...“Art attracts us only by what it reveals of our most secret self.” ~Jean-Luc Godard What is art? Is art only a work created by an artist or there is more to it? According to me, Art is present everywhere around us. Creation of a place like earth is a biggest creation in itself by God. Art is considered as a diverse range of human activities and products of those activities which involves one’s imagination and creativity. Art is the experience of the mysterious as it delivers a way to experience one’s connection with the universe. An Art piece is a poem without words which is used to express imagination to the viewer. Art is also used as tool to communicate...
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...FOUNDATIONS OF TAOIST PRACTICE by Jampa Mackenzie Stewart When you try to define Taoism, you immediately run into trouble. The great Taoist philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, begins his first chapter with the warning words, The Tao that can be described is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. Thus Westerners are not the only ones who have a hard time defining Taoism; the Chinese have had difficulty time agreeing on just what Taoism is for millenia. Taoism is sometimes defined as a ritualistic religion, as a philosophy, as Chinese folk religion, as alchemy, as a system of magical lore, or as a series of health practices similar to yoga. The adherants of each school often look with disdain on the others as being heterodoxy, heresy, or simply incomplete portions of the great Tao. The Chinese word Tao (pronounced "dow") means "the way, the path." In the common sense it refers to the way of doing anything, or the pathway to some destination. In its higher meaning, Tao refers to the way of the universe, the way things are. As a spiritual system, Tao means the way to achieving a true understanding of the nature of mind and reality, to the way of living in harmony with the changes of Nature. Thus the Tao is the goal, the path and the journey all in one. A Taoist then, is "a follower of the Way," the same title by which the early Buddhists and Christians dubbed themselves. The earliest Taoists appeared at least four thousand years...
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...Mahayana, the Buddhism of the Greater Vehicle, and it brought with it an enormous canon of religious literature, an elaborate body of doctrine, a well-organized priesthood, and a dazzling tradition of religious art and architecture - all of which Shintô lacked in the sixth century. Although its view of the world and mankind differed markedly from that of Shintô, it is important to understand that within the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism both differences from and similarities to the native tradition could be found. On the one hand, for example, Buddhism regarded the world as transient and saw it as a source of suffering for those who remained attached to it, a view that contrasts sharply with Shintô's ready acceptance of the world. On the other hand, however, there was an optimism in Mahayana Buddhism that meshed well with Shintô - an optimism about human nature, for it was committed to the belief that all human beings had the potential to attain the wisdom that brings an end to suffering, and an ultimate optimism about the world itself, since it taught that once human attachments are discarded, the world takes on a new and positive significance. At first the Japanese regarded the Buddha as simply another kami and were drawn to the religion by the beauty of its art and the hope of such concrete benefits as wealth and longevity that, on the popular level, Buddhism did not disdain to promise. By the seventh century, however, some individuals began understanding Buddhism as having...
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...Art in the dark: the ritual context of Buddhist caves in western China Robert Sharf Preamble One can imagine a simpler time, when art was ‘art’ because it engendered an ‘aesthetic experience’, a time when art was understood with reference to beauty, and beauty was something that could not be reduced to utility or function alone. Just as the New Critics approached a work of literature through ‘close reading’, the meaning of a work of art could be deduced, it was presumed, from a close critical analysis of the autonomous object. This approach is not without appeal: in giving prominence to beauty and aesthetic experience, one assumes some degree of congruence between the aesthetic intent of the artist and the affective response of the intended viewer, both of which are vested in the work itself. In other words, situating the import of an aesthetic work within the object itself, rather than, let’s say, in its cultural context, enables one to circumvent the complex issues of production and reception, not to mention the apparent gap that separates the two. The art-historical counterpart of New Criticism, perhaps best exemplified in the formalism of Heinrich Wölfflin, Roger Fry and Clement Greenberg, found itself on the defensive during the last quarter of the twentieth century.1 Following the historicist and postmodernist currents of the day, art historians were increasingly critical of approaches predicated on the presumed autonomy of the object. Moving...
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...of families needing two incomes to survive has led to the depression and lack of guidance that is needed to nurture our children today. This is why Martial Arts instruction in school may increase confidence, self-esteem and decrease bullying in schools. Parents often have the false impression that martial arts will lead to their child learning violence, when in fact, the increase in confidence that martial arts brings is one of its perks. Kids will have the confidence along with the skills to be able to achieve higher levels in any art or physical activity. Kids can apply that same amount of confidence to other aspects of their life. For example, it allows the student to really focus on the issue at hand. Another benefit about martial arts is the confidence for socialization with peers, instructors and adults. Martial arts show the student to treat everyone with respect and to carry themselves with honor. During the course of my research, I found that, it’s rare to find a martial art that even mentions why, where and how violence happens. (Whether it's individual self-defense, a domestic violence situation, or war, a practitioner needs to understand what they're up against to effectively learn to defend against it. Prevention strategies can and should account for most self-defense. They're nonexistent in most martial art training.), (Functional self-defense .org, 2014.) As the saying goes; “There are no bad students only bad teachers.” The Karate Kid (1984). I agree with only...
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...conviction that happiness and good fortune are attainable to all, regardless of age, race or background. They believe that all negative mental states can be overcome through the practice of meditation and by learning how to meditate; humans can develop peaceful and positive states of “virtue” and be able to solve the problems associated with their daily lives. Reincarnation is another belief of Buddhists. They believe that humans are reborn after dying and adhere to the notion that most humans go through many cycles of birth, life, death and rebirth. These cycles will end when the attachment to desire and the self is released. Once this achieved, a state of freedom from suffering is accomplished. This is the state of Nirvana and the desired destination for believers. Zen Buddhism: Both the words “Zen” (Japanese) and Ch’an (Chinese) derive from the Sanskrit word Dhyana, meaning “meditation”. Zen Buddhists focus on attaining enlightenment (bodhi) through meditation as Siddharta Gautama did. It teaches that all human beings have a Buddha- nature or the potential to attain enlightenment, within them, but the Buddha – nature has been clouded by ignorance. To overcome this ignorance, Zen rejects the study of scriptures, religious rights, devotional practices and good works in favor of meditation leading to a sudden breakthrough of insight and awareness of ultimate reality. Training in the Zen path is usually undertaken by a disciple under the guidance of a master. Zen in China: ...
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...4/28/2013 Samurai and the “Oneness” of Kendo The Japanese Samurai warriors came in to power after the Taika reforms of 646 A.D (Szczepanski,2013). The Samurai were created to protect the European lords with their riches. The Samurai were known to practice Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism is the practice of calming the mind and accepting all things good or bad in life by using zen meditation (Bairan, 2006). Zen meditation aided the Samurai to focus completely on the present, eliminate all thoughts of life and death, and to be one with the sword (Kendo). Samurais live very peaceful lives with strict discipline of learning to be one with their sword (Kendo). They practice amongst each other every day to ensure that they are still one with their sword, along with meditating daily to ensure calmness. Samurai warriors are excellent marksman who use the “no mind” theory during battle. The “no mind” theory comes from zen meditation. The warriors meditate on a daily basis to help clear there minds and not focus on anything, but the breath. The breath is the essential part of meditation as when your mind starts to drift and focus on something else, you can calmly bring your mind back to the present and focus on the breath. The Samurai have been very successful in their battles due to not thinking about anything except the task at hand. The ultimate goal of the Samurai is to take the life of the enemy and not think of the consequences as this is the enemy or the Samurai's destiny...
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...Buddhist art is a form of art which is entirely or partially based on Lord Buddha and his teachings. It has a high practice of rich symbolic tradition. As Buddhism spread into different nations, Buddhist symbolism was enriched by the cultures it came in contact with. For example, Tibet has borrowed Buddhist art and culture from India since 7th century. The most popular symbolic art in Tibet is comprised of the Eight Auspicious Symbols and the mudras: the hand gestures used by Buddha. These symbolic arts are not simply for decorative purpose, but contain a depth of meaning within them. Tibet also uses sound for Medicine Buddha practices, and although it may seem to be an ordinary chanting, certain musical sounds are categorized as a sound healing medicine. This research paper will examine the symbolic and healing properties of Tibetan Buddhist art and explain their significance in the 21st century. Buddhism, founded in India 2,500 years ago, still remains the leading religion of the Far East that has advanced into a wide variety of forms. It wasn’t until 7th century that Buddhism arrived in Tibet which was comparatively late date compared with the rest of Asia.The religion, writing system, art and many other aspects of Tibetan high culture were obtained directly from India. During the 7th century, the emperor of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo, was fascinated by what Indian Buddhist culture had to offer, so he sent scholars to India for both religious and non-spiritual studies. He also...
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...Religion has been the backbone of society since the dawn of time. Each region of the world has taken a different approach to religious beliefs and none are stranger then the religions of the Far East. In fact many of the so-called religions of the East are just ideologies created to bring stability to a chaotic and lawless society. In China there is less focus on spiritual beings in comparison to common western religions. Instead the institutions commonly referred to as religions in China, such as Confucianism and Taoism focus on how people act in relationships between one another each other and the forces of nature around them. In contrast the religion of Shinto, the homegrown religion of Japan, has a more western structure, with the Gods and spirits who influence the mortal realm. Shintoism is a religion based on animism and polytheism. Most of their followers are Japanese, they have about 50 million adherents and their legends are collected in the Kojiki. They believe in many “Kami” which is there word for “God” such as Amaterasu the sun goddess and they believe that there are spirits everywhere with a strong belief in ghosts. Shintoist followers have deep respect and admiration for their ancestors and are deeply worshipped and that all human life and nature is sacred. They often refer to this as “Matsuri” and it is one of the four affirmations Shinto follows. The other three include tradition and family, which is the main mechanism for how traditions are preserved and celebrations...
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...Buddhism William Brittelli University of Phoenix Buddhism “Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things, which renew humanity.” Buddhism is considered the fourth largest religion in the world and was founded by Prince Siddhartha during the sixth century BC. Buddhism does not have a central belief of worshiping a universal creator or God; but rather focuses on growth of the individual. Buddhism philosophy teaches individuals to attain personal enlightenment, the persona of non-violence, and the ability to tolerance differences among people. Buddhism is less often referred to as organized religion and more often as a culture or way of life (Boeree, n.d.). “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.” Prince Hiddhartha Gautama or the Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. His name means, “One who has achieved his aim.” When resting under a Bodhi Tree in Gaya, the prince gained his goal of enlightenment and experienced three spiritual breakthroughs; 1. He developed the ability to recall his past lives and life events resulting from death and reincarnation. 2. He learned that deeds, whether good or bad that occurred during past lives, directly relate to subsequent reincarnations. 3. He learned to attain nirvana. The Buddha learned...
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...over. In the final dance, you again went “in the zone” and let the motions happen. With the constant sounds of “sir, tit, pong, tit” various forms of “cha,” you were about to solely focus on Rama and ignore the rest, just as you listen to Eminem before a big race. You must learn to let go of your proclivities sooner so you can enjoy life to the fullest. You must let go predispositions in order to learn from experiences and mistakes. 2. Preparation for stage and social performance through meditation, stretching, and trance in dance. As you wiped the floors daily did you pay attention to the different floor patterns? Next time take a look. Warning, you might get hypnotized by some. Everyday I reflected as I wiped the floor, mainly focusing on the varying grain patterns. It reminded me of snowflakes or fingerprints, no two being the same. I would follow the curves or straight lines in the wood, just using this time for extra meditation. This time got me ready for meditation in the way that I saw myself emptying my brain on to the floor before class and then the wiping was how you...
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...Japanese form of the Sanskrit word dhyana, "meditation," and is a school of Buddhism which has had significant impact in Japan and Europe and America. Founded in China in the 6th century C.E. as the Ch'an school of Mahayana Buddhism, it was exported to Japan in the 12th century C.E. and gradually developed its own unique, indigenous character. The Indian scholar/monk Bodhidharma is traditionally attributed with transferring the tradition from India to China. The essence of Bodhidharma's teachings is that one does not need to study sacred texts, worship deities, or do elaborate religious rituals to achieve enlightenment. Rather, one needs to break through the boundaries of conventional thought using meditation and experience the world as it truly is in the moment. Zen maintains that this was the way the Buddha himself attained enlightenment. Zen teaches that all humans have the capacity to attain enlightenment because we all have an inherent Buddha-nature; indeed, we are all already enlightened beings, but our true potential has been clouded by ignorance. According to some Zen traditions, this ignorance is overcome through a sudden breakthrough — called satori — during meditation in which the true nature of reality, and our experience of it, is revealed. Different Zen sects, of which Rinzai and Soto are the major two, have developed various methods to achieve this enlightenment, including the practice of zazen ("just sitting" meditation). Despite the apparent simplicity of the message...
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...Joseph The Power of Prayer and Meditation Since the beginning of man, there has been prayer and meditation. While that may be common knowledge, most do not know the effects prayer and meditation have on the human mind and body. Many people may regard these practices as useless and archaic, however many also believe they have powerful effects; such as stress relief, and improvement of mental and physical health and even brain growth. Although it may be a controversial subject, there are many studies on the effects of these practices. In the end, the actuality of these affects remains a mystery. Though both claim to produce much of the same effects, prayer and meditation are a little different; Meditation is the art or discipline of slowing one’s thoughts to enter a place of spiritual peace or focus. Prayer is the act of conversing to or with a deity. Despite what you may believe, Prayer is a widely used practice. “One third of Americans use prayer to facilitate physical healing,” (Jeffrey, Kluger, Park, Walsh p.1) States an article on the benefits of prayer on health. Western medicine may attempt to water down the connection between prayer and healing, yet some studies show that there is a connection between meditation, prayer and good emotional and physical health. We often get caught up in our in our fast paced lives with stress not following far behind. There are many avenues to choose when it comes to dealing with stress appropriately; such as exercise...
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...The Origins of Hinduism 1 What features of geography might have contributed to Hindu religious sensibilities? The river Ganges 2 Explain one of the analogies the author uses to understand Hinduism (a great river or a palace added to over centuries). Both convey the idea that nothing is ever lost in Hinduism. The religious life of India is something like the river Ganges. It has flowed along for thousands of years, swirling from its own power but also from the power of new streams that have added to its force. (Molloy 78) But the limitations of Hinduism may also be its strengths. It is like a palace that began as a two-room cottage. Over the centuries, wings have been built on to it, and now it has countless rooms, stairs, corridors, statues, fountains, and gardens. (Molloy 78) 3 What features have enabled Hinduism to develop freely in many directions? Many influences—early indigenous religion and influences from later immigrants—have added to its inherent momentum. It has no one identifiable founder, no strong organizational structure to defend it and spread its influence, nor any creed to define and stabilize its beliefs; and in a way that seems to defy reason, Hinduism unites the worship of many gods with a belief in a single divine reality. (Molloy 78) Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions, 5th Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2010. VitalBook file. The Earliest Stage of Indian Religion ...
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...ARTH304 Art of Japan Final Exam To Mrs. Pia Brancaccio June 13th, 2013 1. Please select two works of Buddhist art from the Early Heian Period and explain: a. The political transition from Nara to Heian period. b. The religious changes we see taking place in Japan during this time. c. The main features of Buddhist art and architecture in the early part of the Heian period. Please include in your discussion an explanation on how these works of art and architecture were used by religious practitioners. Works selected: • Interior of the kondo, Kanshinji, Osaka, fig.151, page125 • Taizokai (Womb World) of Ryokai Mandara, fig.152, page126 The Heian period (794-1185) takes its name from the new capital established in 794 at Heian, or Capital of Peace and Tranquility, a variation on the Tang Chinese capital’s name of Chang’an (Everlasting Peace). The shift in power from the Buddhist community back into the hands of the powerful aristocratic family is fully realized early this period (794-951). Buddhism was allowed only a limited presence within the capital itself, reorients itself into esoteric cults focused on complex philosophies and rituals as well as into more populist “saviour” movement that helped for the first time spread the religion widely amongst the common people.One of the major events of the Early Heian period, the introduction into Japan of Tendai and Shingon Buddhism was precipitated by the loss of direction on the part of the Buddhism community that had led to the...
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