were a separate religion.” (Lieberman, 2003) Conclusions concerning points of agreement and disagreement between Buddhism and Hinduism • Both Buddhism and Hinduism believe in reincarnation and salvation as the highest goal. • Buddhism is in opposition of the Hinduism Brahmanical religion. Brahmanism practices the value of sacrifice. • Hinduism & Buddhism have considerable influence in their practices and ideals, both strive for ultimate liberation and the correspondence of spirituality of renunciation. (Schmidt,2007) • Hinduism believes in Gods and Buddhism does not believe in Gods.
The art of Renaissance Era was also dedicated to religion. One of the great architectural works of the Renaissance Era wan Saint Andrea designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1472, shown here in figure 1.5. Figure 1.5 exterior Figure 1.5
Benin art was produced mainly for the court of the Oba of Benin who was a divine ruler for whom the craftsmen produced a range of ceremonially significant objects. Aside from producing work to promote spiritual and religious devotion, Benin Art includes a range of animal heads, figurines, busts, plaques, and other artifacts. Typical Benin art materials include bronze, brass, clay, ivory, terracotta, and wood. During the reign of the Kingdom of Benin, the characteristics of the artwork changed from thin castings and careful treatment to thick, less defined castings and generalized features due to the important changes of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The fifteenth and sixteenth centuries have been crucial to Benin history because it was a period of Portuguese settlement and artistic grounding.