In keeping with their emphasis on the oldest and most fundamental teachings, Theravada Buddhists produce only a narrow range of Buddhist imagery. Nearly every Southeast Asian Buddha image is made in one of these postures (mudras) that can easily be identified by the position of the hands:
Dispelling Fear: Hand raised with palm facing outwards and fingers extended in a universal gesture of protection, benevolence, and peace.
Teaching: Hand raised with palm facing outwards and index finger forming a circle with the thumb.
Teaching the First Sermon: Both hands together at the chest with fingers on one hand forming a circle representing the “wheel of law” while the other hand touches the wheel to set it in motion (representing the beginning of Buddhist teaching)
Meditation: Hands resting together on the lap. The gesture symbolizes perfect balance of thought and tranquility.
Calling the Earth to Witness: With palm inwards, the right hand touches the ground and “calls the earth to witness” the Buddha’s enlightenment. The gesture symbolizes unshakable faith and resolution and is the most common posture for Southeast Asian temple images.
Passage to Nirvana: The reclining Buddha representing the Buddha’s death. The posture symbolizes complete peace and detachment from the world.
Offering or Wish Granting: Hand points down with palm facing out. The gesture represents the offering of Buddhist teaching to the world. Sometimes the teaching, and its benefit, is symbolically represented by a small piece of medicinal myroloban fruit. One particularly majestic style of standing offering image with the robes flared out is also known in Thailand and Laos as the “Calling for Rain” posture.
The Term Paper on Modern motivation theory and Buddhist teaching for Motivation
One of the most important functions of management is to create willingness amongst the employees to perform to the best of their abilities. Therefore the role of a leader is to arouse interest in performance of employees in their jobs. The process of motivation consists of three stages:1. A felt need or drive 2. A stimulus in which nodes have to be aroused 3. When needs are satisfied, the ...
Each of these positions can be associated with a moment in the Buddha’s life that has an important lesson, although the description of these scenes varies considerably. For example, Burmese temple murals of the moment of the Buddha’s enlightenment depict the seated Buddha being challenged by an army of demons summoned by the devil, Mara. The Buddha’s hand touches the ground to summon the Earth Goddess who wrings out her hair to unleash a flood that sweeps away the demons. A substantially different version of the story has Mara verbally challenging the Buddha: “Who knows that you have attained enlightenment?” The Buddha touches the ground and calmly replies: “Mother Earth knows.” Seated images are normally based on a lotus leaf, a symbol of spontaneous (i.e. divine) birth. An example of traditional art showing scenes from the Buddha’s life is here. (Top)
Magic and Luck
The Buddha himself did not speak about faith or belief. He explained his ideas logically and asked people not to blindly follow the words of any teacher, including himself, but to look at their own experience and consider which ideas helped them cultivate compassion and avoid delusions. However, as Buddhism spread it became extended by other elements that fit the traditions and needs of different peoples. The resulting diversity of forms of Buddhist practice makes it very difficult to make universal statements about “Buddhist” beliefs.
“Luck” provides an example of the range of possible interpretations. Some people believe that prayers to, or possession of, a Buddha image will bring them good luck. In Thailand vendors sell lottery tickets outside Buddhist temples and some monks enjoy bursts of fame for their success in predicting winning numbers. On the other hand the Buddha’s own teachings are often interpreted to rule out the existence of luck. “The Law of Causation” says that everything happening in the world is a natural product of cause and effect relationships. Nothing happens randomly or by chance and if you want something good to happen in the future then you should practice good deeds now.
The Essay on Organized Religion People Religious Religions
Organized Religion Ever since man has chosen to write down his history, organized religion has been a prominent topic and has influenced and shaped all people's lives. There have always been believers and non-believers. Since the beginning, non-believers have been persecuted by inquisitions, prosecuted by witch trials, and murdered by stoning and crucifying for even questioning the "truth" about a ...
Some Buddhists believe that all Buddha images have a protective supernatural power. People even treasure natural forms such as a tree trunk that grew in a form resembling a Buddha image. Some Buddhists believe that Buddha images have no special power until they are blessed by a Buddhist monk in a ceremony that calls a spirit inside them. Some Buddhists believe that Buddha images have only an inspirational power. (Top)
Perspectives on Use of Buddha images
While the interpretations and meanings can vary, traditionally all Buddha images were made for religious purposes. Naturally, Buddhists can have strong feelings about the proper and respectful treatment appropriate for Buddha images. Observation of traditional guidelines shows respect for religious teachings and reinforces understanding. Failure to observe traditional guidelines shows disrespect and can be offensive.
The confusing aspect of these guidelines is that in different places there are different traditions for respectful treatment. For example, in Thailand many people wear small Buddha amulets because they like to have the Buddha’s presence and sometimes they believe the amulet may provide some supernatural protection. In contrast, many Burmese believe it is improper to wear a Buddha amulet because the wearer shows disrespect by placing his head above the Buddha. In their own way both ideas are respectful. Another example is that the Burmese religious authorities have asked that images of the Buddha not be used in any business advertisement or promotion including book and magazine covers. They considered it improper to associate Buddhist imagery with any commercial activity or product. Many other Buddhists are less strict and accept Buddha images in conjunction with books or other materials about Buddhism. But most Buddhists agree that use of Buddha images in any commercial context other than promotion of Buddhist teaching is disrespectful. (Top)
Proper treatment of Buddha images
In view of the differing traditions, one can broadly say that a proper use of Buddha images is one that shows recognition and respect for the religious meaning. Proper uses could be described as a focus for meditation, a focus of worship, or a reminder of Buddhist doctrines. In keeping with the importance of these images, Buddhists also observe a variety of guidelines about placement of images within their homes:
The Term Paper on Religious Views On Abortion
RELIGION & ABORTION In examining religious opinions on abortion, one must find common ground on which to form a foundation of comparison. With most of the religions to date, that common ground lies on the argument of whether or not a fetus is an actual person. Some religions protest by saying a fetus isn’t a conscious being – therefore there is no loss in doing away with it. But ...
Location of images – In Southeast Asia, Buddha statues are normally placed in a location removed from ordinary worldly affairs. Many Thai and Burmese homes have a separate room, alcove, or cabinet for storage of religious images. But some people take another view and place a Buddha image in a place of prominence as a constant reminder of the importance of Buddhist teaching in all aspects of life.
Height of images – Traditional practice was that images should be high enough that the image’s feet were at or above the eye level of people in the room in order to avoid accidentally soiling the images. The Buddha image should be higher than any other figures displayed in the room. Elevation also serves as a reminder of the importance of avoiding pride and ego. From an esthetic point of view, some types of wooden images look less elegant viewed from above when you are looking into the grain.
