Ancient Buddhism

¶ … religion Ancient Buddhism and how its philosophical position impacted the aesthetic values of the period. The writer explores the faith to understand what the aesthetic values were at that time and then relates them to that period in society and how they correlate.

Ancient Buddhism and its Color, Lifestyle and General Philosophical Impact on the Aesthetic Values of the Period

Religious philosophies and ideas have impacted mankind for as long as society has existed. Whether it was the ruler of a faith telling followers how to conduct their daily lives, or the general overall beliefs of a faith that set the boundaries for those that followed it, the basic religious tenets of any given period or area of the world have been driving forces in the way the people of that time presented themselves and their lives.

One of the most deeply rooted religious faiths in Eastern cultures is that if Ancient Buddhism. It has had and still has a significant impact on the aesthetic values of the period from which it was founded. The Buddhist faith delved deep into the psyche and soul of those who followed its traditions and rituals. Whether it was about color, humor, feelings or beliefs, the ancient Buddhist followers turned to Buddha as the guide for all things.

What it means

For one to be able to apply the faith to the aesthetic values of the time, and determine what if any impact there was on society, one should have a basic grasp of the faith and its beliefs.

The faith is said to have started in India when a Prince named Siddhartha Gautama (ca. 563-483 B.C.) made the decision to abandon the life of richness and luxury that he had been raised in and instead search out the meaning of life (Buddhism in India, ancient Buddhism in India, India and Buddhism (http://www.indianchild.com/buddhism_in_india.htm).After a short attempt at fasting, from which he determined lack of nutrition weakened his mind so that he could no longer determine the meaning of life, he is said to have located a tree, placed himself under it and resolved not to move until he discovered the meaning of existence.

His efforts brought forth the four basic tenets, called Noble Truths, that became the foundation for Ancient Buddhism. They include the idea that:

all of life is suffering;

the cause of suffering is desire;

the end of desire leads to the end of suffering;

the means to end desire is a path of discipline and meditation (Buddhism in India, ancient Buddhism in India, India and Buddhism (http://www.indianchild.com/buddhism_in_india.htm)."

Once he came to these truths he believed it was his mission to travel the world and spread the word of the truth about life and existence.

His travels never took him beyond Northeast India but in his life he converted a large number of disciples to carry on the faith and discussion of the Four Noble Truths once he was dead. He died at the age of 80 but not before setting up an entire monastic order to carry on the cause.

His death was where the beginning of the aesthetic values to the period of time began. One of the earliest evidences of such contributions to the values of the period can be seen in the ancient stone structures that are meant to represent him throughout the world.

Since the 1840s, archaeology has revealed the huge impact of Buddhist art, iconography, and architecture in India (Buddhism in India, ancient Buddhism in India,

India and Buddhism (http://www.indianchild.com/buddhism_in_india.htm)."

One Man's Tale

As the faith began to spread worldwide other nations started to adopt its beliefs and ideas. In China during the time of Ancient Buddhism there was the story of a monk who was 26-years-old and was known as the most educated scholar in all the land. He is said to have started a journey for India in the quest to learn all that he could about the faith so that he could share it with his followers (Ultimate Journey: Retracing the Path of an Ancient Buddhist Monk Who Crossed Asia in Search of Enlightenment. Christian Century, May 23, 2001 Leo D. Lefebure (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_17_118/ai_75496693).

His concerns were that the translations of the texts from Buddhism were not being accurately translated in China.

The journey was filled with obstacles. Deserts and mountains divided China from the Buddhist heartlands. Moreover, since the Chinese emperor had strictly forbidden travel to the West, the young monk had to hide his identity until he reached the regions beyond the emperor's grasp (Ultimate Journey: Retracing the Path of an Ancient Buddhist Monk Who Crossed Asia in Search of Enlightenment. Christian Century, May 23, 2001 Leo D. Lefebure (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_17_118/ai_75496693)."

All told he spent more than 17 years on the journey for Ancient Buddhist truths and when he returned he spent time translating for the Chinese to better understand their religion's teachings.

The faith continued to flourish and in doing so many aesthetic values of the period became obviously influenced by its teachings.

One of the most important influences the faith has on the aesthetic values of the period are in the use and beliefs of the meaning of color (Color Symbolism Buddhist Art (http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/colors.html).

In the study of Buddhist values one will find that there are five basic colors of foundational importance to the faith and to the aesthetic values of the period.

They are: Black, White, Yellow, Red and Green.

Each of the colors in this Buddhist palate has a different meaning for life and the meaning of life.

Black is believed to be a symbol of killing and anger. This has carried into many other cultures and faiths over the years and today the color black commonly carries a meaning of death and doom (Color Symbolism Buddhist Art (http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/colors.html).

Years ago when the Mafia was in its height it was rumored if one received the gift of a black rose in the mail or in person it signaled the receiver's impending death.

The color of White in the Buddhist ancient faith has to do with rest and thinking. It is interesting to note that this still carries true across geographic and societal boundaries. Marketing companies have capitalized on this belief through the use of marketing products such as "White Linen" as being restful and peaceful as well.

The Buddhist faith believes that the color Yellow has to do with restfulness and nourishment.

Red is for the purpose of summoning and Green has always been the ancient Buddhist color to mean exorcism.

To further explore the impact on aesthetic values of the period that Ancient Buddhism shared one can look at what the faith believes each color can do for a follower if the follower meditates on the color.

It is believed that white will assist in changing ignorance into wisdom. Yellow is supposed to be the color that can transform pride into sameness and the wisdom of that sameness.

Anger can be turned into wisdom simply by concentrating on the color Blue according to the faith and Red allows attachment to be translated to discernment (Color Symbolism Buddhist Art (http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/colors.html).

Green is believed to be able to turn jealousy into the wisdom of accomplishment.

For each color the act of mediation about that color and the surrounding oneself with that color can bring on the character element listed. "

Hence it is true that ancient Buddhism thought placed much emphasis on the spiritual significance of colors, which naturally influenced the development and practice of Buddhist aesthetics (Color Symbolism Buddhist Art (http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/colors.html)."

To further the importance and impact that the five colors have on various periods including the ancient period of mankind one only need study the art that was popular at that time.

It is important to the context of aesthetic value that the colors be as rich and bold as possible.

Below is an example of how the Ancient Buddhist beliefs impacted the aesthetic value of the time through the use of color in art to surround followers with the reminder of them. http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/colors.html www.exoticindia.com/product/TH73/"

It is interesting to examine the Buddhist faith when it comes to things such as laughter. The Buddhist that modern culture views has a wide grin and often appears to be laughing but in true history, during the ancient period Buddhists were cautioned not to laugh out loud as it was considered rude and disrespectful (Real Buddhas Don't Laugh:Attitudes towards Humour and Laughter inAncient India and ChinaMICHEL CLASQUINUniversity of South Africa (http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:0ZC9clSD9mMJ:www.thezensite.com/).