Buddist Temples

Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of Buddhism and is the figure represented by the Buddha statue. He was an Indian prince who lived from 563 to 483 B.C. Buddhism is a religious philosophy that, unlike many other traditional religions does not believe in a personal God that punishes our wrong-doings and rewards our good deeds individually.

It was originally begun as an atheistic philosophy. It is based on the Noble Eightfold path and the Four Truths. The Buddha statue represents the "Enlightened One."

The Four Noble Truths are:

that suffering is part of life, craving is what causes suffering, the suffering stops when the craving stops, and that the only way to conquer the cravings and suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path Is:
Right views, right aspiration, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right contemplation. As the Enlightened One the Buddha statue represents other values as well. The individual is not recognized in Buddhism.

All that happens to individuals is based on an impersonal moral "karma." Once an individual follows all of the steps on the Noble Eightfold path they reach an enlightened pure non-existent state called "nirvana."

The First Statue
It is believed that the first Buddha statue was not created until four or five hundred years after the death of Buddha out of respect. Therefore, the statues are not an exact replication of the person and there is no "right way" to represent him.

The artist had artistic freedom of expression in that area. But, there are certain characteristics and symbolic elements that you will find at least one of in every Buddha statue.

The Noble Eightfold Path Is:
    o If the hands are resting in the lap this represents meditation.
    o The hands crossing over the chest are a symbol of Dharma-or a state of "being."
    o In the earliest Buddha statue, the figure has both hands raised with the ring finger on the left hand touching the thumb and the index finger on the right hand is touching the thumb to make a circle with the three other fingers held aright. It is not certain what this symbolizes.

Buddhism Exists In Three Forms Today

The first is Mahayana, which reveres Buddha as a God like figure and still uses the Buddha statue to represent him. It is called "the Greater Vehicle" and is the most practiced form of Buddhism in the world today.

The second is practiced by just over a third of the Buddhists in the world and is called Theravada, or the "Doctrine of the Elders." It is atheistic in nature and philosophy but still reveres the Buddha statue.

Vajrayana is the least common type of Buddhism and uses the occult and shamanism. It is practiced by just 6 percent of the Buddhists.

Many people looking on the Buddha statue find it a source of happiness and serenity. It is a symbol of the end of suffering and true peace. The Buddhist philosophy that we must strive for perfection and control over our personal cravings to work for the good of all is not a bad philosophy.

If society as a whole would adopt at least some of these concepts there would be much more peace and tolerance in the world-we could begin to come to a state of nirvana.

A Symbol of a Religious Founder

The Buddha Statue is a symbol of Buddhism's ancient founder, Siddhartha Gautama, a prince from northern India. He lived from about 563 to 483 BC. Buddhism originated as a form of atheism. They abandoned the idea of a personal God (Ishvara) who controlled the eternal fate of souls.

Gautama denied the ancient theistic beliefs, because he found it challenging to bring together the idea of suffering and evil with the existence of a righteous God.

A Symbol of the Enlightened One

The Buddha Statue signifies the "Enlightened One," the basic idol of Buddhism. Buddhism conveys the philosophy of self-perfection - its essentials are contained in the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

Buddhism adheres to various "scriptures." Buddhists hold the Pali Canon to be the oldest and most authoritative "scripture."

The Four Noble Truths affirm that (i) life is full of suffering (dukkha); (ii) suffering is caused by craving (samudaya); (iii) suffering will cease only when craving ceases (nirodha); and (iv) this can be achieved by following the Noble Eightfold Path.

Generally, the Path consists of right views, right aspiration, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right contemplation.

Other Buddhist philosophies include the belief that nothing in life is permanent (anicca), that individual selves do not truly exist (anatta), that all is determined by an impersonal law of moral causation (karma), that reincarnation is an endless cycle of continuous suffering, and that the goal of life is to break out of this cycle by finally extinguishing the flame of life and entering a permanent state of pure nonexistence (nirvana).

A Symbol of a Belief System

  • The Buddha Statue represents a belief system that has evolved into three main philosophies: Mahayana (the "Greater Vehicle") represents approximately 56% of the total Buddist population and is prominent in China, Japan and Korea. Over the years, Mahayana has opened itself to many different Asian beliefs and now treats Buddha as a god.

  • Theravada (the "Doctrine of the Elders") represents approximately 38% of the total Buddist population. Theravada is the closest to the original atheistic philosophy, and is principally followed in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia (Kampuchea), Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Myanmar (Burma).

  • Vajrayana (also known as Lamaism or Tantrism) represents the remaining 6% of Buddists and is primarily found in Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia. Vajrayana has added disturbing portions of shamanism and the occult.

Currently, there are approximately 613 million Buddists worldwide, with approximately 1.5 million living in the United States. Buddhism has been growing in the U.S. due to surges in Asian immigration, endorsement by celebrities in music and movies, and its close ties to the New Age Movement.

A Symbol Hungry for Hope

The Buddha Statue represents a philisophical belief system that's deeply concerned with overcoming suffering. The hope of nirvana is really a hope in finally ending the cycle of suffering in this world. The law of karma can be very rigid and impersonal.

Under the Buddhist system of moral cause and effect there is no mercy and no forgiveness. Escape is only possible through a continuous cycle of good deeds and striving for "unattainable" self-perfection.

The Buddist Temple

The main characteristics of a Buddha temple are its unique shapes. The most well known shapes are the pagoda style in China and Japan. Another is the Stupa, a stone structure built on top of presumed relics of Buddha.

Copies of Buddha's teachings are also buried beneath some temples. If the temple isn't designed in the shape of a pagoda, there will be a replica of one inside or in the courtyard. Historical temples are very ornate inside with gold and jade, while today's temples are more modern.

The temples of Buddha are designed to symbolize the five elements: Fire, Air, Earth, (square base of temple), Water and Wisdom (pinnacle on top of temple).

Inside, the temple may have a worship hall, meditation hall, and gold warrior-type figures, which are said to be guardians of heaven. A statue of Buddha will be the main subject of interest.

Psychedelic lighting highlights the characteristics of the Buddha figure usually sitting in a lotus position. Some Buddha statues were carved from solid pieces of white or emerald jade. The colors of green, orange, and yellow elaborately adorn the roof and walls inside.

Prayers for deceased members will be made over a memorial bed. Figures of demons and monkey guardian statues protect the temple from evil spirits. Lotus flowers symbolize the Lotus Sutra mantra of Buddhism and candles will be lit throughout. A bubbling water column adds the element to the quiet atmosphere.

Monks pray, meditate, and chant or read from the 110-book Pali Tripitaka, which defines the Buddhist philosophy. Although the temple may have a monastery attached, the monks are not housed there as in other monasteries.

Symbolic art and sculpture will also adorn the walls of the praying areas. Rich paintings depicting the life of Buddha add to the drama and mystique. More different sized statues of Buddha are placed throughout the temple and on the altar.

The Buddha Depicted in Art

Dvaravati refers to a kingdom situated in the Chao Phraya river basin between the 7th and 11th centuries A.D. Presently Dvaravati art, including many Buddha images and sculptures, can be found at National Museum in many provinces of Central Thailand, such as Phra Pathom Chedi National Museum, Nakhon Pathom, U Thong National Museum (Suphan Buri), Prachinburi National Museum.

All the above mentioned National Museums are certainly worth a visit.

The Dvaravati style derived from Indian archetypes such as Amaravati and Gupta styles, and were integrated with local art.

Dvaravati art and images went roughly through three stages : In the initial stage, there was heave Indian influence, later on the art became more independent locally, and still later influence of Khmer art is visible.

So, initially the faces depicted would resemble Indian sculptures. Later on, influenced by local styles, the aureole would appear in a lotus bud shape or orb over the cranial protuberance. Large hair curls are visible, and the eyebrows would resemble a crows wings curve, like a flying bird. Protuding eyes, with flat nose and thick lips are common.

Standing Buddha images performing the Vitarka (Preaching) posture, with robes hanging to mid shin level. In sitting images, a short mantle is placed over the left shoulder.

Khmer influence became visible later on with a more square face and cleft chin.

The Dharmachakra wheel is very typical of Dvaravati art. The wheel was likely positioned on large pillars at places of worship. The Dharmachakra wheel symbolizes the Buddha's turning of the Wheel of Truth or Law.

Often the Dharmachakra has eight spokes, symbolizing the eight-fold Noble Path. The Buddha is known as the Wheel-Turner : the One who sets the cycle of teachings in motion and in consequence changes the course of destiny.

It is worth remembering that during the early centuries of Buddhism, no sculptures of the Buddha were made, and the Buddha was represented by various symbols such as the Dharmachakra, the Bodi Tree, the Buddha's footprints etc.

Buddha Images in the Khmer or Lopburi style

Lopburi art goes back to the 11-13th century A.D. Lopburi was a provincial capital during the Khmer empire. At times it experiences periods of independence, but its art form and Buddha images display Khmer influence.

Buddha images often display a cranial protuberance in the form of three tiered lotus petals. A hair band is featured, and the hair of the Buddha can be straight like human hair.

The head is often decorated with a diadem of face frame. Thick lips, a smiling face, prominent earlobes are featured.

A robe is draped diagonally with a straight edged mantle over the left shoulder, extending to the navel. Often the Buddha image is displayed on a lotus petal base.

Seated Naga protected Buddha images in the meditation posture are common. Sometimes the Naga protected Buddha appears with Royal ornaments, and has a more stern facial expression.

Buddha Images in the Chiang Saen style

The Chiang Saen or Lanna style (between 11th and 18th centuries A.D.) was influenced by the styles of the Khmer, Sukhothai, India, Burma and Sri Lanka.

Buddha images typically feature a lotus bud or orb shaped finial and large hair curls. The torso is plump, with a slim waist line. The face is round and smiling, with high curving highbrows, a hooked nose and mostly narrow lips.

In later period, under influence of Sukhothai, the head had finer hair curls, an extended lotus shaped or flame shaped finial, and a thin hair band. As with Sukhothai Buddha images, the face became more oval.

The mantle often extended down to the navel.

Sitting Buddhas mostly display the gesture of Subduing Mara. Standing Buddhas often display the gesture of Dispelling Fear or Instruction.

Buddha Images in the Sukhothai style

The Kingdom of Sukhothai had important contacts with Sri Lanka. Thai monks travelled to Sri Lanka for further religious instruction, and Sri Lankan monks settled in Sukhothai. Sukhothai religious art was thus influenced by Sri Lankan art. The Buddha images of the Sukhothai era gained important disdinguishing characteristics from the images during the Khmer and Mon era.

A flame appeared on top of the head of the Buddha. The head is covered with fine curled hair. The face is oval, with high curving eyebrows, a hooked nose, a downward gaze, and overall displays a gentle smiling expression.

The body of the Buddha images displays broad shoulders and a small waist.

Overall it can be said that the Buddha Images do not appear human, but display idealistic or superhuman characteristics.

During the Sukhothai era, the four postures of the Buddha (sitting, standing, walking, reclining) were created.

Buddha images of the Sukhothai era are subdivided in several groups.

The image right below here displays Phra Phuttha Chinnarat image in Phitsanulok. It belongs to the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat group of images. Notice that the face is more rounded with a flame shaped aureole. The fingers on each hand are of equal lenght.

Sitting Buddha images of the Sukhothai period most often display meditation posture, or the gesture of Subduing Mara. Walking Buddhas display the gesture of dispelling fear (Abhaya Mudra), or giving instruction (Vitarka Mudra).

Buddha Images in the U Thong style

U Thong art flourished in Central Thailand between the 12-15th century A.D. in the period when Khmer influence was diminishing or disappearing and before and during the early stages of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. As such U Thong style was influenced by previous and contemporary styles in the region.

Depending on prevailing influences and the time frame, U Thong Buddha images are often subdivided into three groups.

Typical of U Thong Buddha images is a small band between the hairline and the forehead. The head features small curls. The face of the Buddha image is rather square with Mon and Khmer characteristics.

During the early period the ushnisha (prominent bump on the top of Buddha's head) is topped by a lotus bud. In later period (Sukhothai influence), this is replaced by an elongated flame. The face became more oval later on, and the body more elongate under the influence of the Sukhothai style.

The eyes are cast (not inlaid as often the case with images of the Ayutthaya period).

The robe is draped in the open mode with a long flap over the left shoulder (see image below) ending above the navel.

U Thong style Buddha images mostly display the gesture of Subduing Mara in the sitting position, and the gesture of Dispelling Fear (Abhaya Mudra) in the standing position.

Buddha Images in the style of the Ayutthaya period

Buddha images of the Ayutthaya period show more different gestures than the other previoius styles. The images display the influence of Lopburi, U Thong and Sukhothai styles.

Initially the face may be more square, and a band (U Thong influence) may be present between the hairline and the forehead. Later on (Sukhothai influence) the face became more oval, with a Sukhothai type of flame on top of the ushnisha (prominent bump on the top of Buddha's head). Typical of some images are small lines carved above the upper lip and above the eyes.

Later on also, the facial expression became more stern, sometimes without any smile at all. In the later period, it became also common to show the Buddha wearing a lot of ornaments.

One type shows the Buddha with an Emperor's attire (the Thai language term refers to 'big ornamentation') or with a somewhat more modest attire ('small ornamentation') featuring a crown or diadem.

Buddha images of this period display many gestures and postures. Standing images (as featured below) often display the gesture of Dispelling Fear (Abhaya Mudra). Sitting images often display the gesture of Subduing Mara. Some giant Reclining Buddhas were constructed during this period.