The Seated Jina and Saintliness Jessica McGlynn Art History Survey The Seated Jina in Meditation is a figure slightly larger than reality carved smoothly from granitic stone in 11th century India. The smooth lines of this figure’s body and exaggerated curves of the muscular build construct a relaxed aura to the seated figure while the upright stature represents leadership and power. With his or her hands folded in their lap and crossed legs, the seated jina appears open and peaceful, almost healing in nature. The ease of this figure’s relaxed meditative state is portrayed fully, as well as the symmetrical formation of his body. From the front, his legs are crossed in a triangle, folded tightly, so that there are no separations.
This is because Zen is concerned only with the direct experience or insight into enlightenment, away with all dogma, theology and doctrine which is ever-present in other religions. In Zen, this direct insight into the nature of life, or enlightenment, is achieved through meditation, and also through the contemplation of unsolvable riddles called koans. Through the analysis of the teachings, beliefs and art of Zen culture, we can assess how Zen attempts to gain direct insight instead of relying on any doctrine to attain enlightenment. Zen Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism, which holds its roots from China, the home of Ch’an Buddhism (Dumoulin 34). The incessantly interesting feature of Zen Buddhism is that there is no dogma, philosophy or doctrine one must believe in to be a Zen Buddhist (“Buddhist beliefs”).
Buddhists believe the more you give without seeking something in return, the ‘wealthier’ you become. Giving is said to purify and transform the mid of the giver. A monk or Bhikku is also another cultural link to Buddhist tradition. A bhikku’s lifestyle is simple + meditative, the ultimate goal to attain Nirvana. Like all other religious traditions Buddhism has an important place for pilgrimage based sites where Gautama Buddha lived and taught.
The term ‘religion’ is “perhaps not a very good term to use in connection with Buddhism since it recognizes no God” (Zaehner). Buddha taught over 84,000 teachings (Gyasto). The word ‘Buddha’ means “Awakened One.” When someone is awakened or enlightened, then they have became a Buddha; someone who is completely “free from all faults and mental obstructions”
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.
The lotus is also similar in these religions because in both religions it is connected to deities. Every relevant Buddhist deity is depicted to be holding a lotus. In Hinduism, there is a deity named Krishna, who is also known as the “Lotus-Eyed One”. Two symbols that are both
Additionally, both believe in the spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, concentration, and cultivation of states of mind, called mindfulness. While Hinduism and Buddhism share similarities, they also celebrate differences; Hinduism is not founded by any particular prophet and Buddhism was founded by Buddha and Buddhists do not believe in the existence of souls like Hindus, neither do they believe in the sacred texts of the Vedas or any other Hindu scripture. Refuge in the Buddha, the Sangha and Dhamma are the three fundamental requirements of the eight fold path while Hinduism offers many choices to its followers for
Such a living is analogous to a lotus that grows in water but is not wetted by water. The four hands represent the four ends of human life. The front hands represent the activity in the physical world and the back hands indicate the spiritual activities that lead to spiritual perfection. The two elephants standing next to the Goddess symbolize the name and fame associated with worldly wealth. The thought expressed from the two elephants is that a true devotee should not earn wealth merely to acquire name and fame or only to satisfy his own material desires, but should share it with others in order to bring happiness to others in addition to himself.
Vipassana meditation, also commonly known as insight meditation, (the Pali word passana means ‘to see with open eyes,’ and vi, means through) is India’s most ancient meditation technique. Although it was discovered by the enlightened one, Buddha, vipassana meditation is not a religious practice, as it does not rely on any deity or spirit. It depends solely on the efforts of oneself. Vipassana meditation is a way of self-transformation through self-awareness and establishing deep connections with the mind and body to aim for an enlightened state of true happiness and the termination to suffering. The history of the practice is centered on dharma- the law of nature and way to liberation, which Buddha preached during his forty-five years in ministry.
Hinduism is not an organized religion, and it also doesn't have specials rules like Catholics with the 10 commandments. The duty of a religion is to guide humanity to uphold certain noble principles in order to lead a peaceful life and to maintain human dignity. The main goal of this religion is to become dharma: Dharma means to have some sort of right conduct, righteousness, moral laws, and duty that leads you to an eternal life in heaven. You can become Dharma by doing specific actions or using your thoughts to move you up the caste system to the highest achievement which is Dharma. All human beings in Buddhist eyes are equal, and Buddhist concepts recognize that everyone is built with dignity and the equal and basic rights of all human beings.