Comparing Buddhist And Hindu Architecture

Comparing Buddhist And Hindu Architecture
Lesson 2 Hindu and Buddhist architecture both have an extended history on sensuousness involved in their religious buildings. The Khajuraho's
Vishvanatha (Lord of the World) Temple built in 1002 CE during the Chandella dynasty consist of four towers each of which extend higher than the
other. This temple was dedicated to Shiva (the destroyer god in Hindu), and it was constructed to signify Shiva's mountain home. While he is known
as the god of destruction he is also recognized as the regenerative force of the Hindu religion. The northern Indian style Visvanatha Temple's exterior
walls exhibit the idea of Shiva's regenerative force by depicting humans, gods, and yakshis (a female earth spirt recognized as a symbol of fertility in
Hindu, and
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The Role of Architecture in Art History
Architecture has proven to be an important part of society and culture in both art history, and human history. Art is created to reflect the values of the
society that creates it, and architecture is no different. Each piece of architecture can be identified by certain characteristics that makes it a part of a
specific culture. Both the Great Stupa at Sanchi, located in central India, and the Parthenon, located in Greece, are examples of architecture that share
similar characteristics, however can be specified to their location and time period because of their differences. The Great Stupa at Sanchi and the
Parthenon, although created for different purposes, proved to be important because of its functionality to society. Building upon an existing temple
dedicated to Athena Parthenos, leader Perikles wanted to expand and build upon the temple that was unfinished because of the invasion of the Persians
on Akropolis. In 447 BCE, he assigned architects Kallikrates and Iktinos to the job. In order to execute the job properly, Kallikrates and Iktinos needed
to have extraordinary mathematical and mechanical skills. The Parthenon required a large group of intelligent architects, and sculptors to come
together and construct the temple (Stokstad, Marilyn. "Art of Ancient Greece." Page 131). Pericles wanted to show the wealth and dominance of the
Athenian power. The majority of the funds that went into building the Parthenon cane from the Delian League funds, which was a treaty created

Siddhartha Gautama Research Paper
Living a life of wealth and riches, Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who reigned around 400 BC. Siddhartha became Buddha– the enlightened one–
through comprehending the roots of human suffering while living a disciplined life (BBC.CO.UK). During his reign, he was the leader and founder of
a sect of wanderer ascetics (Sramanas), one of many that existed in India during the time (ANCIENT.EU). After his death, his sect slowly grew into a
religious–like movement, traveling along the Silk Road and by sea, and turned into the core teachings of Buddhism, and was finally established as a
state religion in India by the time of Emperor Ashoka during the third century BCE (ANCIENT.EU).
The statue is of Buddha sitting in the lotus position that is used for meditation and teaching (SITE.GOOGLE.COM). His hands and face are more or
less life size, but his body is smaller (SITES.GOOGLE.COM). He is looking serenely in the distance, with his eyelids lowered
(SITES.GOOGLE.COM). His hair is up in a bun, symbolizing Buddha's wisdom ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Before statues of Buddha were created, symbols such as his footprints or the tree under which he became enlightened were used to symbolize Buddha
(SITES.GOOLE.COM). It is said that it was forbidden to make statues or paintings of Buddha, but there are no facts to back this accusation
(BUDDHANET.NET). The symbolism of footprints is still significant in Indian culture today because it represents a person who is no longer, but has
left their traces on Earth (SITES.GOOLE.COM). Pilgrims would use statues like this one to reflect the Buddha's teachings before visiting his relics
(BBC.CO.UK). Images of Buddha had a great amount of significance. By adoring and admiring the image of Buddha, the practicing Buddhists are also
remembering the historical teacher, the Buddha (BBC.CO.UK). Also, the image of the Buddha reminds you of the potential of awakening that lies
within everyone

Essay On The Great Stupa Of Sanchi
The Great Stupa, Sanchi One of the outstanding monuments in India, the Great Stupa, Sanchi, leaves a lasting impression on its visitors. It is found
that its construction is started back in the 3rd century during Mauryan emperor Ashoka's regime and researchers believe that it is one of the most
ancient stone structures India has in its geographical boundary (Archaeological Survey of India). At the present time, it is in Sanchi town, situated in
one of the India's states, Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district. This Buddhist pilgrimage attraction is not remained only as a tourist spot in India, but it
has world's recognition as well. UNESCO has recognized its legacy and includes it in World heritage site category. In truth, it is one of the marvel
architectures in India, which depicts ancient Buddhist art and architecture, of which construction and amendments spans into several different centuries
(third century BC to the twelfth century AD) (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 1989). The thesis of the paper is... Show more content on
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Many theorists have interpreted several studies on this Stupa for its relation with nature's elements. For example, the Great Stupa of Sanchi has
surrounded by a balustrade reminiscent of Sun's circuit. Further, having 28 posts, harmika balustrade represents the number of nakshatras (Subhash,
2010). Likewise, its orientation is also kept in line with the center of the structure and assigning a vector to determine the exact East–West line on the
date of the Spring equinox. Further, talking about its symbolism, Stupa, it represents freedom from the birth–death cycle, and while its dome represents
world egg and Buddha's life and other Jataka stories epitomize Buddha himself. Similarly, four gateways denote elements of Buddhist philosophy. Its
hill location even represents the spreading of beneficial influence in all

Ritual And Presentation Of Early Buddhist Religious...
In the article "Ritual and Presentation in Early Buddhist Religious Architecture" by Lars Fogelin, the readers are introduced to Buddhism and ritual
which include the stupas. Stupas were build according to Buddha's dying wish, his reason for doing so was "indented for the laity who, with their
poorer grasp of Buddhism principles, required the aid of direct worship to ease them toward the path to enlightenment" (Forgelin, pg. 3). The argument
that Forgelin brings up is that the designers had to accommodate the needs of Buddhist worshipers "while attempting to provide mechanisms to foster
group cohesion"(Forgelin, pg.1), which is shown in the open–air and rock–cut stupas. Forgelin's thesis stated he will address the main topic by first
presenting Buddhist's goal and how to attain this goal referred to as nirvana, then who are the three principal groups who practice their rituals at a
stupid, and how the designers had to incorporate the different styles of practice into the design of the stupas.
In order Buddhist follower to attain their ultimate goal of attaining nirvana, meaning that someone is liberated from the limitations of the everyday
world, he or she has to attain a certain amount of merit, the stupas are created to help "speeding the path to nirvana" (Forgelin, pg. 5) Those who are
successful at attaining nirvana become an arhat, which refers to someone who is "idle" or a "perfect being".
According to the Buddhist there are two paths to becoming an arhat, one is by

Incomparable Stupa Essay
The Incomparable Stupa in India is the biggest and most punctual Stupa in India. It is worked with a structural outline, which speak to the consecrated
entombment site of Buddha. The Incomparable Stupa is both the entombment site and the image speaking to Buddha. As demonstrated by the site
Arthistoryteachingresource.org, The Stupas organization was sketched out not to portray the Buddha but instead to give his closeness with clues and
pictures, for instance, walks, throne, or wheel. Stupa contains geometric designs such as a hemispherical mound called Anda, square railing, circular
terrace, toranas, and triple umbrella forms. Because of Stupas layout, most people find it scared. Other than The Incomparable Stupas, there are
numerous huge sanctuaries in India, which are worked for Hindu adherent. Since India holds the immense history on beginning of Hindu religion, there
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Stupas contain four portals that speak to three dimensional mandalas, which is called as the re–making of the universe. While Kandariya temple
symbolize, "the sexual joining of male and female powers to speak to the parity of restricting component in the universe, or the solidarity of the
universe." (Page 417) According to the book, The Gateway to Arts, "The colossal Stupa is encompassed by four entryway knowns as toronas and each
torona is put at the cardinal focuses demonstrating north, south, east and west, delineating stories of various existence of Buddha" (Page 414) Some
toranas contain exotic figures of tree soul swing from the section. These figures symbolize procreation, abundance, and the source of life. As showed in
the site arthistoryteachingresources.org, Kandariya sanctuary confronts east, towards the course of setting sun. What's more, the uprising mountain
like structure appearances toward the sky point towards paradise, speaking to the home of the divine beings and the site of

The Buddhist Temple That Has Created Disagreement Among...
Borobudur located on the island of Java is a Buddhist temple that has created disagreement among the academic community. There are two schools of
thought in which scholars–such as art historians and archeologist–debate about what the real significance and purpose of Borobudur is about. For
example, a group of scholars argues that Borobudur is stupa. This contrasts the other scholars who contends that Borobudur is a mandala. Although
both groups of scholars adequately analyze Borobudur and provide evidence to support their arguments, the argument that the Buddhist temple is both
a mandala and stupa is rational. In this paper, I will present evidence from both sides of the argument, in which Borobudur has ignited copious amounts
of controversy for in the scholarly communities. However, at the end, I will argue that I disagree with both schools of thought because Borobudur is
actually both a stupa and a mandala.
A stupa is a mound–like circular structure that contains the relics of a Buddha. Buddhist frequently participate in pilgrimages to stupas because of
worship opportunities. Although Buddhist architects built Borobudur in the 9th century, but academics do not know what the original purposes of
what the structure was constructed for. However, though visual and architectural evidence many academics believe that Borobudur is a stupa. While
traditionally, a structure, like a stupa consists of one focalized and central "grand" stupa: Borobudur does not; the temple is composed

The Transition Of Our Society Essay
The smooth transition of our society, from nomadic groups to vilages and states, resulted in the development of religons, as a result of reformed social
and political environments. Where it started of as other wordly beliefs adopted by the small nomadic group and slowly developed into full blown
religions over time.
The earliest evidence of religon found in the world was in the Neolithic Period . The figurines found from that period, along with the religious texts,
reflect a society of religious people.In buddhism religon, there are twenty five buddhas, each of whom is known as Dipankankara, with the last one
known as Guatama . There is also Maitreya who is the buddha for future. In Mahayana Buddhism, there is a Buddha known as Manushi–Buddha who is
referred to as a human buddha and five to six types of Dhyani–Buddha known as mediation buddhas.Islam on the otherhand is a monotheistic religon,
where there is only God. He is referred to as Allah. the founder of islam, Prophet Hazrat Mummad P.B.U.H. who is the last prophet.
Borobudur was constructed in 800 AD , at that time central Java was under the rule of Cailendra dynasty who belonged to Mahayana Buddhism. It is
not only a place to worship the people of Celindra dynasty , it also had a religious purpose to it. It belonged to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism and
encompassed the Ten Buddihisattvas through which a person seeking buddha–hood had to pass through to achieve nirvana. These ten Buddisattvas
were also called Lokottara

Compare And Contrast The Three Chinese Religions
China has many religions. Some, if not all create a much more peaceful idea than our own religions. These three Chinese religions are called
Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Confucianism was the first of these religions, based on the teachings of a philosopher named Confucius. He
lived from 551 to 479 B.C. Confucius made detailed rules on how behavior should be. This behavior system showed mutual respect, generosity, honor.
Strong family bonds, a deep sense of personal duty to society, and worshipping their ancestors. The belief system also supported the idea that superior
rulers, fathers, brothers, and other men were naturally worthy of respect. As it turns out Confucianism was much more about rules for the government
much rather than religion. However, this still brought China together. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The religion offers a more relaxed and natural way of finding happiness compared to Confucianism. This religion dates back to 300 B.C. Certain parts
of this religion are much older. Also largely based on the book of Tao or Tao Te Ching. The book may have been written by a religious visionary called
Cao–Tzu. He believed everything in the universe was made by Tao. To be more specific this would be a silent, pure, and all–powerful force that
existed before Heaven and Earth. Taoists believed the way to gain true peace and happiness was to gain first–hand experience by living in harmony
with nature. Which also included not acting in anger and simplicity, which is important in the Taoist religion. Taoists also believe in a way to become
immortal, which explains their worship of a special group of Gods that were believed to have once lived on

Arch 150 Quiz 2 Essays
UW Department of Architecture Quiz 2 VERSION A + B
Arch 150 Spring 2012
GO TO # 101 ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET
Questions about Image Set 1: Acropolis, Athens 101. The gateway to this site, visible in the foreground at the lower right, is called the: a. Erechtheion
b. Parthenon c. Temple of Hera d. Stoa of Attalus e. Propylaia 102. The main temple shown at the upper right is dedicated to: a. Athena b. Erectheus
c. Portunus d. Aphrodite 103. The primary function of the main temple shown at the upper right is: a. an interior gathering space for worshippers b. a
venue for religious games c. a house for the statue of a god or goddess d. a fortification high on a hill 104. The site shown in plan and reconstruction
is known as the: a. Great ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Creation of the Cloaca Maxima enabled the extended settlement of Rome. true (a) or false (b) T 113. Entasis is one of a number of adjustments made
by Greek architects to overcome distortions of vision. true (a) or false (b) T
Match the term with the single BEST definition: (use each response only once; there are three extra answers) 114. Ionic D a. raised structure used to
carry water 115. agora I b. column using female–form sculpture 116. mandala E c. Roman commercial and governmental building 117. caryatid B d.
column order using capitals with volutes and a continuous frieze 118. forum H e. sacred diagram representing the perfection of the universe 119.
aqueduct A f. column order using simple capitals and a frieze with triglyphs 120. basilica C g. Roman sewer h. main public space in a Roman city i.
central market and assembly place in the Greek city j. tower–like gateway Match the site with the BEST description: (use each response only once;
there are two extra answers): 121. Angkor Wat G a. ancient capital of Han Dynasty 122. Chang'an A b. home of athletic games to celebrate the gods
123. Olympia B c. Greek colonial town with archaic temples 124. Karli F d. mountainous sanctuary that symbolized the battle of human 125. Paestum
C reason and nature e. Greek colonial town planned by Hippodamus f. rock–cut chaitya hall dedicated to Buddha g. Hindu temple built to represent the
mountain home of the gods
This is the end. Make sure your answer sheet is correctly

Snap Shot Research Paper
Snap Shot of Religious Structures Through the Ages In ancient times there was always a main focus or theme to art that was created. Majority of the
time this focus was on religion. Religion has inspired many artists to create great paintings, sculpture, and architecture. In this paper, I will focus
mainly on religious architecture, beginning with Greece, reflecting on Rome, traveling to Tunisia, and ending in India. Though the structures being
covered are different in religion and time period, they all have one thing in common, they are spaces that create a spiritual experience for an individual.
The Parthenon at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, built between 447 BCE and 432 BCE to honor the Greek goddessAthena. The Parthenon located in
the acropolis is located on the top of a big hill. This could be a tactic to protect the structure from invaders, however, this is also symbolic of wanting
to be closer to the gods, in this case closer to Athena. This great architectural piece made of huge slabs of marble creates a sense of grandness only the
gods deserved. The architect included relief sculpture of larger than ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The Great Stupa at Sanchi was constructed around the third to first century BCE. The Great Stupa is a burial mound that is not a tomb but used to
house relics of Buddha. Around the stupa is the fence with toranas that are intended to protect the remains of Buddha form the outside world. These
fences are adorned with relief sculpture that tells of Buddha's past lives. Buddhists will make pilgrimages to this location to further their walk to
enlightenment. A visitor of the Great Stupa would enter through one the toranas, walk up the stairs, and then walk around the structure in a clockwise
direction. This is called circumambulation and is supposed mimic the movement of the earth and the sun to bring the visitor in to harmony with the

Rise Of Buddhism Research Paper
The fifth and fourth centuries B.C. were times of a worldwide intellectual renaissance. It was an age of great thinkers, thinkers like Socrates and Plato,
Confucius and Lao Tzu. In India, it was the age of the Buddha Shakyamuni, or simply the Buddha, after whose death a religion emerged that eventually
spread far beyond the reaches of its homeland. In order to understand Buddhism and its art we must first know who the Buddha was.
Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha, was born as a prince to the royal family of Kapilavastu, whose kingdom was located
in the Himalayan foothills. At the time of his birth, sages predicted that he would become a universal conqueror, a conqueror of either the physical
world or of men 's minds. It was the latter conquest that came to pass. Giving up the pleasures of the palace Siddhartha went on to seek the true
purpose of life, Siddhartha first attempted the path of severe asceticism, only to abandon his efforts after six years, as it was a futile exercise. He then
sat down in yogic meditation beneath a banyan tree until he achieved enlightenment. He was known henceforth as the Buddha, or "Enlightened One."
Upon his death the Buddha requested that he be cremated and a memorial be built at a place where people can gather. These memorials, which are
known as Stupas, are the first example of Buddhist art. At first these stupas were simple structures shaped like rounded mounds meant to represent the
curving form of the universe.

Ise Jingu Of Japan And The Great Stupa
In this essay, I will compare and contrast two sacred spaces; Ise Jingu of Japan and the Great Stupa in India. First I will describe the sacred spaces
and their artistic features, values and importance. Afterwards, will come the analysis comparing the two in architectural design and decisions, rather
than the difference of religious belief or purpose. First, let's talk about Ise Jingu situated in Japan. It is the largest Shinto shrine located in the city of
Ise. Millions of people make their pilgrimage to this shrine for either tourism or religious purposes. It holds a lot of both spiritual and historical value
of Japan. Spiritually as the shrine was made in light of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu Omikami, and the traditional progenitor of the imperial Japanese
family, later another God Toyaku Okami being another sacred being, being worshipped. (Pletcher) The architectural design of the shrine consists of
many rows of buildings but the most distinct are two large huts, being the inner (Naiku) and outer shrine (Geku). (Pletcher) Naiku was first
constructed, which had the Goddess of Amaterasu, later Geku with the intention of worshipping Toyaku Okami, the god of food and benevolence.
(Pletcher) The shrine is surrounded by a thick forest, which the buildings were made from. Using the essence of nature, or "ke", the priests and
priestesses used the surrounding trees as the buildings blocks of the shrine, as the trees had much devotion and spirituality of the Japanese people.

Religion's Reflection in Architecture
How have architectural styles reflected the philosophies, religions, and politics of various cultures throughout history?
I would like to focus my discussion on religion's reflection in architecture and hope it will not be too lengthy.
Religion forms the foundation of cultural identity and has decisively shaped world civilizations based on differing, but not exclusive, views of ultimate
value: mercy and benevolence in Buddhism, morality and ethics in Confucianism, respect in Shintoism, devotion and mystical unity of divine Self in
Hinduism, obedience and perseverance in Judaism, love for the Creator and one's fellowman in Christianity, and submission to the will of Allah inIslam
.
Shrine–like buildings found at Catal Huyuk in ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The product of two streams of development, one in the Mediterranean and the other in south–central Asia, Muslim architecture is fundamentally
centered upon worship. At its heart is the mosque, whose characteristic domes, minarets, and stylized decorative art encouraged contemplation and
prayer.
After the destruction of the Temple and dispersal of Jews from Israel in 70 C.E., Judaism focused on family ritual and synagogues that housed prayer
sanctuaries which faced Jerusalem. By the fifth and sixth centuries, many Arabs respected the non–sexualized symbols of Judaism, its ascetic
monotheism, and the Jewish devotion to family life and education. The Arabs called the Jews "People of the Book," and Jews and Arabs lived side by
side in peace.
Resources:
Boston College
The Art of the Ancient Mediterranean
The World's First City http://www2.bc.edu/~mcdonadh/course/huyuk.html HistoryWorld
History of Buddhist and Hindu Architecture http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab96 Teaching Comparative
Religion through Art and Architecture
Sacred Spaces in Shinto Jinja (Shrine) Shinto

University of California, Berkeley http://ias.berkeley.edu/orias/visuals/japan_visuals/shinto.HTM China.Org.Cn
The Temple Of Heaven http://www.china.org.cn/english/kuaixun/75120.htm Wikipedia
Early Christian Art and Architecture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christian_art Wikipedia
Islamic

Religion Based On The Art, Architecture And Texts
Ancient India, from the earliest civilization to the turn of the common era, is so full of compelling arguments about what can be known about religion
based on the art, architecture and texts we have available. Based on the existing art historical records dating between the 3rd century BCE and the turn
of the common era, it can be known that religion drives people to make and have made, physical objects. If people put money into the creation of an
object, it probably had a vital purpose to the everyday life in a place so saturated with religion. I feel it is safe to say, that a good number of the
physical objects we have from this time period do indeed relate to religious practice in one way or another, in particular to the ritual activity ... Show
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Since the patterns of ritual repetition tend to stand out, even with limited material to pervade, I am choosing to focus on these ritual activities or
repeated actions to aid in my illustrations. We can look at specific examples of ancient objects to tell us what people were probably doing and in
turn see the very evolution of the nature of ritual. Ritual seemed to be a part of every individuals life in the Vedic traditions when people believed
that ritual practices were so important that if they were not performed than the world would end. Because people needed a portable religion, the
objects that were created as part of sacrificial ritual were destroyed in the practice and left where they lay. We see an extreme evolution of the material
world around the turn of the common era in regards to the treatment of religious objects. We really don't see permanence or evidence of organized
religion until the organization of Buddhism. Before it was "Buddhism" it was the equivalent of a single piece of dust, an original pure thought. As
more and more people wanted to buy the mindset the teachings had to offer and the reward of a better rebirth, the organization of people around these
ideas began to solidify what would turn into a mansion from this single piece of dust. It is my observation that, ironically, the further we get to
concrete organized religion the less grounded the actual beliefs, and the more

Art And Religion Research Paper
Religion is a cultural phenomenon of the development of human society to a certain historical stage, belongs to the social ideology. The main feature is
that there is a supernatural power or entity in the real world. Religious can be divided into: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism,
Catholicism, Sikhism, and other religions. A religious belief system and social groups is an important part of social culture and human thought–form.
Religion has a close relationship with the human life in all areas, and art is one important area. The creation of beauty and beauty appreciation of
human activities, indeed are similar to the essence of religion. The reason that art influenced by religion, embodied that religion using art to publicize
and disseminate their own, and provide the content and the theme of religion and development required by art.
The relationship between art and religion has different contents in different periods of history. Art and religious express human spiritual activities in
their own ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The introduction of Buddhism and Buddhism prevailed, greatly promoted China sculpture, architecture, development of the art of painting. And the
world of ancient architectures has a considerable part are temples. Such as the Mahabodhi temple in India, and the Great Goose Pagoda influenced by it
are both multi–story pagoda. The existing two seat of the Tang Dynasty. The earliest ancient Buddhist temple palace existing since the Tang Dynasty,
are named Nanchan temple and Foguang temple. China has a large population, and the development of Buddhism in China to Vietnam, Japan, South
Korea extended form the entire East Asian Buddhist cultural circle. Different countries accept Buddhism in different ways will form a different
understanding. At the same time they combine their own culture while absorb Buddhism. Architecture is the embodiment of religion, in the form of
artistic

Hindhism And Buddhism Similarities
Buddhism and Hinduism are two of the most popular religions throughout Asia. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, meaning the worship of several
deities. It is the worship of four deities: Lakshmi, Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. Originating in India, Hinduism has become widespread across Asia, but
it remains the most common religion among the people of India. Similarly, Buddhism also originated in India. It has become widespread throughout the
Asian continent and currently plays a significant role in the social, cultural, and spiritual life. Buddhism is a non–theistic religion or the belief of not
worshipping a god. Although both are similar, Hinduism and Buddhism also have distinct places of worship, beliefs, and rituals. Buddha temples vary
... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This shrine is used to perform rituals. On the contrary, a Hindu place of worship is dedicated to a deity instead of a representative of the five
elements. The Hindu place of worship is known as a Mandir. The Mandir contains a shrine, a garbhargriha, with a statue of the deity. The
garbhargriha is the central shrine of the temple and it represents the heart of those who worship. This shrine is beneath a towering roof known as a
sikhara which represents the flight of a spirit to heaven. Similar to Buddhism, Hindu worship can also be performed at home with a shrine of their
own. A typical Hindu shrine, similar to a Buddha shrine, contains a statue or a picture of a deity. However, the shrine will also contain items that
represent the five senses and offerings to the deity. Buddhism is a non–theistic religion, meaning those who practice it do not worship a god. Instead,
Buddhists believe in following the advice of the Buddha, born Siddhartha Gautama. The Buddha's teachings are considered the core of Buddhism. One
of the most significant teachings is The Four Noble Truths. The First Noble Truth is the truth of suffering or Dukkha. There are obvious signs of
suffering, but the Buddha believed that suffering has much more depth. Instead, the truth of suffering is when one is not suffering from outside causes,
they are still unsatisfied. "Human beings are subject to desires and cravings, but even when we are

Buddhism In Japan
In Japan, Buddhist temples are places for paying reverence to objects of spiritual worship as well as other religious activities and observances.
Buddhist temple composites originated in India, where the main structures were quarters known as vihara, where monks engaged in religious training.
There were also chaitya halls for worshiping Buddhist images, and rounded stupas said to enshrine bits of bone (sarira, or shari in Japanese) from the
historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhist temples in Japan developed a unique individuality after incorporating influences from China and
Korea. During the Asuka and Nara periods, many temples had a design following the Shitennoji model, centering around a tower–like pagoda. This was
for the worship of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The halls that housed Buddhist images gradually took a central position and pagodas were given the "decorative structures" role, like in the Yakushiji
and Todaiji Temples in Nara. The forms of temple compounds became more diverse with the spread of "esotericBuddhism" (mikkyo) in the Heian
period as well as the spread of the raigo concept. The appearance of Amida Halls with attached gardens in a single compound, inspired by the desire
to produce replicas of Amida's "Western Paradise of the Pure Land", had surfaced. The Phoenix Hall (Hoodo) of the Byodoin south of Kyoto is the
most famous structure of this type. New temple styles were adopted from the Asian continent due to the popularity of Zen in the Muromachi period.
Numerous imposing Zen compounds were also constructed at this time. While large cultural centers like Kyoto have several thousands of temples,
virtually every Japanese municipality has at least one temple. Buddhist objects are stored and displayed at temples. Some temples were formerly
monasteries, and some still function as such. Structures typically found at Japanese temples are:
Main

Caves as Symbol of Chaos Essay
The use of caves in mythology to depict darkness and abandonment has branded it as a symbol of chaos. From this perception other associations are
made which connect the cave to prejudices, malevolent spirits, burial sites, sadness, resurrection and intimacy. It is a world to which only few venture,
and yet its mysticism has attracted the interest of philosophers, religious figures and thinkers throughout history. These myths are exemplified in
Homer's "Odyssey," where the two worlds of mortals and immortals unite in the eternal cave.
To Plato, the cave represents the confusion between reality and falsehood. Individuals chained deep within the recesses of the cave mistake their
shadows for physical existence. These ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It becomes a system both unstable and lawless, and survival as a guest in such a cave is only accomplished through the complete submission to the
sovereign. In Odysseus' encounter with the Cyclops, it is his disregard for Polyphemos' authority that costs him the lives of several companions, and
ultimately a ten year delay on his return home.
The land of the Cyclops epitomizes darkness, chaos, and abandonment; where the only law exists past the entrance of the cave. From the island's shore
a "high wall of...boulders"2 can be seen encircling each cave. Clearly impossible of being accomplished by mortals, massive walls of
similar description found standing after the Persian Wars were also thought by ancient Greeks to be the work of the Cyclops. Unfamiliar to this system
of power, Odysseus disregards these laws and enters the cave without an invitation. For this reason, Polyphemos implicates his own punishment onto the
trespassers, and kills six men. In order to escape the wrath of the Cyclops, Odysseus eventually blinds him, an offense which falls under the jurisdiction
of Poseidon, and for which he ultimately pays throughout his wanderings.
The uncontrollable winds next direct Odysseus through a narrow strait outlined by rocks and cliffs through which he must pass to return home.
On these cliffs which stand opposite each other lurk Scylla and
Charybdis, one side "reach[ing] up

Marwaris Essay
We are Marwaris, a conservative community of businessmen, originally from the Indian desert state of Rajasthan. Historically, we have been migrating
for better prospects since the early sixteenth century. Consequently, we spread extensively over India; later even to Nepal and Bangladesh. A
characteristic that sets us apart from other migrating people is that we integrate with our host ethnic groups; adopt local culture. The Kolkata Marwari
speaks Bengali and enjoys his Mishti Doi, Marwaris in Mumbai, speak Marathi; are inseparable from the local Marathas. Even though we amalgamate
with the local cultures, we maintain our social Marwari identities. Therefore, we celebrate Teej and Gangaur, two festivals that define our Rajasthani
identity.
Marwaris of today, value education and educate their children irrespective of their gender. Also, being progressive we have gone beyond our traditional
stronghold – commerce and finance. Therefore, there are people from our community in the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
(412 words)
PROMPT #2: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or
accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?
In May 2013, I boarded the Malaysian Airlines A380–800 on a seven–hour nonstop flight to Nepal's Kathmandu airport with fifteen schoolfellows and
three teachers. I was eager and apprehensive, for in addition to the fact that travelling to new and distant places excited me that was my first journey
without my parents. After collecting our bags, we reached name of school, our host school, in whose hostel we would stay for the coming two

The History of Mahayana Buddhism Essay
Mahayana Buddhism originated in India and is believed to be associated with some of the oldest known existing branches of Buddhism. The temple our
group visited was devoted to this philosophical way of thinking, and its practices. More than half of all Buddhist practitioners participate in the
Mahayana tradition, making it the largest major tradition of Buddhism existing today (Statistics on Buddhism). In the course of its history, Mahayana
Buddhism spread from India to various other Asian countries such as " China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia" (Mahayana Buddhism). The Eastern
States Buddhist Temple of America, Inc., founded in 1962, is the oldest Chinese (Mahayana) Buddhist temple on the eastern coast of the United States.
It was ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Appropriately, it was named the "Eastern States Buddhist Temple of America, Inc." The choice of 64 Mott Street was dictated not only by the
fact that this is a convenient place for Chinese Buddhists to gather each week, but also because Mrs. Ying saw a particular need in Chinatown.
What she saw was many elderly Chinese men sitting on the sidewalk all day and drinking coffee. These men were laborers from China who
planned to leave their family for perhaps one or two decades, then return to their home and family. What they did not count on was the communist
revolution. That war essentially scattered their family all over China and thus terminated all their communications with their family members.
Now that these men are old and retired, they have neither a Chinese home to return to, nor have they gotten sufficiently Americanized to consider
United States their new home. So they sit all day on the sidewalk and drink coffee and chat and wait. What they needed was a place to gather and
read and chat. So the new home of the Eastern States Buddhist Temple was designed by Mrs. Ying to be both a social club for these men as well
as a temple. These elderly men then came and sat and played chess or read newspaper. Free hot tea was also supplied by the Temple. This 'social club'
became a smashing success from day one. However, we discovered, that they did become sort of 'acclimated'

An Outdated Buddhist
The stupa, an engineering structure ordinarily lodging the cremated remains or belonging of essential righteous figures, is thought to be the auxiliary
image and the most imperative sort of landmark of Buddhism. Most stupas have an extremely unmistakable semi–round shape, regularly encompassed
by a wall. As Buddhism was presented in diverse districts, the fundamental building elements of stupas were changed into an assortment of shapes
mirroring the masterful articulations of those societies.
The Mahaparinirvana Sutra (an antiquated Buddhist content portraying the most recent days of the Buddha) guarantees that after the Buddha passed
away, his devotees partitioned his cremated stays into eight segments. Each of the eight kingdoms in which the Buddha had lived gotten one part of the
relics, and a stupa was raised in every kingdom keeping in mind the end goal to house the remaining parts. Buddhist sources assert that amid the third
century BCE, the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great requested these eight stupas to be opened, further appropriated the relics of the Buddha into
84,000 partitions, and had stupas assembled over every one of them over the extending Buddhist world.
The relics of the Buddha were not just considered a memorial image by the Buddhist group; they were accepted to be the living vicinity of the Buddha,
a vault of his defensive powers and living vitality. Right on time in the Buddhist convention, pastorate and common people alike honed the reverence of
stupas

A Summary Of The Great Departure At Sanchi
As Vidya Dehejia says in the book, "Buddhists in early India used visual storytelling as a way of popularizing their faith." The Great Departure at
Sanchi and Amaravati are the two masterpieces that share the significant scene for all the. Through this paper, the two depictions, at Sanchi and at
Amaravati, are considered to find the similarities they share and distinguish the differences they depict – as iconography, narration and visual elements
that share the story.
The Great Departure at Sanchi can be dated back from 3rd century BC. It may be attributed to being the oldest Buddhist pilgrimage. Sanchi is located
in the north–east, 46 kilometers from Bhopal, in central Madhya Pradesh. At Sanchi, the bas–reliefs on the pillars and ... Show more content on
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This masterpiece demonstrates the maturity of the Sanchi artists.
Considering the iconography, the piece of art is aniconic, as there is no figure of Buddha and his presence is implied through the symbols – through his
footprints, parasol, stupa, and "chakra," "Bodhi" Tree, and "Tri–Ratna" among others. The "Bodhi" tree symbolizes enlightenment as the Buddha
reaches enlightenment sitting and meditating under it. It becomes a tree of worship for the Indians.
The Sanchi monuments were crafted with a broad range of figurative principles employed in the Buddhism representation. The crown at Sanchi's
Northern gate was made of symbols possessed from the doctrines of Buddha. The wheel symbol with a lotus at the center reflected the doctrine, the
trident symbolized master, and the "Srivatsa" referred society. The "Yaksha" was a symbol that means guardian. The other Sanchi's symbols of the
sacred tree spirits praised fertility of the Buddhists.
The most significant aspects of the Great Stupa's Northern gateway connected with ritual context are the "Manushi Buddhas," "Mara" temptation,
"Shaddanta–Jataka," and the "Vessantara Jataka." The bas–relief provides masterly crafted details on the Indian life, as furniture, household, hairstyles,
musical instruments, ornaments, etc. For instance, people on the architrave are all in the same hairstyle, having scarf on their head. There are also

Why Did Buddhism Spread
The ways in which ideas spread are often difficult to identify, whether concepts spread as a result of political, economic, geographic, or cultural
aspects is often unclear. The reason for the spread of Buddhism under Asoka, however, is very apparent. The spread of Dharma, Buddhist practices,
under Asoka abounded almost exclusively from his political actions. During his reign, he enforced Buddhist beliefs as laws by restricting actions that
undermined Dharma, saw to periodical missionaries with the sole intention of spreading Buddhism, and constructed monasteries and stupas using
money from his government.
Although Asoka was accepting of all religions, he spread Dharma by enforcing laws of Buddhist ideology throughout his kingdom. The Edicts... Show
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"His government undertook the financial support of Buddhist monasteries" (Yellow #4 pg. 34). The financial support from the government allowed
for more places of worship to come to fruition, thus furthering the practice of Buddhism. This is significant because Asoka used his governmental
power to create more stupas and monasteries, allowing for the spread and deeper instillation of Dharma practices. Asoka's construction of stupas and
monasteries was considered his largest service to Buddhism (Purple #3) because they allowed for the religion to be worshipped in its intended
manner. Monks were able to group, learn, and teach, which is significant because when the monks were well educated, they themselves would present
an example of how to properly live life as a Buddhist and further attract coverts. "He built thousands of stupas and thousands of monasteries
throughout the land" (Pink #3 pg. 110). This allowed for the spread of Buddhism because it provided an official location for those inclined to convert
to congregate and practice with like–minded people. It additionally introduced Buddhism to areas where it was not already present. The government
provided many new locations for people of the kingdom because it allowed for the expansion of the

Buddhism And Its Of Assam
BUDDHISM AND ITS PREVALANCE IN ASSAM
INTRODUCTION
Buddhism, it is a nontheistic religion which can be found in almost all over the world. It has its origin in ancient India. It is very difficult to cover this
entire large topic. In this assignment I have made effort to bring forth certain basic information on the religion 'Buddhism '. The main agenda of this
assignment is to give certain knowledge about the prevalence of Buddhism and Buddhist culture in Assam from an ancient time and its present state
in Assam. The presence of Buddhism in Assam is not known by most of the people. Not only outsiders but the local people also know only a very
little about it. It is a religion which has prevailed in this region from ancient times and so it should be known by the people.
THE BUDDHA
The word 'Buddha ' is not just a name but a title which means 'enlightened ' or 'awakened '. The historical person who is termed by this title is
Siddhattha Gautama. The Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. In 6th century BC a baby was born into a royal family in northern India who later
became the Buddha. When he as born he was named Siddhattha Gotama. His father was a king who ruled an Indian tribe called the Shakyas. He
grew up in wealth and luxury but eventually found that worldly comforts and security do not guarantee happiness. He was deeply moved by the
suffering he saw all around and resolved to find the key to human happiness. When he was 29 he left his wife and child and set off

The More Conservative Side Of The Two Major Branches Of...
The Ruwanwelisaya Temple in Sri Lanka
Theravada is considered to be the more conservative side of the two major branches of Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism developed from the sect called
Vibhajjavada that was established in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. Sri Lanka is the oldest continually Buddhist country in the world. Theravada is
also the dominantly the main religion in this country, officially introduced in the 2nd century BC by Mahinda the son of the emperor Ashoka. This
religion is also in spread throughout Southeast Asian countries that include: Thailand, Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia, and Laos. During the 1st century
during the reign of Vatta Gamini Buddhist monks assembled in Aloka–Vihara and wrote the Tripitaka (The three baskets of... Show more content on
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This form of Buddhism also focuses on the individual's enlightenment to become an Arhat which means "worthy one". An Arhat is a person who
realized enlightenment to be freed from the cycle of life and death (Buddhism in Sri Lanka). Standing 300 feet tall and 950 feet in circumference
the Ruwanwelisaya is regarded as one of the most important stupas in Sri Lanka, and one of the most sacred places for Buddhists. In 161 BCE the
Ruwanwelisaya was built by king Dutugamunu. Sadly the king did not see the end of the stupas construction. The stupa has a statue of the kind
outside its doors in memory of king Dutugamunu that began its construction. Latter, Buddha's relics where sent to the Ruwanwelisaya that include:
Buddha's alms bowl, right collar bone, hair relic, and tooth that is still used for ceremonial purposes in the stupa. This ceremony is called The
Festival of the Tooth which is only held on a full moon in August. Until the festival the relics are not to be seen, but covered by beautiful gold
shrines with many caskets protecting it. Buddhist monks, and guards keep the relics of Buddha safe from any threat (Buddhism in Sri Lanka) This
tour of the stupa was virtual because it is in Sri Lanka. The Ruwanwelisaya is a circular drum on a square base with a long square succession off of
the top of the dome. This structure is very sacred to Buddhists around the world because it architecturally entails Buddha's teachings. Its dome

Hum 1055: Approach To Studying Religions
Weekly Reflection Unit 2
HUM 1055– Approach to Studying Religions
Professor William Frantz
Capella University
October 23, 2017
Brittany Montes
THE CONCEPT OF SACRED REALITY The concept of sacred reality, "We recognize a notion of sacred reality wherever a group of people
describes a particular phenomenon as a manifestation of the real in terms that indicate something (1) specially distinctive or "set apart" from everything
else in the world, (2) to some extent, beyond the volitional control of human beings, (3) specially prominent with respect to human welfare, and (4)
properly determinative of various aspects of human existence. In what follows, we illustrate each of these characteristics of sacred reality."
(Cunningham,

The Andy Warhol Museum Presents Unique And Intellectually...
Artists name, year of birth, country of birth, and textbook page where the artist is mentioned. – Andy Warhol, born August 6, 1928, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, U.S., and page 508.
2. Complete website where you found information about the artist. –http://www.biography.com/people/andy–warhol–9523875#related–video–gallery
3. What is his/her primary media? –He ventured into a wide variety of art forms, including performance art, filmmaking, video installations and writing,
and controversially blurred the lines between fine art and mainstream aesthetics, (bio.com) and silkscreen images.
4. Include TWO locations where the artist work is currently displayed or was recently displayed. –The Andy Warhol Museum presents unique and
intellectually stimulating exhibitions year–round, and continues to display never–before–seen Warhol artworks from the collection. The artwork within
the Warhol's six floors of gallery space frequently rotate, providing an ever–changing experience for our visitors. ("Exhibitions") find another gallery!
5. Write two paragraphs (a paragraph is 5–7 sentences long) about this artist, his work, his techniques, why he/she interests you. –Andrew Warhola was
born on August 6, 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father was a construction worker, and his mother was an embroider, both were Slovakian
immigrants. His family attended mass regularly, and carried on with their Slovokian culture. When Warhol was 8 he contracted Chorea, which is rare
and sometimes

Evolution And Changes Of Buddhism
Evolution and Changes of Buddhism and the Architecture of Stupas in Burma (Myanmar)
Buddhism, as a religion, started in the fifth century BC at Lumbhini in what is now Nepal. From its main centre of origin, it spread across vast areas
of Asia, radiating outwards in all directions apart from the West, bringing its universal doctrine of salvation and enlightenment for men and all living
creatures, its philosophy and ethics, its learning and art. At the core of the teachings was the concept that life is full of suffering and dissatisfaction
(dukkha) and exists in an unending cycle of birth and death (samsara) because of man's fixation on a self and his delusion about his own individuality.
And in Buddhist view, liberation from samsara and ending the cycle of continuing suffering is possible by following the path and teachings of Buddha.
The development of Buddhism across followed natural geographic divisions. Buddhist doctrine and culture spread mostly by the way of trade–routes.
During its spread, Buddhism adapted and evolved within different cultures and their existing beliefs. It was one of the keys to the success of the
religion. Certain aspects of Buddhism were harmonized with the pre–existing earlier practices, customs, mythologies and tradition. Spirits, deities and
divinities from local mythologies and beliefs continue to coexist and were incorporated into the pantheon of the newly formed religion. For examples,
in China Buddhism absorbed Taoist elements; in Japan, it

Ajanta and Ellora are the pride of Maharashtra
INTRO
Ajanta and Ellora are the pride of Maharashtra. The rock–cut caves of both these sites are world famous and illustrate the degree of skill and artistry
that Indian craftsmen had achieved several hundred years ago. Ajanta dates from 100 B.C. while Ellora is younger by some 600 years. The village of
Ajanta is in the Sahyadri hills, about 99 kms. From Aurangabad; a few miles away in a mammoth horseshoe–formed rock, are 30 caves overlooking a
gorge, `each forming a room in the hill and some with inner rooms. Al these have been carved out of solid rock with little more than a hammer and
chisel and the faith and inspiration of Buddhism. Here, for the Buddhist monks, the artisans excavated Chaityas (chapels) for prayer and Viharas ...
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A first group of caves was created in the 2nd century BC: the chaitya–grihas open into the rock wall by doorways surmounted by a horse–shoe shaped
bay. The ground plan is a basilical one: piers separate the principal nave from the side aisles which join in the apsis to permit the ritual
circumambulation behind the (commemorative monument). This rupestral architecture scrupulously reproduces the forms and elements visible in
wooden constructions.
According to Spink (2006), the first phase was the construction of sanctuaries (known as chaytia–grihas) built during the period 100 BCE to 100 CE,
probably under the patronage of the Satavahana dynasty (230 BCE – c. 220 CE) in the canyons of the Waghora River. The caves 9, 10, 12 and 15A
were constructed during this period.[5] Murals preserved from this time belong to the oldest monuments of painted art in India.
[edit]Second period
A second group of caves was created at a later date, the 5th and 6th centuries AD, during the Gupta and post–Gupta periods. These caves were
excavated during the supremacy of the Vakatakas and Guptas. According to inscriptions, Varahadeva, the minister of the Vakataka king, Harishena (c.
AD 475–500), dedicated Cave 16 to the Buddhist sangha while Cave 17 was the gift of the prince, a feudatory. An inscription records that the Buddha
image in Cave 4 was the

Similarities Between Hinduism And Buddhism
Learning about both Hinduism and Buddhism, particularly about the art and architecture of both cultures made me realize they are not that different
as I thought first. Both cultures are beautiful and rich, and if someone takes a deeper look can see that they are depending on each other. Many
people forget that Buddha was born into a Hindu society, and his views and beliefs which led to a brand new culture are based on Hinduism. Of
course I am not saying the two are the same because that wouldn't make any sense. However, the similarities are visible, just the way differences are
visible too, and these things make both cultures so amazing. First I would like to point out some of the similarities and differences between Hindu and
Buddhist faiths which I think are important to understand their art. Both religions put karma and reincarnation into the center of believes. Both
religions believe in several spiritual practices in attempts to get beyond the thinking mind and into a state of relaxation and awareness. However, they
do not share their gods, in Hinduism they share their religion with many gods and goddesses, and in Buddhism there is no god, Buddha himself was a
leader. Knowing the two cultures basic views and believes it is easier to compare their art and architecture, since mostly they are based on the religions.
The first similarity which I think is very oblivious is the stupa. Stupas are present in both cultures and the base for the temples in Hinduism and
Buddhism

The Buddha Is Staying On Indasala Cave
The Buddha is staying in Indasala Cave. The sutta identifies the exact location of this cave on Mount Vediya, near a village called Ambasanda, east of
Rajagaha, in the country of Magadha. I can do no better than to quote the description on the Buddhanet website:
This remote and beautiful cave is the place where the Buddha delivered one of his most profound discourses, the Sakkapanha Sutta. He also uttered
verses 206, 207 and 208 of the Dhammapada while staying here. Followers of Tibetan Buddhism will be interested to know that Buddhasrijnana, the
famous commentator on the Guhyasamaja Tantra also once lived in this cave. The Indasala Cave is at the base of a sheer cliff halfway up the side of
Giriyek Mountain....
There are two other things of interest in this area. At the end of the mountain you will notice a flight of stairs leading to a cave where an old swami
lives. He doesn 't speak English but he is a mellow old fellow and friendly to visitors. Further up on the very top of the mountain is the Hansa Stupa, the
most complete still existing in India. It is a difficult climb through the thorn bushes but offers a fine view. Hiuen Tsiang visited this stupa and recorded
the interesting story behind its construction.
This sutta is another segue from sutta 18, in which Sakka and ultimately Sanatkumara, in the form of the young boy Pancasikha, presided over a
council of the devas of the realm of the 33 gods. Sakka resolves to visit the Buddha and, discerning his location,

What Are The Similarities Between Buddhist Stupas And...
Buddhist Stupas and Greek Temples
The progression of buildings has progressed momentously over the years. As cultures advanced, their beliefs and ideas strengthened. As a result,
structures were created that still leave many people in amazement today. Buddhist stupas and Greek temples are structures that have this sort of impact.
These two constructions have similar functions yet different appearances.
The Buddhist stupa can be the size of a grand building but also take the form of small reliquaries. They were built like towers and usually shaped like
a hemispherical mound to symbolize sacred mountains. Stupas commemorated sacred sites and often enshrined artifacts like ashes of Buddhist monks
or other holy relics. The average person was not allowed inside a stupa. If someone wanted to worship, he or she would do so outside of the stupa and
would usually perform circumambulation in a clockwise motion. Often, stupas had massive gateways around them with stylized relief sculptures that
are meant to separate the everyday world from the holy world. Deities were ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Temples were based off the post and lintel system. They were made out stone and marble and consisted of tall, defined columns which were lined up
around the entire temple. Temples were originally painted and usually carved with leaves, flowers, scenes of battles, mythological creatures, and
narratives. They served as homes for gods and goddesses who protected and sustained the community. There was typically a statue of a god or
goddess standing or sitting in the center of the temple. Greek designers sought perfection; the temples had to be ideal aesthetically and they had to
appeal to the gods and goddesses. Only priests were usually allowed in the temple to contribute to the upkeep and perform rituals on behalf of the
community. Public participation was limited to taking part in religious festivals and

The Rise And Spread Of Buddhism
The rise and spread of Buddhism brought about many radical changes throughout Asia. This included many new styles and inspirations for Asian art.
The influence of Buddhism affected many art forms, particularly sculptures and architecture. For those who adopted Buddhism, it became a way a
life, it changed the way they wanted to live. This in turn, influenced the artistic aspect of life in Asia. This can be easily shown in several art pieces,
such as the Lion Capital, the Bull Capital, as well as architectural designs in the building of the Great Stupa.
Buddhism is based on teachings by the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. Buddha translates to the "awakened one." Buddhist practices are accepted as a
way of life rather than solely a religion. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
With the help of the Silk Road and the interaction of other cultures, Buddhism was able to spread. "It spread slowly at first, mainly among Chinese
scholars and aristocrats, but by the early fourth century, its rituals, repetitive prayers...had drawn in the common folk as well" ("What Life Was
Like..." 50). This high traffic trade route was "formally established during the Han Dynasty of China, which linked the regions of the ancient world in
commerce... the greatest value of the Silk Road was the exchange of culture. Art, religion, philosophy, technology, language, science, architecture, and
every other element of civilization was exchanged through the Silk Road along with the commercial goods the merchants carried from country to
country" ("Silk Road"). As more people began to accept this way of life, they were moved to celebrate it through art forms, such as sculptures (Nardo
43).
An example of a sculpture impacted by Buddhist influence is the Lion Capital (Figure 1). This sculpture was placed on a column in Sarnath, at the
request of emperor Ashoka, who adopted Buddhism himself. The piece was made of polished chunar sandstone and full of Buddhist symbols. This
large sculpture has four lions facing outward, sitting on top of a ring containing three additional animals, a horse, a bull, and an elephant. A wheel
separates each animal, with four wheels in total. These animals may represent the four directions or lesser deities. The

Verdica Essay
The Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally built with large bricks, but underwent an expansion, which brought it to its current state. It is a hemispherical
mound of rubble and earth covered with sandstones. The Great Stupa stands at about fifty–four feet high and has a diameter of 120 feet. On top of the
stupa is a flat area that holds a chatra, similar to a three–tiered umbrella, surrounded by a harmica, or square railing. One third of the way up the
hemispherical mound there is a terrace enclosed with a fence that was used for rituals. Underneath the upper terrace there is a path on the ground
enclosed by a verdica, or a fence. There are two paths because the upper terrace is used by high priests during rituals, while the lower path is used by
pilgrims. The verdica that surrounds the lower path, determines the path for circumambulation during rituals, and encloses the stupa. It is built in stone
but uses construction methods of wooden fences. The verdica uses this wooden method by having vertical octagonal posts and round rails connecting
the posts. The verdica was left plain without any carvings. Within the verdica there are four toranas that correspond to the cardinal directions. The
toranas are entrance gates into the circulation path from outside of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
His followers placed the ashes in ten different places associated with Buddha's life. One use of the Great Stupa is to mark the area in which the ashes
were placed. The followers of Buddha covered his ashes with the original smaller mound of earth and rubble. To make the structure and their religion
more permanent the shrine was built to be what it currently is today. Along with this use, the Great Stupa was also used for worship. The upper terrace
and lower pilgrim path was used during rituals to walk around and chant verses from scripture. Sanchi as a whole was used for monks and their patrons
to have contact and communication with

The Two Pieces Of Paintings
The two pieces of artworks from the list of sacred places I chose to compare were the Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq and the Great Stupa in India. The first
piece of Artwork was originally located in the city of Ur, it is called the Ziggurat of Ur. The Ziggurat of Ur was built by the Sumerians. The
Sumerians were the first group of people in Mesopotamia, known as the cradle of civilization. They invented the first form of writing known as
cuneiform, along with the wheel. Sumerians worshipped many Gods and Goddesses in temples or located in ziggurats (Gateways to Art, 2012,
p.371). Ziggurats are known as Mesopotamian temples or pyramids that grew in size toward the bottom, constructed from mud and bricks. The
Ziggurats were man made mountains which housed Gods and Goddesses. The Ziggurats of Ur happen to resemble the Egyptian pyramids however
they weren't produced to specifically to bury the decease. The authors of Gateways to Art summarizes: "The architectural design of the Ziggurats of
Ur is mudbrick structures made up of three stepped levels, accessed by stairways or ramps...the lowest level is about 50ft. high and about 210 by 150
ft. in area, with others decreasing in size as they get closer to the heavens...while the topmost platform is more than 100 ft. high (Dewitte, Larmann,
Shields, 2012, p.565). The priest is the only person that has access to the top floor of the Ziggurat of Ur, the priest evidently is not only the
commissioner of the city but he's also the one who

The Religious Symbolism and Architecture of Angkor Wat and...
Introduction
Built by the Khmers between 802 and 1220 AD, the ancient temples of Angkor Wat exist as the remaining relics of a historically and religiously rich
city. While many other historical and religious structures in Cambodia have disappeared due in part from being constructed out of vulnerable materials
like wood, Angkor Wat still remains as a symbol of the divinity of its former kings, as well as for the palace itself. Likewise, Indonesia's Borodubur
temples exist as the single remaining structures of the city. The temples ofAngkor Wat and Borodubur hold several similarities within architecture and
symbolism, both being heavily based on religious belief. However, different features within both structures, architecturally and ... Show more content on
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Decorative elements through out the towers and galleries present their own characteristics and fulfill specific needs within the temple. The towers are
formed into the shape of the ever–popular lotus buds, and the galleries are used to expand the many passageways of the temple. Also, the axial galleries
within the temple are used to connect several enclosures. Characteristic decorative components of Angkor Wat include narrative and historical
bas–reliefs, pediments, and devatas. The bas–reliefs located in the gallery of Angkor Wat holds a special signification for Angkor Wat. The gallery
displays heaven and the underworld in which garudas and lions are holding the celestial palaces. These gerudas indicate that the palaces were floating
in heaven, comparing Angkor Wat to the palaces of the Gods. This display furthers the idea that Angkor Wat acts as a liason between the world of
Heaven and Earth. Because the palace physically remains on earth but spiritually resides within heaven, the palace acts as communal place for believers
to gather.
The bas–reliefs and pictures did not only serve to decorate the palaces, or depict stories of the past. They hold the important task of transforming the
palace into a "celestial dwelling" or heavenly place. Further evidence to support this notion is

Buddhist and Hindu Temples Essay
Hindu and Buddhist cultures are both rich in religion and expressing their faith through art. The Buddhist culture was formed by Buddha who went
out to discover the causes of pain and suffering. Once Buddha realized what the cause was, he provided a set of four guiding principles know as the
"Four Noble Truths" that are exercised in Buddhism (Kleiner, p. 13). The Four Noble truths are "Life is suffering, the cause of suffering is desire, one
can overcome and extinguish desire, the way to conquer desire and end suffering is to follow Buddha's Eightfold Path..." (p. 13). These truths are
expressed in the following of Buddhism and commonly carried out through art. Buddhism is practiced throughout Southeast Asia and southern India
where ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The stone fence surrounds the whole stopa to restrict the outside world from the sacred burial mound. The dome shape of the stopa represents the
mountain of the world. The toranas are large stone pillars that are placed in the cardinal points of the stone fence, north, east, south, and west. Directly
on top of the stupa sits the harmika. This harmika is a rectangle shape stone fence that represents an area of the gods. In the center of this harmika
extends the yasti, a pole like structure protruding towards the universe representing the axis of the universe. There are three chatras that are pierced
through the yasti. The chatras are stone discs that represent the union of the earth and the "heavenly paradise" (Kleiner, p. 15). The stupas are walked
around in a clockwise manner by Buddhists because that is the same movement of the earth around the sun. This is known as circumambulation. The
theory of circumambulation is that it "brings the devotee into harmony with the cosmos" (p. 15). This is the standard blueprint to which all stupas are
constructed, thus allowing the Buddhists to circumambulate the structure. The Great Stupa of Sanchi is located in Sanchi, which lies in central India.
The Great Stupa follows the same basic structure blueprinted for all stupas. What makes this one so unique is that it stands fifty feet high and has two
different levels that are designed to be circumambulated. There are four gates that the Buddhists enter

Comparing Buddhist And Hindu Architecture

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