Buddhist art

Click a letter for the index

Or search the encyclopaedia:

 

 

Go

 

Click images to enlarge
Art and design of the Buddhist world, since the foundation of Buddhism, a philosophy that seeks enlightenment, by the Buddha Sakyamuni in the 5th century BC. The earliest Buddhist art developed in India to accommodate the new religion, including pillars and stupa, domed reliquary shrines that became the focus for pilgrims. Images of the Buddha in human form first appear in the sculptures of the Mathura tradition (2nd century BC) and the Gandhara (2nd–6th centuries AD), the latter showing elements of Greek style, and being exported with the religion to Korea, China, and Japan. Buddhism embodies many different strains and forms, and artwork associated with Buddhism is equally varied in style and focus, from rounded Gandharan sculpture to the angular forms of Chinese Buddhism from the 6th century AD. Carvings, paintings, and illustrated scrolls may depict scenes from the life of the Buddha and his previous incarnations, or demonstrate different states that the mind and body may achieve. The rapidly executed black ink paintings of Zen Buddhism are a medium for the spiritual contemplation of nature.

Blue stands for peace. The tassel is a symbol of the monarchy. Yellow represents mineral wealth. Red symbolizes battle. Effective date: 30 October 1967. >>