Buddhism Images of the Buddha

Buddhism

Images of the Buddha appear remarkably similar across cultures. In spite of the variations in rendition of form, an icon on the Buddha is usually identifiable and easy to. distinguish from images of deities or boddhisattvas. For example, many artisans have represented Buddha with extended earlobes, a third eye, or in a series of characteristic meditation postures and specific hand mudras. The lotus-coil headdress is also a universal part of Buddhist imagery and especially common in Mahayana art. Reclining Buddhas also make their way into the art of most cultures touched by Buddhism.

In spite of their similarities, though, renditions of the Buddha do differ according to their culture of origin. Some Buddha images are quintessentially Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Indian. Japanese Buddhas share much in common with their Indian and Chinese counterparts but some Nyorai are uniquely Japanese. Wood is a far more common sculpture medium in Japanese Buddhist art than in the Buddhist art of other countries. Paintings reveal some of the most notably Japanese expressions of Buddhism. Iconography of Japanese Buddhas differs depending on whether the image reflects Pure Land or Mahayana traditions.

One of the most famous Japanese Buddha statues is the huge Kamakura bronze from the 13th century. The blossoming of both Pure Land and Zen during this period meant that images of Buddha proliferated throughout Japan, giving rise to large-scale statues like this one. Size itself is not a Japanese feature, as many Indian and Chinese Buddha statues were also huge. Furthermore, the Kamakura Buddha reveals a synthesis of styles that preceded it.

However, the Kamakura Buddha differs from other seated Buddhas in many respects. A seated image of the Buddha from 4th century China is also sculpted in Bronze. Both Buddhas exhibit a mudra with hands n the lap, thumbs touching as in meditation. The Chinese image depicts the Buddha with a mustache: a rare feature in Buddhist art. Moreover, the earlobes are not distended, and the eyes are slightly open. On top of the Chinese Buddha's head is a formation that, though it appears like a bowl, is really a rendition of the usnisa: the crown chakra. The usnisa all but disappeared in Japanese Buddhas, evident in the relatively flat-topped Kamakura Buddha.

The Kamakura Buddha thus illustrates how Japanese culture simplified the image of Buddha. The Chinese bronze statue, and many other Chinese Buddha images, are comparatively ornate when viewed alongside similar Japanese Buddhas. In the Chinese statue, Buddha sits on a platform flanked by two guardian beasts like lions or dogs. Such imagery is rare in Japanese renditions of Buddha. The Kamakura Buddha sits only on the stone platform built for the statue; there is no bronze carved platform whatsoever. This possibly indicates the Buddha's absolute simplicity and grounding.