Jingxiu Nunnery Ancient India

Jingxiu Nunnery Ancient India
14. Jingxiu Nunnery (Um retreatпјЊ Buddhist Convent)
Jingxiu Nunnery was located outside ancient city – at the Outside West Gate Street. Prior to the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, it was the only
survived ancient monastery, a Buddhist shrine. People from the ancient city and around villages, even Baili Island and other distant pilgrims came here
often, burned incense and prayed, asked God to bless. Perhaps they were nunnery, women could not afford to lift big storms, in addition, the nuns had
some dealings with Indian Buddhism, the government concerned the international influence, so it was preserved, which revealed the Communist Party
and the government's religious policy.
Jingxiu Nunnery was not big. Above the front doorпјЊthe "Jingxiu Nunnery " three Chinese characters were inlaid with blue tiles. Beyond the front
door were white walls on both sides, on which the clause of "Namo Amitabha" were painted. Two large wood door planks were decorated red with
iron hoops and nail decoration. The first tier was Basilica with a number of large golden shine Buddha statues. Tathagata was centered solemnly. Under
the Buddha, a long altar was placed with lamps, candles on it, which were burning immortal. Quadruped censers were set on both sides, and were
incensing constantly. The bricked... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The ancient city, a large number of ancient artifacts that already had been damaged was destroyed again in another large scale. Ancient architecture,
books, artifacts, and even old–style furniture, tableware, tea sets, bed frame, bed and bedding...... which carved or painted with romantic, flowers and
other patterns of insects, birds, all smashed or burned. I remembered that my family had a few glasses, usually not used much, because of painted with
dragon and phoenix patterns, had to be
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Essay on Two Religions-Two Paths: Buddhism and Hinduism
Buddhism and Hinduism–– the core area of both is Northern India and each spread through the Indian subcontinent, yet both did not seem to expand
with the same radius. Buddhism flourished and spread across central and eastern Asia; whereas, Hinduism generally stayed close to home, in India. The
question now becomes why.
The main area where these religions emerged is referred to as 'religion hearths', and these religions originated where large civilizations also did in
Mesopotamia, the Nile, and the Indus Valleys. (Park) "This hints at a more complex interplay between religion and culture, involving factors such as
innovation and cultural diffusion, religious adaptation, and exchanges of ideas, beliefs and values along migration and trade ... Show more content on
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"Ironically, it was subsequently to die out in the very area it had originated, and was re–absorbed into Hinduism in India in the seventh century
(although it has survived among the mountain people of the Himalayas and on the island of Sri Lanka)."(Park)
These simple titles have a large impact on where each religion spread. Because Buddhism is "universal", it is easy for each culture to modify the
religion to suit their traditions, which is why Buddhism was able to spread from India and become divided into different sect. If we take Japan as an
example, how the Japanese chose to depict Buddha is one way to see how Buddhism was altered due to a cultural influence. A well–known monument
in Japan is Diabutsu, which a large bronze sculpture built in 1252, represents Buddha. (Gascoigne) This monument is not a representation of the
traditional Gautama Buddha but rather of another called Amitabha Buddha. The "cult of Amida" arrived from China, and is based on a sutra.
(Gascoigne) This means that all and any who reach enlightenment will be secured with the love of Amida and live with him in a pure land. This would
appeal to those who suffer in their life on earth, which is mostly the poor and meek, so they will now look forward to life after enlightenment with
Amida. Another sect that was brought in from China to Japan in the

Tannisho Chapter 8 Analysis
In chapter eight of Tannisho, Shinran ensures that devotees understand what nenbutsu is. It is not a ritual, a way to show respect to deities, or a way to
reach salvation. It is an indicator of salvation that a devotee has already achieved.
Shinran is breaking away from several of the central tenets of Buddhism. He is not, for example, interested in cultivating good roots or focusing on
rebirth. The nenbutsu is not like most traditional Buddhist principles, "as it springs wholly from the other–power and surpasses all self–effort" (Reader
577). No individual can attain salvation through "self–effort" because salvation is independent of good karma. The devotee's intent to achieve salvation
is hypocritical because he or she is mixing desire with

Essay: Formal and Stylistic Analysis of Buddha Amit
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Essay: Formal and Stylistic Analysis of Buddha Amitabha
Naiwen Zhang
02/10/2014
Professor Jones
!
The sculpture Buddha Amitabha is a typical Sui Dynasty style art piece that represents the will of people who wish to have peace and joy. Their life
goals is achieve enlightenment. Their believe of the existence of the western paradise where they will suffer no more from anything. It is also a piece
of love and good fortune that was sent from the women to their family.
!
Buddha Amitabha is a bronze statue that was found in Zhaozhou Hebei of China. It was made in Sui
Dynasty dated 593. There is an inscription on the back of the statue that indicates that the sculpture was dedicated in 593 by eight woman of the fan
clan to ensure the rebirth ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
!
Sui Dynasty is a great time period for Buddhist art, because emperor Wen(Yang Jian) unified China as a centralized empire, he convertedBuddhism as
the authority religion. The reason he does this is that he wants to maintain the peace of his physical realm as well as people's mind. He command to
built many Buddhist art to spread the words. Early arts of Buddhist in the Sui Dynasty keeps part of the Northern Dynasty style. The mature period
they produced many stone carving. Sui Dynasty has outstanding Buddhist statues with unique characteristics and dignified gestures and magnificent
dress. Stone sculpture is the most popular art form of this period and most of the bronze works are based on the style of stone statues. The figures of
Buddhist art of Sui Dynasty have broader shoulders that evoke a sense of bulkiness compare with North Qi Dynasty and North Zhou Dynasty.
The faces look more realistic than the past, some of them facial expression, but the gestures of the body are still stiff. Many of them have a belly that
is slightly in an arc and the figure appears relatively flat. They also use a lot jewels and complex tassels to decorate Buddha and Boddhisattva.
!
The iconography of is very significant in China. He is one of the Buddha from Mahayama. He is defined as the Buddha of the pure land where is

only peace and joy. People believe after death the soul will have the chance to go to western paradise(the pure land). So amitabha is also

Comparing the Philosophy of Life in Christianity and...
Comparing the Philosophy of Life in Christianity and Chinese Buddhism
Chinese Philosophy not only is the fruit of thinking of the Chinese nation, but also is the important component part of world culture. In Chinese
philosophy, there are three main parts: Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Among them,Chinese Buddhism, which came from India, experienced a
course of sinicization under the influence of Chinese traditional culture represented mainly by Confucianism and Taoism , so it keeps the general
features of Buddhism ,and also formed its Chinese characteristics. The changes of Chinese Buddhism from "going out of this world " to "being in this
world " and "building pure land in this world " fully manifested the humanistic spirit ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In this way , in actual life, there are often conflicts and struggles between goodness and evil in human nature. So Christianity stresses that human beings
should believe in God, and depend on God's power to ensure tending towards goodness, and entering the paradise after their death.
Buddhism, starting from its basic teaching "arising through causation (Pratityasamutpada)", believes that all things are naturally formed from causes
and condition (Hetupratyaya), man is also the combination from Five Classifications (Pancaskandha), under given conditions and the result of
ignorance (Avidya). As for "man is the result of ignorance", it's a bit similar to Christian "original sin ". but influenced by Confucius "goodness of
human nature" and Taoist "return to nature and true ", Chinese Buddhism specially emphasizes the inner basis of "free from world ", and stresses that
human nature, which is naturally pure and enlightened but dirty and befuddled because of being hoodwinked by desire. Only when man could see
mind and enlighten nature by practicing Buddhism, then he is free from world and become Buddha.
Comparative speaking, both Christianity and Buddhism have the tendency of paying close attention to what happens

Buddhism and Christianity
In the early sixth century Christianity was evolving at a rapid pace. The spread of Christianity was not only moving westward through Europe, but it
was also moving eastward down the Silk Road. The eastward spread of Christianity was primarily a form of Christianity known as Nestorianism, after
the teachings of Nestorius, a fifth century patriarch. By 635 Nestorian Christianity had reached the heart of China spreading through all of Persia and
India. During the middle of the seventh century Nestorian churches were found in cities all along the Silk Road, though there were unquestionably
many fewer Christians than Buddhists in Asia Up until the turn of the sixteenth century Christianity endured great persecution in China and Japan. ...
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Honen completed his work in 1175 AD and began to preach the faith of Pure Land. As a result of Honen simplereligion of hope he became
exceptionally popular. His popularity was achieved because his genuine heart and personal appeal. His tremendous popularity created controversy
and political unrest and he was deported from his home from 1207 AD till he was allowed to return in 1211 AD. After his return he died a year
later with a following that increased due to his persecution. After Honen's death his disciples continued to preach the new school of Buddhism.
Pure Land Buddhism also known as Jodo grew in numbers at a large rate. Previously Buddhism was more of a spectator religion, but now people
committed to this new faith that had relevance to their everyday lives. One of Honen's main disciples Shinran was the founder of one of the largest
sects of Pure Land Buddhism. This sect was known as Jodo Shinshu or True Pure Land Buddhism. Shin Pure Land Buddhism continues to exist today
as one of the largest sects of True Pure Land Buddhism. Currently there are a number of different schools and sects of Pure Land Buddhism around
the world. Each school and sect differ in minor ways but all based upon the same sutra or scriptures. Pure Land Buddhism is active in missionary
efforts therefore making them a missionary religion. Pure Land has

Zen And Pure Land Buddhism
A brief comparison between Zen and Pure Land Buddhism, both of these are very popular amongst the Vietnamese community. The word Zen has been
used many times in the West, due to the hard work of Japanese culture; Zen Buddhism does not have a strong influence as that of the Pure Land
Buddhism. Also in the school of Zen, "they reject claims of scriptural authority and embrace many different practices". Zen Buddhism rests on claims
to an exclusive lineage that has been passed down from teacher to disciple in a succession from "Shakyamuni", or the historical "Buddha", all the
way to the present day. Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism are just schools of practice. The difference is mainly in practice. Buddhism, in
general, does not worship what you call "Gods", but their existences are acknowledged as a heavenly being of intense merits and blessings, often with
the leadership of qualities of that sort. Other cases of belief, Gods may or may not be acknowledged. However, this is hardly accurate to the whole of
the Buddha Dharma. Zen Buddhism is the focus of meditation to attain enlightenment. This is the practice of sitting in stillness, focusing on
single–mindedness and investigating Zen. Whereas, Pure Land Buddhism is the focus of reciting Amitabha. However, recitation of Buddha 's name
can cause one to enter Samadhi. It employs the single–minded focus that aims for in Zen meditation. Pure Land 's main goal was from the recitation of
Amitabha Buddha for

Daoism And Confucianism
Roles Under the Chinese Golden Age
The three main belief systems that shaped daily life in China under the Tang and the Song period: Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Each played
an important role in Chinese culture.
Daoism, an indigenous religion–philosophical tradition that has shaped Chinese life for more than 2,000 years. In the broadest sense, a Daoist attitude
toward life can be seen in the accepting and yielding, the joyful and carefree sides of the Chinese character. An attitude that balances the moral and
duty–conscious. Stark and deliberate character ascribed to Confucianism. Additionally, Daoism is characterized by a positive, active attitude toward the
occult and the metaphysical, whereas the heathen, realistic Confucian tradition ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Buddhism needed the help of the ruling emperor to prosper, or suffered under their objection. Emperor Wuzong, a faithful Daoist who viewed
Buddhism as a barbaric, foreign religion used by those to evade tax and responsibility to the state. In 845, he burned 4,600 monasteries and 4,000
temples. Buddhist temples became havens of refuge during times of the problem; land gifted to temples and monasteries allowed monks to flourish
their crops, and often, remains neutral from conflicts. Buddhism was also useful for political reasons: some emperors persecuted them in favor of
Daoism, some adopted Buddhism to appease the masses (in Yuan Dynasty), and some manipulated Buddhist ideologies of peace and neutrality as the
publication to overcome social

The Five Stages Of Grief
Death is just another state we encounter in the human life. Death is the state of being when the brain and brain stem stop working and the effects
become irreversible. Once a person passes, his or her love ones go through many stages of grieving. The famous Kubler–Ross model, commonly
referred to as the "five stages of grief," is a great representation of the stages. These stages do not occur in any particular order, but it is predicted
these stages do occur in most people. The grievers not only have to cope with the loss of their love ones, but they also have to deal with the new
changes in their life (E., 2010). No matter the condition of death whether it be expected or unexpected, everyone has their own ways of dealing or
coping with death. Different religions and cultures practice death and grieving very differently from one another.Buddhism is not necessary a religion
but more of a philosophy that focuses on leading a moral life while being mindful of thoughts and actions. Buddhists practice the power of
mindfulness by staying focused on the mind and body in present conditions and becoming aware of the person. This is the idea of allowing a
person's mind to accept the reality of death from a love one. Accepting death releases all the pain and grief resulting in the ability to move on.
Buddhist sees death as a natural stepping stone into rebirth or to reach nirvana. Buddhists describes a story in which a woman pleaded the Buddha to
bring her child back to

Sinification: The First Introduction Of Buddhism Into China
The first introduction of Buddhism into China was in 1st c. CE. It spread throughout north and south China from the 2nd to the 7th centuries.
Buddhism was able to become so widespread and to gain so many believers in China due to a process called "sinification". Buddhism came under the
influence of Chinese culture to become a Chinese religion. Some prime examples of this "sinification" have to do with religious texts, the development
of Chinese Buddhist sects, and the conflation of Daoist deities and Buddhas and bodhisattvas. An important example of how Buddhism was "sinified"
has to do with religious texts. First came the translation of Buddhist sutras into Chinese. It was a lengthy process to translate the texts from Sanskirt,
Pali, and

Essay about The Evolution of Buddhism
Buddhism is a unique religion that bestows upon its members that their actions accumulate karma and too much bad karma leads to rebirth. A person
reaches Nirvana (also known as heaven) when achieving enlightenment and is no longer subjected to rebirth. Buddhism also believes there is no one
almighty god, but rather many gods, which they refer to as deities. Dharma is commonly known as the sacred teachings of a deity. The Buddha is only
born in certain situations that members are in need of re–teaching the Dharma. There are three schools of Buddhism also referred to as vehicles and are
taught in different geographic regions. The first is the oldest form known as Theravada and is usually found in Southeast Asia. The second is the most...
Suffering has a cause. Suffering can be suppressed. The way to suppression of suffering is the noble eight fold path, which consists of right view,
right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration," (CH'EN 33). The teachings of the
Buddha held a person to high morals and conduct. If a person went against these values, it would be considered the ultimate sin and would,
therefore, be trapped in the vicious cycle of rebirth. Theravada also known as "The Doctrine of the Elders," (CH'EN 30) was for a long time the
only teachings and means to obtain nirvana. Nevertheless, Mahayana came along and the appeal of less restrictive acceptance made it popular. One of
the major schools within Mahayana is Pure Land Buddhism, which contradicted the teachings of Theravada by allowing anyone to achieve nirvana by
devotion to the Buddha, Amitabha. In Theravada, a person's karma is the distinguishing factor of if and how long a person may be in heaven. Nirvana
is not a permanent place in Theravada, but in Pure Land Buddhism it is and that devotion undermines the concept of karma. The main philosophy of
Pure Land is that a person is not restricted or held to a high moral code. if a person, chants praises to Amitabha, they are relinquished from
transmigration. Theravada teaches its members that the Buddha is a human but not a single person, while Pure Land teaches its followers that
Amitabha is the

The Buddhist Temple of Chicago practices one of the most...
The Buddhist Temple of Chicago practices one of the most popular sects of Buddhism in Japan called Jodo Shinsu, also known as Pure Land
Buddhism (ShotЕЌ 1). Instead of stressing the Eight Fold Path, as traditional Theravada Buddhists do, Pure Land Buddhists chose to interpret the
teachings of the Buddha more freely (Wangu 1). Furthermore, Pure Land Buddhists seek guidance from Amitabha Buddha, a deity figure from
Mahayana Buddhism (Wangu 1). As the current ruler of the Western Paradise of Sahavaki, it is believed that when Amitabha Buddha was on the verge
of enlightenment, he made a vow claiming that if he attained Nirvana, he will help those who seek his name reach Nirvana as well (Wangu 1). Now,
devote Pure Land Buddhists proclaim ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The service began with the strike of a gong by Rev. Nakai followed by a brief moment of silent meditation. Afterwards, the Three Treasures, also
known as saranagamana, were recited. The three treasure state, "I go to the Buddha for guidance. I go to Dharma for guidance. I go to the Sangha
for guidance (budtempchi.org). Furthermore, these three treasures serve as a foundation of Buddhism (Irons 1). Although the Buddhist Temple of
Chicago is moving towards a more radical approach to Buddhism, the temple still uses some traditional traits of Buddhism. According to the
service book, the day I visited was Hatsu Mairi, which in Japanese means "first visit." On this day, the children of temple members are welcomed
to temple. So, the Dharma School children, aged from five to twelve, presented a game of Paramita Jeopardy. For myself and the rest of the
congregation, our skills of knowing the Six Paramitas were put to the test. Paramita, also known as a "perfection," include Donation, Morality,
Forbearance, Effort, Concentration, and Wisdom (Edwards 1). However the concept of the Paramitas may hold two different meanings in Buddhism.
In one sense they may be known as a "supreme." However in a more interpretive approach, a Paramita may signify "the other shore" where the
individual must leave the "shore of life" to reach to the "shore of Nirvana" (Edwards 1). The game was played for about fifteen minutes and ultimately
my team lost by

A Brief History of Japanese Religion Essay
A Brief History of Japanese Religion
The Buddha is said to have been born in India around 500 BCE. During his life time, he preached the benefits of the Middle Path, the road between
the two extremes of a decadent life style and severe austerities. Soon after the death of the founder, Buddhist missionaries began to travel through out
Asia, finding their way along the Silk Roads to China, first arriving around 100 CE. The climate there was hospitable to the teaching of the Buddha,
and soon Buddhism was counted along with Taoism and Confucianism as one of the major religions of the period. The Chinese interpreted the
Buddhist texts in a new light, and Chinese Buddhism began to take on its own distinctive character. Around 600 CE,... Show more content on
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Thus an ancient hero could become a kami, as could a venerable ancestor, or a mountain, or a natural phenomenon. In fact, to the ancient Japanese, the
entire universe was animated and alive with kami. These kami were generally described in ambiguous terms, taking on a super–natural aura. Kami who
were once people lost their human qualities. Many of their actions were strictly "context based"–they laid no hard and fast moral code that humans
should emulate or strive to follow. They were thought to live on some sort of heavenly plane, above the world we live in. One popular myth of
creation involved two kami (Izanagi and Izanami) coming down from the plane of heaven and creating Japan, along with all of its people, plants, and
animals. Another prominent kami was Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and founder of the line of Emperors. The kami were usually neither all good nor
all evil; depending on the situation, the kami could help or hinder human progress. The early Japanese did not attempt to unify the worship of kami; in
fact, it was not until the introduction of Buddhism to Japan that the Japanese used the word Shinto as a sort of umbrella term to distinguish their
indigenous religion from the foreign ideal of Buddhism.
So how did the Japanese worship these kami? There were two main rituals (that can still be found in Japan today). The first is a shamanic ritual, where
one would

The Avatamsaka Sutra ( Flower Ornament Sutra )
In China, this form and its association with the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower ornament sutra) is particularly representative of Buddhism in China, which
followed primarily the Mahayana and centered various schools on particular Mahayana Sutras. The period is reflected in the valuable metals and
gilding in gold as the Ming dynasty was a time of material prosperity and was particularly noted for its fine artists and artisans reflected in the beauty
of the sculpture. In the Avatamsaka Sutra, the central sutra of the Flower Garland School Vairocana Buddha resides at the center of the cosmos where
philosophically "one is all and all is in one".
Paragraph 3
Five Dhyana Buddhas– http://www.rinpoche.com/teachings/5families.pdf
The five are almost identically represented in art, all dressed in monastic garments, seated with folded legs, with the same hairdress and long–lobed
ears, but are distinguished by characteristic colours, symbols, poses of hands, and the directions they face. The five eternal Buddhas are correlated to
other groups of five, so that the entire cosmos is seen as divided between them and as emanating from them. Thus, each represents one of the five
skandhas, or mental and physical aggregatesthat make up the whole of cosmic as well as individual existence.
All Buddhas together symbolize the entire cosmos of the universe, the cosmos emerge from them as they emerge from the cosmos.
Vairocana is one of thefive Dhyani Buddhas. five Dhyana Buddhas (1–7)
вЃѓThe nature of

Nirvana Vs Hindu Moksha
Whether you are of South East Asian beliefs, of western religions like Christianity or Atheist, we all believe in different outcomes after death. The
Hindu belief of after afterlife and rebirth can be seen as the foundation for the Buddhists beliefs of the wheel of life and the pure land although many
believe that it is the ying to Buddhist yang. In order to understand these process we need to appreciate the Buddhist nirvana and the Hindu moksha.
Nirvana is a state of enlightenment in which there is no suffering, desire, nor sense of self. The individual is set free from the positive, negative and
neutral effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. This ideology represents the final goal of Buddhism. Every Buddhist wants to reach ... Show
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The Hindu religion believes that moksha is a central concept, which is indeed included in the four aspects of life. The other three aspects and
goals of human life in the Hindu religions are, the dharma which is both a religious law and also a moral law influencing individual conduct and is
as well one of the four ends of life. The artha essentially translates to the meaning, sense, goal, purpose or essence of life. Finally karma, the last
aspect and goal for human life is believe to have governed all consciousness, karma is in no way fate, because we act with what is simplified as
conditioned free will which is creating our own destinies. The many deities of Hinduism such as Shiva or Vishnu can be seen and interpreted as one
grand deva who has been broken up into multiple deities for easier purposes of prayer and ritual. The many deities, each represent different qualities
and goals of prayer: most are of forms of protection, but other deities can be prayed to for monetary wealth, strength or even better grades in school
(which includes the learning and mastering of instruments). Prayer can be conducted by hymn singing, fire sacrifice or even puja, which is a series of
movements and gestures, as well as dressing of the statue and pouring of foods and liquids. Different phrases are used in ancient literature for different
strains of Hinduism. For example, Keval jnana

Essay about The History and Practice of Buddhism (Mahayana...
The religion Buddhism came from Buddha' meaning to awaken. 300 million people around the world are practitioners of Buddhism. In the United
States, about one million people serve one form of Buddhism. From Indian, China, Japan, Russia to the United States have practitioners of Buddhism.
Siddhartha Gotama known as Buddha was the creator of Buddhism some 2,500 year ago in India. Buddha taught his followers a philosophy teaching a
way of life not just a religion. Buddha also taught followers: have a spiritual life, to stay mindful and aware of thinking paths gain, and achieve
wisdom and understanding of one physical and spiritual life.
History of Buddhism Buddha was born in 563BC to a royal family in the land call Lumbini, India. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
He or she will suffer if one expects people to conform to he or she convictions of right or wrong reasoning. If we want people to like us, we must not
conform to convictions. Craving or distaste will lead to physical suffering because it causes to us to reborn. Craving, want, or distaste he or she will not
gain guarantee happiness.
Third truth, he or she can overcome suffering and gain happiness, contentment maybe possible here on earth. If he or she give up materials craving,
and live one day at a time and do not worry about what he or she had or have in any form of material possessions. This is the Nirvana.
Noble 8–fold Path
The Buddhist believe the noble 8–fold path is spirtual concerning what he or she will say, do live, and speak to others. He or she is fully aware of
daily thoughts, actions and by developing compassion for other until death. Continue to develop wisdom by understanding the beliefs of the four noble
truths.
Conclusion
Buddha's teaching during first centauries BC was a development of the S`ramana movement to seek happiness for practitioners. Buddhist teaching is
not a branch of Hinduism, but Hinduism has influences on Buddhism. Any human being here can understand and accept Buddhism teachings on earth.
Mayhayana Mayhayana (great vehicle) this form of Buddhism became prominent during the reign Kanishka who rule India during the first centuries
BC and AD. The Mayhayana movement made

Standing Amida Nyorai Essay
The Japanese sculpture Standing Amida Nyorai, also known as AmitДЃbha Buddha, is modernly located in the department of Asian Art at the Museum
of Fine Arts of Houston in Texas. The medium of the Standing Amida Nyorai sculpture is wood with gold pigment. It also has cut gold leaf, and its
eyes have an inlaid of crystal eyes. This figure has a simple robe and it completes lack of adornments. However, it has tight spiral curls forming a bun
atop of its head. This sculpture has a Halo of 113.4 centimeters and a pedestal of 42.1 centimeters, showing a Raigo–in, also known as Reasoning
MudrДЃ.Overall, the Standing Amida Nyorai sculpture is 32 half inches (82.5 centimeters). The description posted below this figure on the Museum of
Fine Arts of Houston says that this sculpture is a Nyorai that is a Buddhist deity who ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The Standing Amida Nyorai sculpture is standing on a lotus throne that symbolizes divine birth. A lotus flower also means a symbol of purity (Jansen
62). The Standing Amida Nyorai figure represents the one made by Amida in Japan or AmitДЃbha in Indian at the moment of his descending from his
paradise to welcome a dying individual into his heavenly realm, also called the Pure Land. This position is also called RaigЕЌ. AmitДЃbha is the
fourth Jina. Jinas are cataloged as "'He whose splendour is immeasurable'" in India (Jansen 134). AmitДЃbha is also called the Buddha of intellectual
power (Jansen 135). It said that while he was still a Bodhisattva that is an aspiring Buddha, AmitДЃbha meditated for five Kalpas that means Indian
aeons before pronouncing his great vow in 48 points by which he undertook to save al beings, irrespective of who or where they were (Jensen 135).
Amida or AmitДЃbha was seemed as a great identity at that because of what he

Enlightenment In China Research Paper
The Paths to Enlightenment in China: The Rocky Road of Chan Buddhism vs The Smooth Path of Pure Land Buddhism I plan to do a comparative
paper between achieving enlightenment in the Chan tradition versus achieving enlightenment in the Pure Land tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. I will
be specifically looking at the difficulty of achieving enlightenment within these two groups and through the explanations provided by my paper it will
be determined that it is difficult to achieve enlightenment in the Chan tradition and it is significantly easier to achieve enlightenment in the Pure Land
tradition.
I will argue the ease of achieving enlightenment in the Pure Land tradition versus the difficulty of achieving enlightenment in the Chan tradition ...
In addition to a paragraph containing the work that goes into attaining enlightenment in both traditions with sub points being a comparison between the
self power versus other power and gaining insights into the rituals in both traditions, I will focus a paragraph on looking at the time it takes one to
attain enlightenment in these traditions. Within this paragraph I will look at the sudden vs gradual enlightenment debate and what both entail. I will
generally connect both schools to sudden enlightenment but while some would argue that this means that enlightenment happens instantaneously in
both, I will counter that there is somewhat of a gradual enlightenment component to Zen Buddhism making this the tradition in which enlightenment is
slower to achieve. I will justify this claim through evidence provided by the Laб№…kДЃvatДЃra SЕ«tra which is an important sutra in Chan
Buddhism. In this Sutra I will point to its endorsement of the Buddha Nature in graduations and will use a quotation by Chan master Sheng Yen that
talks about the importance of deepening your self–nature and maturing to attain enlightenment. I will compare this information to sudden
enlightenment in the Pure Land Buddhism which entails chanting the name of Amitabha. I will acknowledge the debate in the tradition surrounding
the number of times one has to do recite the name of Amitahba in order to be reborn in the Pure Land and will point to

The World Of The Apocalypse
Introduction
Unsurprisingly, apocalyptic tendencies make their way into nearly every civilization time and time again. From modern day film and literature, to
ancient religions, talk of the apocalypse is unavoidable. Despite Buddhism being a religion with tenants based on detachment from the material,
emphasis on the distinguishment of suffering, and an enlightened existence, there have been several notable moments in East Asian history when
Buddhism was the source of all apocalyptic panic. The first took place in 6th century China when Chinese intellectuals closely examined the "Three
Ages of Dharma"–– dharma being a word "used to describe both the teachings of the Buddha and their underlying moral laws" (9, The Art of
Buddhism, Denise ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The same Three Age theory then made its way to 9th century Japan but had adverse effects on the culture. Instead of increasing their production of
Buddhist art, intellectuals turned to writing pessimistic texts reflecting on the failures of the government and the military. In terms of explaining how
an apocalyptic Buddhist panic can be considered a moral panic, turning to the writing of Sean P. Hier is most revealing. He writes, "scholars within
and beyond the panic literature commonly conceptualize moral panics as exceptional rather than ordinary phenomena to explain seemingly irrational
reactions to putative threats" (1, Bringing Moral Panic Studies into Focus, Hier). With this scholarly interpretation, Hier details a moral panic as
being some "phenomena" with "irrational reactions"; a broad definition that certainly allows the tumultuous stages of an apocalyptic panic to translate
to a moral panic. In China, they followed a specific outline of apocalyptic moral panics in that they felt their existence threatened, accepted their fate,
proceeded to frantically increase their production of art and text in order to leave a legacy, and finally turned to their religion for salvation. Japan's
reaction was far different, proving the existence of a background ebb and flow

Artistic Gateway Of The Silk Road
Artistic Gateway to the Silk Road As history has progressed and ideas have travelled the globe, there have been many locations that may be considered
cultural hubs. These places are often at the meeting place of cultures, wherein religious ideas and artistic styles are traded as often as food and money.
One such religion that spread through these cultural hubs was Buddhism, which found its beginning India, and it traversed the world as followers of
this belief system grew and expanded their worldly domain. Buddhist monks then built several cave temple systems throughout China, some on the
famous Silk Route, including a temple system known as the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, located in the Gansu Province in Western China. As one of
the most important locations on the Silk Route, located where travelers from the West would have first encountered Chinese territory, these Buddhist
caves served as a place to stay for the travel weary and today serve as an archival relic to the history of Buddhism and art styles throughout Chinese
history. "Imagine artist–monks in an oasis providing a safe haven, both physically and spiritually to travelers at a remote location along the Silk Road
... The Mogao Grottoes site thereby gains even more value" as a cultural and historical site. Founded in 111 B.C.E. by Emperor Wudi as theHan
Dynasty was expanding from the Yellow River valley, Dunhuang became an important location, militarily and culturally. The name of the town itself
has importance,

Buddhism Pure Land Essay
AO1: "Examine the distinctive features of Pure Land Buddhism"
Pure Land Buddhism offers a way to enlightenment for people who can't handle the subtleties of meditation, endure long rituals, or just live especially
good lives. The essential practice in Pure Land Buddhism is the chanting of the name Amitabha Buddha with total concentration, trusting that one will
reborn in Pure Land, where it is much easier for a being to work towards enlightenment. Pure Land Buddhism is particularly popular in China and
Japan.
Pure Land Buddhism as a school of Buddhist thinking began in India around the 2nd century BCE. Tan Luan was the first master of Pure Land
lineage. He had his religious calling while recovering from a serious illness. He said he ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Honen popularised the chanting of 'Namu Amida Butsu'. The result was a form of Buddhism accessible to anyone, even if they were illiterate or stupid.
Honen didn't simplify Buddhism through a patronising attitude to inferior people. He believed that most people, and he included himself, could not
achieve liberation through any of their own activities. They only way to achieve Buddhahood was through the help of Amitabha.
A century after Honen, one of his disciples Shinran brought a new understanding of Pure Land ideas. Shinran taught that what truly mattered was not
the chanting but just said have faith in Amida – making it simpler, yet more strange. Chanting on its own had no value at all.
AO2: "Pure Land Buddhism is the easy route/path of Buddhism" Assess this claim
Pure Land Buddhism can be seen as both an easy and difficult path of Buddhism.
Pure Land Buddhism can be seen as an easy route because Buddhists can get help to enlightenment and can still reach heaven if they have had a bad
life by just reciting the name Amitabha with complete trust and sincerity. Pure Land also surrenders personal responsibility, which means they don't
have to go through the eightfold path or the Tibetan wheel of life meaning that it is simple. In addition, on a deathbed, a person can get transported to
sukhavati heaven if they call out to Amitabha. It is easy to live a non moral life and then chant out

Comparing The Dunhuang Caves Of China And Japan
Throughout history, Japanese architecture has often been compared to that of Chinese architecture due to the dominant influence of techniques and
styles that originated in China, but are illustrated throughout the art of Japan. Although the similarities between designs are fundamentally alike, there
are apparent differences between the two. The Japanese incorporated things like lifestyle differences, climate changes, and construction materials.
Religion, primarily Buddhism, was a key component considered while designing the architectural structures that inhabited both China and Japan. This in
turn ultimately impacted other corresponding aspects of each culture. A comparison of The Dunhuang Caves of China and the Temple of Todai
–ji of
Japan, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Buddhism grew quickly to be associated with the Imperial Court connecting that of sacred and secular power for the future centuries of Japanese ruling.
During the ruling of Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo, Buddhism grew in Nara. The merging of Buddhist doctrine and political policy supported
Buddhism as the protector of the state. It was later ruled that throughout the provinces, temples, monasteries, and convents would be built. These
monasteries, through the Kokubin–ji system, would be under the newly built chief temple, Todai–ji, in the capital of Nara (Stokstad,

Analysis: The Western Paradise Of Buddha
1.The Western Paradise Of Amitabha Buddha, 10'2" x 16', Cave 217 Dunhaung Gansu, 346, Tang dynasty, Paint.
2.In the painting there is around 45 people that i can see. Most are wearing robes so i would guess they are monks, however there is three big
people who seem to be the center of attention i think they are buddha in the middle and two random gods on either side of buddha.It looks as if the
people are either praying to Buddha or they are listening to a speech he is giving. Buddha looks to be siting on a throne or pot like chair. In the
very bottom middle there are two dancers who are standing in the canal that drops of after surrounding Buddha. On the left side of the painting there
seems to be a pond next to these group of monks. Every person is wearing some type of robes thats why i think they are monks. There is nine
buildings all based on chinese agrocultre. Buddha and the three other important people have what looks like halos made of wood and grass and other
nature things floating above their head. There are channels of water that go through the area ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The painting has a really good color contrast that makes certain things pop out at you first like Buddha and his red robes are the first thing that
draws your eye when looking at the painting.The Buildings and people have really symetrical shapes to one another they are the same on one side as
the are on the other side. The paintings paint has really held up well to the passing of colors because the painting still has not only color but vibrant
colors. The Building have the standard chinese shape but in the picture they point out wards so as to try and give the illusion of 3d.
4.This Painting Changed Religous Beliefs Buddhism became popular were even sinners were permitted into paradise to listen and be cleansed by
Buddha. This is supported in the paintings as there are mass groups of people sitting and listening to buddha. This painting was to show how the after
life for Buddhism worked and who goes

Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
Abraham Lincoln once said "Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." In
Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart she tells a story about a culture deeply rooted in tradition that's facing the prospect of change. The story gives the
reader an insight on the reality of change and it effects on the characters. The aggravated circumstances of whether or not change should have advantage
over tradition oftentimes involves questions of both societal and personal status and reputation. An example being the protagonist, Okonkwo, who
opposed the incoming political and religious changes, for the idea that such practices are "unmanly" and in turn he would eventually be seen as weak
and... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Achebe uses Unoka, Okonkwo's father as an example to this in saying, "Unoka... was a failure. He was poor and his wife and children had barely
enough to eat. People laughed at him because he was a loafer... When Unoka died he had taken no title at all and he was heavily in debt. Any
wonder then that his son Okonkwo was ashamed of him." (pg. 4) Thus showing the reader that the social hierarchy played such an important role in
their clan that a son can come to resent their father for not being in a respectable position in the society. We see a similar emphasis on Status and
reputation, instead through the use of religion in MoliГЁre's play, Tartuffe where Madame Pernelle visit but soon decides to leave her son Orgon's
house, for she believes that the household lacks respect and morals. She deems her grandson Damis as a fool and brat, and granddaughter Mariane
fragile. Pernelle also believes that the servants shouldn't have opinions for they are beneath her. The only person who seemingly earns her praise is a
religious man who goes by Tartuffe invited by Orgon to stay with the family due to his apparent piety. The family doesn't believe that Tartuffe is being
honest and that he is using the power of religion to manipulate Orgon, yet Madame Pernelle chooses to side with Tartuffe and claims he's just trying to
show them the way to heaven. After Madame Pernelle departs, the servant Dorine and Orgon's brother–in–law Cleante discuss how they might
convince Orgon that Tartuffe is manipulating him. Damis is concerned that, under Tartuffe's influence, Orgon might refuse to let Mariane marry her
beloved Valere even though he has already promised to approve the match. When Orgon arrives, Cleante begs him to see through Tartuffe's act, but
Orgon waxes poetic about

Death Bed Testimonials Summary
In Death–Bed Testimonials of the Pure Land Faithful, Stevenson presents different stories about people and their destination to the Pure Land. He
states, "the writing of exemplary testimonials and creation of hagiographical collections for the purposes of spreading the faith" (Stevenson 283). In a
way, these testimonials are an image of Buddha. They still represent the ideas ofBuddhism. Although they are not a physical representation of a
person, they still pertain to the religion. A boy named Kang did not speak until he was seven years old. The first time he spoke, he was responding to
his mother about Buddha. He left his home at a young age to go follow his faith in Buddhism. He preached to people, "The Buddha Amitabha is your
teacher and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Prayer flags carry great meaning to Buddhists; "the wind is said to carry the benefits beseeched by the prayer imprinted on the fluttering flag, both to
the person who flies the flag and to all brings in the region" (Lopez 583). This backs up the central idea that was discussed during the group
presentations about Buddhist organizations. Buddhism today focuses on the well–being of everyone, not only Buddhists. In this story, Lopez explains
that Tara "first vowed to achieve Buddhahood in order to free all brings from samara" (Lopez 584). She is an icon today that has twenty–one different
forms. Tara is a Buddha that helps people in their time of need. Her prayer is known by many and can be "recited especially by travelers to protect
them in their long journeys on foot and horseback across mountains and plains" (Lopez 584). She is someone that all people can pray to if they
believe. She is someone who can overall be trusted and counted on; "If one wants a child one will have one; indeed all desires will be granted, no
hindrances will stand in the way, and buddhahood will be achieved" (Lopez 584). This notion makes it seem like attaining Buddhahood is simple. In
class we discussed that Buddhahood is universal as far as the Mahayana Buddhism. Within the concepts of Mahayana dharma, Buddhas have and will
always exist and everyone possess the Buddha nature. When

Essay on Christianity And Buddhism Compared
Buddhist and Christian Prayer: A Comparison in Practice and Purpose
At first glance the traditions of Christianity and Buddhism appear very different from each other. One centers around a God that was at one time
physically manifest on earth in the human form of his "son" Jesus Christ, the other primarily worships a historical figure that gained divine status
through enlightenment. This assessment is broad at best, especially in the case of Buddhism where the Theravada and Mahayana traditions differ
significantly. Christianity also has division within itself, the most prominent being between the Roman Catholic and Protestant systems. There are
however, despite obvious differences, some very interesting similarities between Buddhism and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
For instance, both traditions make use of beads during the performance of prayer. Pure Land Buddhism uses a string of beads that are fingered while
invoking the name of the celestial Amitabha, or Amida Buddha. A ritual that is very close to the Roman Catholic practice of counting prayers and
praying with a rosary. Pure Land Buddhism thus displays a strong resemblance to devotional Christianity, with a God–figure (Omitofo), a mediator
(Guanyin), and a prayerful devotion resembling the rosary (Amore and Ching 273). The mediator for Chinese Pure Land prayer is Guanyin, a
feminized version of the boddhisatva Avalokitesvara. Guanyin is very similar to the virgin Mary of Roman Catholicism, and as such is sometimes
called the "virgin Mary of east Asia" (Amore and Ching 247) as the bodhisattva she acts as the assistant to the celestial Buddha; Amitabha (Omitofo
in Chinese) who is seen as the giver of grace and salvation much the same as God is seen as the giver of grace and salvation and Mary as the
mediator or assistant in Roman Catholicism (Amore and Ching 273). These observations display a definite similarity in prayer techniques between the
traditions in question. Both traditions make use of beads as a means for counting the prayers recited, also the fact that the prayers are directed to the
female assistants of the supreme deities could mean that the followers thought a female mediator to be more compassionate to the needs of the
worshipper.
Christian

The Great Buddha Of Kamakura, Japan
In the city of Kamakura, Japan sits The Great Buddha of Kamakura, or in Japanese, Daibutsu. This large bronze statue is located in Kotokuin, a
Buddhist temple and stands at 13.35 meters (almost 44 feet), weighing in at 93 tons (Figure 1). Cast in 1252 in the Kamakura period, the statue sat
under a wooden structure for cover. But the building was destroyed by a tsunami in the 15th century and the statue has since endured the elements. The
Buddha statue is actually the second largest Buddha monument in Japan, is considered a National Treasure and is at the center of what many think is
one of the city's greatest cultural heritages, the Kotokuin temple (Daibutsu 2). This monument is impressive not only for its size but also for the
importance it holds in Buddhist culture and belief.
The Great Buddha is an example and reminder for Japanese Buddhists that to be enlightened, one must disregard desire and be compassionate to all,
like the Buddha; it also displays in the artwork specific attributes of the Buddha as well as Mudras, or meaningful hand gestures and is also one of the
most popular visiting sites in Japan.
Japan has had Buddhist practices since 552 A.D. TodayBuddhism is still a huge part of the culture with about 85 million people or two thirds of the
population identifying with Buddhist teachings. (Buswell 384). It is important to note that Japanese Buddhism differs from traditional Buddhism; in
Japan the most popular schools of Buddhism are Pure Land Buddhism,

Essay on Buddhism in Japan
"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future; it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and
theology; it covers both the natural and spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as
a meaningful unity." Albert Einstein (Buddhism)
Buddhism has affected many people. From the Buddha's first followers to my next door neighbor, people everywhere have followed the teachings of
Buddhism. Buddhism was started by a Prince; a prince who wanted more. Many different ways of showing appreciation to Buddha are present in
today's society as well as when Buddhism was first started. There are paintings, carvings, statues and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
One was an elderly man, another was a man suffering from illness, and finally he saw a dead body surrounded by mourners. Since he had never
seen anything like this before, he asked his charioteer what these things were. He responded to the Prince that these things were natural and
unavoidable, and happened to everyone. Once again Siddhartha asked his charioteer to take him out into the city; this time he was to see the last of
four images that would change his life forever. The last sight he saw was a wandering old holy man with no possessions. His head was completely
shaved and he was wearing a yellow robe. Having seen all these things, Buddha not only became aware of the pain and suffering of humankind, but
was also prompted to do something about it. He left his family in search of the answers to his questions (Buddhism).
Siddhathra traveled throughout the northeastern portion of India, seeking out holy men and teachers who taught him ancient Indian techniques of
meditation. Even though meditation was important to him, his main quest was to find the answer to the problem of suffering. He wanted to know
why they were suffering and how it could stop. So Siddhartha studied the teachings of Hinduism. He was very fascinated by the belief of
reincarnation or Samsara. (This was the belief of the soul, after death, would travel to a new body and be born again.) Depending on the person's
previous life, their soul could enter a body of a higher or lower state of

How Did Heian Culture Influence Tang China
After the reign of the Tang Dynasty, the influence of the Chinese was nearing its completion, both in religion and culture. The following years
spanning 794 to 1185 was known as the Heian period. The Heian period can be classified into 3 distinct phases over its four centuries. Early Heian
(794–951), Middle Heian or Fujiwara (951–1086), and Late Heian or Insei (1086–1185). During the Early Heian Period the shift in power from
Buddhist community back to the Aristocratic families is fully realized. The Court culture that was heavily adopted from Tang Chinese influences
facilitated this shift. Buddhism makes a transition from a cultural state presence to a set of complex philosophies. During the Early Period it was the
people realized that they had nothing left to learn from Chinese influence and started to look to themselves for as the center of all things. Poetry began
during this time in Heian aristocratic society not simply as a personal accomplishment which could prove the quality of a gentlemen or gentlewoman as
it had been since at least the Nara period. It became a more sophisticated ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Amida, the Buddha of the Western Pure Land, was said to save believers through rebirth in his realm. The idea of eternal salvation in the Pure Land
helped spread Buddhism to all classes of Japanese society. The most important surviving monument in Japan relating to Pure Land is Phoenix Hall.
Inside the Phoenix Hall is a famous Amida image, the Amida Nyorai, by Jocho. A truly remarkable work. It sits serenely on its pedestal. It stands in
the meditation gesture, and its eyes in an unfocused gaze. The Raigo triptych in the Juhakkain of the Yoshi Hachiman Association of Mount Koya
demonstrates the development of this genre. The Amida Buddha is represented in a gold figure seated in a formal, cross–legged position on a golden
lotus blossom

Mahasthamaprapta In Penn Museum
Sculpture Mahasthamaprapta in Penn Museum
–– Its Iconology and Possible Time Period
On either side of the entrance door of Chinese section in Penn Museum are two particularly charming life–sized Bodhisattva statues in gray limestone,
C111 and C112, which are considered as a pair and most likely to be made by the same artist. They belong to the T'ang dynasty, that period in which
Buddhist sculpture reaches its height of perfection.
C111, the left side one, with a headdress, is the main sculpture that I want to discuss in this paper. Being purchased from C. T. Loo , who's been
considers as the leading Chinese artifacts dealer in the twentieth century , the statue, combines a bodhisattva image with a lotus base, is in excellent
condition, although ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Let's compare his face with the head of a bodhisattva statue from Longmen Cave. The sharp–ridged eyebrows, the contemplative almond eyes, the
triangular nose, the pointed chin, comprised this typical Northern Wei and early Eastern Wei style head. All of these facial features differ from the soft
and round ones in C111. Moreover, from another comparison with the beautiful limestone head from the cave temple of Xiangtangshan, we can see
that this more contemporary one is still with sharper contours, especially of the eyes and the mouth. Here the idealized face of a full–blown Tang
beauty from Tianlongshan, with a small, slightly opened mouth, is so expressive that it seems as though he is about to speak. The shape of the head
is rounder and the carving for facial features is softer with time going by, so the bodhisattva is more and more nearly human looking. By executing
vertical comparison with Wei Dynasty, Northern Qi and Middle Tang's bodhisattvas' heads examples, we could perhaps draw a conclusion that C111's
style is Early

Buddhism At The Gate Of The Fo Guang Shan Hsi Fang
It was a rather casual Wednesday morning when I arrived at the gate of the Fo Guang Shan Hsi Fang Temple. As the dews drip from the tall bush of
grass in front of the red gate, I rang the bell to ask for permission to enter the sacred Buddhist Temple. A female monk named Miaozang slowly opens
the door to let me and a fellow student in. Having been born and raised in Vietnam, which is predominantly a Buddhist influenced country, yet grew up
in the States in a Catholic high school, I did not strongly identify with any particular religion. Thus, I took this opportunity to learn more about
Buddhism by interviewing the monk and took part in a guided meditation session. Each small details from the moment I entered such as the sense of the
incense, the lion statues, the mild background chanting, and so on are intentionally set up to make sure that I, the visitor, can have the most
wholesome Buddhist experience while being inside the temple. Buddhism, through its teachings, which are called Buddha Dharma, and other rituals
such as meditations and chanting, strives to set up an environment that helps its practitioners reach the state of enlightenment, where one can see the
reality of the world and the truth behind everything.
Hsi Fang Temple is a two–story building in the town of University Heights, located on Park Street. From the outside, it is a minimalistic building with
white walls on all sides. In the front, just above the entrance arc, there is an artifact in the shape of a

Fukuda Kojin Research Paper
Fukuda Kodojin (1865 – 1944) was a Japanese master of painting, haiku, and a type of calligraphy known as kanshi. Kodojin lived almost through
World War II and maintained a literati lifestyle to the end of his days. His art name Kodojin means "the old Taoist". Kodojin grew up in the Meiji
Restoration (1868–1912), a time when Japan was suddenly modernizing and westernizing because of intense pressure from the Western colonial
powers. This period sought to modernize Japan, keeping close interest in all things European – science, music, philosophy, art, and fashion. The
Japanese, to compete in a modern world, looked to remake their country as an Asian version of England or Germany. During this time, more and more
people turned towards Western... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Kodojin's Japanese poetry was exhibited through his own haikus, a poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five. In an
ever–changing world, he focused on simple things like nature, things that cannot be changed. His haikus represent Dao; harmony, natural order, the
absolute principle underlying the universe. The following haiku written by Kodojin alluding to Tao's love of chrysanthemums, which the poet had
planted by a hedge, "over the hedge/ a few mountains can be seen/ chrysanthemums/ Your house too/ planted only with/ yellow chrysanthemums,"
exhibits the inner peace one feels in nature, which signifies the meaning of

Buddhism Influence
As Buddhism developed, there was a great request for Buddhist texts to be converted from Indian languages into Chinese. This headed to the influx of
translators from Central Asia and India. The initial prominent one was Anshigao from Central Asia who came to China in the middle of the second
century. With a budding collection of Chinese translations of Buddhist texts,Buddhism became more broadly known and a Chinese monastic
command was also designed. The first recognized Chinese monk was said to be Anshigao's follower. The influences Buddhism had was extravagant.
Praying and being devout were not the only ways to express Buddhism. Buddhist beliefs are expressed in artwork, music, literature, and architecture.
Buddhist art expanded and changed as it modified to the new countries where the belief was growing. It advanced to the north through Central Asia and
into Eastern Asia to form the Northern division of Buddhist art. It went to the east as far as Southeast Asia to form the... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
The traditions or Dharma of the Buddha reference music on many cases. It is printed in an significant Buddhist text the Amitabha Sutra, that blissful
singing and chanting is heard all day and night in the world around us. Music for a long time has been altered for use in numerous formalities like
weddings, funerals, and so on. Therefore, Buddhist Music plays a very dominant role in normal cultural exercise among the observant. Buddhist Music
exploits a rich assortment of musical devices. Other than the inverted bell, supposed to have initiated in northern India, the instruments used in
customary Buddhist Music are natural to China, and include the gong, large bell (qing), large drum (gu), a resounding wooden block known as the
wooden fish, small cymbals, large cymbals and Chinese

Zen Buddhism
Zen Buddhism emphasizes much like the Shinto tradition the act of cleansing, accept that it focuses on meditation as a way to purify the mind. This
interpretation of purification as seen within the Buddhist teachings, is the attempt to clear the mind of contaminated beliefs, concepts, and materials,
which can be harmful to someone seeking enlightenment. This can be understood by Dogen who wrote within the Bendowa that the, "The person
seated in zazen without fail casts off body and mind, severs all the heretofore disordered and defiled thoughts and views emanating from his
discriminating consciousness, conforms totally with the genuine Buddha Dharma," (Dogen 2002, p. 12). Within this section of the text, Dogen uses a
metaphysical approach to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The negativity of being attached to materialistic objects and desires are the two most prominent possessions that Dogen explains must be destroyed in
order to achieve absolute awareness. This belief is evident when Dogen states that, "Leaving no perceptions in any sphere or directions; all living
beings use it unceasingly, with no sphere or direction appearing in their perceptions," (Dogen 2002, p. 8). This describes Dogen's thought that by being
restricted or limited to think in a certain way can be a leading influence where pollutants of the mind can grow and fester. The historical context of the
following passage was that Dogen gave the distinction that zazen was the more superior technique. This was asserted in order to gain a better
understanding of the prominent technique that was utilized by the Buddha during his pilgrimage to Japan and China. It remains evident that much like
Shinto tradition, Zen Buddhism attempts to clarify within its own interpretation the causes of these types of mental toxins, and ways in which they can
be cured. Although Shinto focuses primarily on physical impurities, Zen Buddhism describes them on a spiritual level and so it is through this where
we can see the clear relations that the two respective religions have with each

The Kushan Empire: 2nd Century BCE To The Second Century
The Kushan Empire the second century BCE to the second century CE influenced the Silk Roads in China firstly through the spread of Buddhism. As
seen in The Questions of King Milinda, Menander prior to the Kushan Empire played a role in converting Buddha from a sage to a god and in his
conversation with NДЃgasena justified the giving of jewels and tribute to Buddha. As a result, Buddhists fueled trade for the import of valuables, and
the donated riches to Buddhist monasteries became sapta ratana, "The Seven Treasures" of the Buddhalands. These valuable included gold, silver,
beryl, crystal, red pearls, coral, and diamonds. When the Kushan Empire was established, the empire benefitted from the Buddhists traveling through
that made donations,

Comparing Buddhism and Christianity Essay
Comparing Buddhism and Christianity
In the early sixth century Christianity was evolving at a rapid pace. The spread of Christianity was not only moving westward through Europe, but it
was also moving eastward down the Silk Road. The eastward spread of Christianity was primarily a form of Christianity known as Nestorianism, after
the teachings of Nestorius, a fifth century patriarch. By 635 Nestorian Christianity had reached the heart of China spreading through all of Persia and
India. During the middle of the seventh century Nestorian churches were found in cities all along the Silk Road, though there were unquestionably
many fewer Christians than Buddhists in Asia Up until the turn of the sixteenth century Christianity endured ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The sutra explains that salvation could be gained by calling on the name of Amitabha with absolute faith in his vow of a pure land. It is said that with
absolute faith in Amitabha he would appear at the time of death to lead the faithful to paradise or the pure land. In China the beginnings of the Pure
Land Buddhism can be traced back as far as the fourth century. During the fourth century a well–known scholar named Hui–yuan formed a society of
monks who meditated on the name of Amitabha. Hui–yuan a former Taoist promoted this school of Buddhism and in 402 AD he founded the
Fellowship pf the White Lotus from which Pure Land School was developed. During the sixth and seventh centuries T'an–luan, Tao–ch'o and
Shan–tao spread the sect of Pure Land Buddhism and are recognized as the first patriarchs of the school. Monks of the Tendai School later brought
the Pure Land teaching to Japan. In 1133 AD Honen was born and at the early age of thirteen he was ordained as a Buddhist monk. Honen spent
thirty year in training at the Tendai School on Mt. Hiei where he gained a large knowledge of all forms of Buddhism. At the age of forty Honen
broke away from his Tendai teaching and began to write the foundations of Pure Land Buddhism. Honen completed his work in 1175 AD and began
to preach the faith of Pure Land. As a result of Honen simple religion of hope he became

A path to spiritual discovery
As Madhu Bazaz Wangu indicates, Buddhism is a path to spiritual discovery (8). Being Buddhism, a non–theistic religion, their disciples follow the
monotheistic doctrine demonstrating they believe in only one deity. Siddhartha Gautama, mostly known as Buddha––the enlightened––, is the one
deity Buddhists believe in. As Wangu writes, Siddhartha practiced severe self–denial and meditation before he could reach Nirvana (state of mind that
ends the path of suffering) (8). Siddhartha came to the conclusion that in order to reach Nirvana one should be able to eliminate desire by doing right
and thinking right. This could be done by following the Dharma (the law of Buddhism). Because the Buddha never wrote down any of his teachings,
his disciples ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Because Shunyata teaches that everything is independent, and that only understanding this concept will allow to eliminate disturbing emotions in order
to reach Nirvana, it is the primordial philosophy in Mahayana. Shunyata can be realized by purification, practice of ethics, and single–pointed
concentration; this will allow the individual to understand him/her self as an independent I. Moreover, it allows realizing that society does not shape an
individual, but an individual shapes his/her self by comprehending shunyata. Even though Mahayana Buddhists believe in Buddha, they believe in a
different form of Buddha; Bodhisattva––Being of Wisdom. As Heinrich Dumoulin points out, a Bodhisattva is an enlightened Buddhist monk who
delays Nirvana in order to help other people obtain release from the path of suffering. Mahayana Buddhists believe that Buddha had been a
Bodhisattva in his past lives before he was born as Siddartha Gautama. Apart from showing compassion, a bodhisattva also plays a sacrificial role just
as any other deity in order to help the latest individual to obtain nirvana. Being a savior, a bodhisattva practices the Six Virtues, or Paramitas to gain
merit for humankind. According to Wangu, the Six Virtues are, the perfection of giving (dana), the perfection of morality (sila), the perfection of
patience (santi), the perfection of courage (virya), the perfection of meditation (dhyana), and the perfection of wisdom

The Buddha Vairocana And Buddhism
Buddhism was introduced into Japan in Nara Period through Korea, with only some scripts in Chinese writing. At the time, Japanese find their
country in lack of civilization like writing and cultural religion. By sending people to China to accept more doctrine from foreign countries, different
Buddhism schools are developed later in time. During the end of Heian Period, one of the popular sect is dedicated to Shingon, which is established
by a monk named "Kukai". Buddha Vairocanais one of many Buddhas revered by this particular sects of esoteric Buddhism, also among the Chinese
school of Hua–Yen(еЌЋдёҐ). This essay will be focusing on the Buddha Vairocana, the meaning behind this Sanskrit name, his wisdom and doctrine
and his characteristic Mudra (hand gesture, a major practice in esoteric Buddhism) will be explained. The essence on how this Buddha is introduced
into Japan, along with traditions and activities that are relevant to Buddhism in general will be also stated in this essay.
Shingon, (Japanese: "True Word") a branch of Vajrayana (Tantric, or Esoteric) Buddhism is one of the three main schools of Buddhism in Asia, most
widely practiced today in Tibet. In Vajrayana Buddhism, the concept of Five Dhyani Buddhas (Skt. for "concentration"), also known as the Five
Wisdom Buddhas, are representations of the five wisdom aspects of Buddha. With Amitabha presented in the West, Vairocana sits at the centre turning
the Wheel of Dharma (teaching). (Vairocana, 2016)
Over the time,

Comparing Buddhism In Ancient China And Japan
First, Comparing Buddhism in ancient China and Japan. Buddhism in ancient Japan was similar to Buddhism in China because, it was the Chinese
who introduced Buddhism to Japan in the first place and when the Chinese introduced this idea it "...became immensely popular, at least with the upper
classes." Another way that Buddhism in Japan was the same in China is because in Japan, when Buddhism was introduced it taught people to achieve
Buddhahood through the eightfold path, and in China when it was introduced between 1 and 100 AD it taught the teachings of Buddha which is
basically the same fundamentals with different names. Some examples of the teachings are the search for the truth of things such as what is your
motivation to do things and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Ritual announcements by the emperor came to embody elements of both Shinto and Buddhism..." This shows how different Buddhism in Japan is to
Buddhism in China. Another reason why Buddhism and Shintoism get along so well is because the doctrines of the two religions complement each
other very well. The two religions complement each other is because at "...birth and marriage are Shinto, whereas funerals and communion with the
dead are within the purview of Buddhism." This shows how Buddhism in Japan connects with Shintoism and makes Buddhism in Japan much
different from Buddhism in China. Another example of Shintoism and Buddhism in Japan connect is "... the principal kami of Shinto came to be
regarded as Buddhist deities in different forms, and Shinto shrines were ever amalgamated with Buddhist temples." Next, let's see how Buddhism in
China is different from Buddhism in Japan. First, when Buddhism was introduced to the Chinese people from traders and merchants from India it
caused "... Some early devotees of Buddhism to regarded it as an exotic form of Taoism." In the later years of Buddhism in China a popular version of
Buddhism in China that strayed away from Buddhism that is practiced in India, has the concept of a bodhisattvas, who is a

Jingxiu Nunnery Ancient India

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