Stupas

photo: wayfaring.info

The stupa is one of many early structural monuments that were used to represent Buddha’s presence. The original stupa was built as a mourning piece in India around 2nd century B.C.E. The raised sandstone carving consists of both mud and clay and depicts Buddha’s funeral mound at the center. Worshipers are also carved standing on the left and right of Buddha, which allows viewers to identify the transpiration of his death to the state of nirvana.

Mandalas

The word, "Mandala" comes from a sanskrit word that means "circle". A part of Tibetan art, Mandalas are geometrical forms of sacred art created in Tantric Buddhism. Each mandala represents a sacred space, and a pure expression of a particular Buddha's enlightenment.

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The construction of a Mandala is ritual, constructed from the center outward, beginning with a dot in the center.

Zen art

photo: zenpaintings.com

Zen art, also known as oriental art, is Buddhist art in its purest form. Created by Zen monks and nuns, this type of art form illustrated their own personal perception of reality.

Tibetan Thangka painting

A Tibetan Thangka is a traditonal painting or embroidered banner hung in monasteries or in family altars. The word "Thangka" means flat painting in Tibet. If embroidered,

it can be made of silk. If painted, it is illustrated on a flat cotton canvas surface while using mediums of herb, water soluble pigments(mineral or organic), and glue. The drawing technique of a Thangka requires great understanding of iconometric principles.

Buddhist Incense Burners

Photo: www.buddhist-artwork.com

In Buddhist temples, incense burners are placed along side the altar. It serves as an offer to the Buddha and other deities. These incense burners are believed to clear of evil spirits. Many incense burners are made from copper or ceramics and are in the shape of vessels.

The Lotus

Strength in the lotus stem and ability to grow twelve inches above water exemplifies the progress of the soul. All Buddhist deities are associated with the lotus flower because of it’s growth pattern which sticks out as a poignant representation.


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The White Lotus : Often associated with the White Tora, represents the state of spiritual perfection and mental purity in totality.

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The Blue Lotus: A symbol of victory; Represents wisdom.


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The Red Lotus: The lotus of love; Represents the purity of nature and of the heart.


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The Pink Lotus: The supreme lotus; Reserved for the highest deity.

Ancient artwork hidden Buddhist found in Nepal

Photo/Source: www.theage.com.au/.../ 05/06/1178390140811.html

Here's one of many hidden ancient Buddhist art work found in Nepal located off the border of Tibet.

Mudras

Mudra is a symbolic hand gesture commonly used in East Asia. There are four types of Mudras that have significant meaning seen in Buddhist figurines. The following statues below represent the Dhyana Mudra, Abhaya Mudra, Dharmachakra Mudra, and the Bhumisparsha Mudra poses. Mudra descriptions are self expressed and non-verbal positions, exemplifying communication in it's solemn tone in forms of gestures and postures. They are usually used to indicate the identity of the Buddha as well.

Photo: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Buddha_1251876.jpg

Dhyana mudra may be made with one or both hands. When made with a single hand the left one is placed in the lap, while the right may be engaged elsewhere. The left hand making the Dhyana mudra in such cases symbolizes the female left-hand principle of wisdom. Ritual objects such as a text, or more commonly an alms bowl symbolizing renunciation, may be placed in the open palm of this left hand.

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Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness, and the abhaya mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. The gesture is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, arm bent, and palm facing outward.

Photo: http://www.exoticindiaart.com

Dharmachakra: is the 'Wheel of Dharma'. This mudra symbolizes one of the most important moments in the life of Buddha, the occasion when he preached to his companions the first sermon after his Enlightenment in the Deer Park at Sarnath. In this mudra the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle. This circle represents the Wheel of Dharma, or in metaphysical terms, the union of method and wisdom. The three remaining fingers of the two hands remain extended.

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Bhumisparsha means 'touching the earth'. It is more commonly known as the "earth witness" mudra. This mudra, formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground, symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment under the bodhi tree, when he summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment.

The right hand, placed upon the right knee in earth-pressing mudra, and complemented by the left hand-which is held flat in the lap in the dhyana mudra of meditation, symbolizes the union of method and wisdom, samasara and nirvana, and also the realizations of the conventional and ultimate truths. It is in this posture that Shakyamuni overcame the obstructions of Mara while meditating on Truth..."

Source Religionfacts.com

Sisters of Ladakh

Photo:Snagfilm.com

Very interesting film on the feminine perspective of Buddhism. Entitled, Sisters of Ladakh, the documentary showcases the fascinating photography and testimonies of the Tibetan nuns.

Sisters of Ladakh - Watch the Documentary Film for Free | Watch Free Documentaries Online | SnagFilms

The Dharma Wheel

Photo: Ancient-symbols.com

Often referred as the Wheel of Law and the Wheel of Life, the Dharma Wheel is an important symbol of Buddhism. It is a representation of Buddha himself and consists of eight spokes to also represent the Eight fold path.