Name ______Date ______

Buddha Iconography: You are the Docent!

Icons = holy images; pictures, images, or other representations.

Iconography = the reading of symbols in a painting or ; the visual images and symbols used in a work of art or the study or interpretation of these.

Buddhism is often associated with visual imagery and iconography. Therefore, is it helpful to learn of these visual representations of the Buddha’s journey when studying the tenets of .

While originally artists did not portray the Buddha directly (believing that the person of Buddha was too sacred to be represented as a human figure), this taboo against portraying Buddha was overlooked because of a growing need to worship images. (Can you think of why there was a need to worship images?) Some symbols can only be successfully universally illustrated through the medium of art.

Over time, distinguishing marks in works of art helped identify buddhas and (a person who is able to reach but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save others). According to legend, the Buddha bore the thirty-two marks of a great man. Some of these many special attributes include those listed below.

Directions: You will be assigned an example of Buddha iconography. Learn about your example so that you can stand up and share it with your classmates so that they will understand it as well. Do NOT memorize your information. There is no need to do outside research, but you may if you would like. In short, be prepared to share your knowledge of Buddha iconography with your classmates. To do well, you should engage the class during your presentation and sound interested in your particular topic! START with an intro that gets our attention and END on a solid note. Be prepared to refer to the slide portraying your example of Buddha iconography.

Elongated earlobes: These remind us of his royal . The Buddha was once a prince who wore a great deal of jewelry including heavy earrings, which stretched out his earlobes. He gave up the wearing of any jewelry when he gave up his life of luxury. They remind us that to secure enlightenment, we must surrender attachment to worldly goods. It is also thought the elongated earlobes represent the Buddha's hearing power; it is believed that he hears what is needed in the world. Some point out too that it is symbolic that, while people may change, we always remain tied to our past.

Short hair with tight curls: The Buddha's hair is usually depicted in the form of "snail-shell" curls. As a young prince, Buddha had long hair, but when he became enlightened, he decided to symbolize his renunciation his wealth and his devotion to meditation by cutting off all his hair. (Monks also have shaven heads.) According to legend, when the Buddha lopped off his hair with a sword, it immediately grew back in 2-inch lengths, snapped into tight curls. His hair remained this way permanently – he never had to cut his hair again.

Urna (tuft of hair on forehead): This is a tuft of hair, or , located between his eyebrows. It is also referred to as a bindu. This symbolizes spiritual insight or depth. It confirms that the and the could only be realized by one with supernatural wisdom.

Ushnisha (bump on head): A bump on the top of the head symbolizes wisdom and spirituality and his attainment of enlightenment; it represents the "expanded wisdom" the Buddha attained at the time of his enlightenment – his superior knowledge. This shape is not different from when he was young for as a prince he had long hair and wore it in a bun.

Folds around Buddha’s neck: A sign of wisdom and spiritual age. (Sorry, Ms. Sweeney gets this topic.) J

Halo: Frequently, one finds a halo framing his head and a mandorla, or body halo, surrounding his body to show that Buddha is an enlightened being. It is symbolic of his mystical, powerful abilities.

Simple robes: The Buddha is usually portrayed wearing a monastic robe draped so as to cover both shoulders or to leave the right shoulder bare. It is the garment of a Buddhist monk. In his passage to nirvana, the Buddha has foregone worldly gratification. He is not dictated by fashion, social status, or the need to protect himself from the elements.

Bare feet: In most statues, whether or not the Buddha is seated, his feet are exposed. When seated in the lotus position, although the legs are on top of each other, the feet are visible and turned up towards the sky. In many cases, the Mark of the Wheel can be found on the soles of the feet. Although feet are vehicles of the body and suffer much wear, the feet of the Buddha are holy—once Siddhartha untangles his body and places his feet on the ground, he is prepared to begin preaching.

Asana: A Buddha's pose is known as an asana. Buddhas are usually represented either standing, sitting or reclining. When shown standing, he often has one hand raised in blessing and reassurance. When seated he is meditating in the lotus position dhyana. Pictures and images of the Buddha Sayyamuni reclining refer to the end of his life just before he entered .

Meditative gaze: Buddha faces usually have half-closed eyes which show a state of meditation: looking inward into the self as well as outward. The faint smile on the statue also depicts the serene nature and nobility of the Buddha after attaining enlightenment. The gaze is a sign to his followers of the importance of meditation to become enlightened – to achieve Nirvana.

Lotus flowers: Lotus flowers often appear in images of the Buddha. He is frequently shown seated on a lotus throne or standing on a lotus pedestal. (In statues where the Buddha is seated, his stance is referred to as the lotus position.) The lotus is a symbol of things that are pure and good. A lotus is a flower that begins its life in the mud at the bottom of a pond and then rises to the surface to flower. That this picturesque flower can rise from murky water reminds people that in the same way, people can rise above their problems and achieve enlightenment.

The Bodhi tree: Of all the accessories the Buddha is depicted with, perhaps the Bodhi tree is the most significant. The Bodhi tree has a special place in Buddhist imagery, as it is the location where the Buddha was sitting upon achieving his enlightenment, and it represents both his mental state and his enlightened mind. A Bodhi tree with a long-haired Buddha in the meditative posture denotes his quest for illumination; the tree with the Buddha beckoning the earth as witness conveys the moment of his enlightenment; and the Bodhi with the Buddha in the preaching gesture shows he has taken his place as a who aids others in the journey to enlightenment.

The Wheel of Law: The Wheel of Law is a symbol for the teachings of the Buddha. It can sometimes be found marked on the soles of the Buddha's feet and on the palms of his hand. It has eight spokes to remind followers that the Buddha taught of the Noble Eightfold Path, which outlined eight ways of living. The Wheel itself is a reminder of the cycle of birth, death and .

Mudras: [A shared topic, if desired] Because the Buddha remained on earth as a Bodhisattva, he is limited to a human body. Yet because of his enlightened status, he is also beyond a mere human. In Asian statues of the Buddha, the hand positions signify a higher spiritual meaning. Among the various ways to depict the hands of the Buddha, the use of hand gestures, known as , provides context to the Buddha and his teachings. For example, a palm of the hand raised to face the worshipper is the gesture of protection (abhaya). A lowered hand with fingers pointing downward is the gesture of bestowing. When thumb and index finger of the right hand are joined, it is an indication of teaching. Each hand gesture has a particular meanings. Most symbolize a major event in the Buddha's life, such as his attainment of enlightenment or his first sermon, while others represent a characteristic act such as giving of charity or of reassurance to his followers.

Fasting Buddha: [A shared topic, if desired] In trying to find why there is in the world, Prince Siddhartha Gautama gave up his riches and travelled from place to place, begging for his food and questioning all the holy men he met about their beliefs and practices. Many of these holy men believed that the only way to achieve this was by undergoing terrible suffering themselves such as gazing into the sun until their eyes became blind or starving them to the point of death. He learned from two of them yoga, concentration, and meditation. It is said that for six years, Siddhartha practiced strict fasting, until his body wore away to skin and bones. He became very weak and ill.

One day a milkmaid went past and offered him a bowl of milk. He drank it. Then he ate some food and began to feel strong again. It then became clear to Siddhartha that living the life of an ascetic (one who denies himself the usual comforts of life) would not lead to enlightenment. This could only be achieved by calm meditation, which was impossible for anyone whose body was worn down by hunger and thirst. From then on, he decided to take the : neither starve his body nor feed it too richly. He ate what he needed.

The Fasting Buddha is easily recognizable. It shows him weakened and skeletal. It depicts the period of the prince’s life when he has abandoned his riches and is on the quest to find enlightenment. He has not gained nirvana at this point; he is a “Buddha-to-be.”

Bodhisattva: [A shared topic, if desired] a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings. They can escape samsara but have decided to remain in the cycle of birth and rebirth to act as a teacher to help others gain enlightenment. A Bodhisattva’s goal is not just to be happy oneself but to work towards ending the suffering of others. They are are similar to saints in Christianity.

A popular subject in , Bodhisattvas tend, as a whole, to be more richly attired than figures of buddhas. Where many buddha figures (except crowned buddhas) have only a simple monk’s robe draped over one shoulder, bodhisattvas are adorned with flowing robes, bracelets, necklaces and threads containing amulet boxes, elaborate hairdos, and sometimes a moustache.

Budai: In China, there are two very popular Bodhisattvas. A Bodhisattva is someone who is dedicated to helping others reach nirvana. The one you may recognize is , sometimes called “the Laughing Buddha.” He is, however, not a Buddha, but a Bodhisattva. He is a happy-looking figure with a bald head and a large protruding belly who, being poor but content, carries his few possessions in a cloth sack. His figure appears throughout Chinese culture as a representation of contentment.

Tibetan prayer flags: [A shared topic, if desired] Prayer flags have been an important part of Tibetan Buddhist culture for centuries. The flags usually come in a set of five cloth flags, each a different color, and are printed with Buddhist symbols, protectors, teachings, and prayers.. The colors are meant to represent the elements: blue representing the sky, white representing the wind, red representing fire, green representing water, and yellow representing the earth.

They are usually flown outside in a diagonal line at monasteries, , and rocks on mountain passes. Contrary to popular belief, prayer flags do not carry prayers to gods. Rather, Tibetan Buddhists believe that the sacred flags will bring the person who put up the flags and those in the vicinity good fortune, peace, compassion, wisdom, and a long life. The wind is said to carry these messages from the flags to others. Many climbers leave these flags at the summit of Mount Everest so the wind can spread prayers to all.