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ART DESIGN
AESTHETICS
 Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha (born as Siddhartha Gautama).

He was born in 563 B.C. in a Sakya His father headed the republican clan of
Kshatriya family in Kapilavastu. Sakyas and mother was a Kosalan
princess.
BUDDHIST RELIGION,

He was married to princess He left his family

Yashodhara and had a son (Mahabhinishkramana) at
named Rahul. the age of 29 in the quest
AND SYMBOLS

to solve the misery in the

world.
PHILOSOPHY

After wandering for several He was given the title of

years, he finally achieved Buddha or Tathagata or
enlightenment (nirvana) at Sakyamuni.
Bodh Gaya under a pipal tree.

He delivered his first sermon He passed away (Mahaparinirvana) at the age of 80 in

(Dhammachakraparivartan) at Sarnath In Banaras. 483 B.C. in Kusinagar.
 SYMBOLS OF 5 GREAT
EVENTS OF BUDDHA'S LIFE

BUDDHIST COUNCILS LITERARY TEXTS- TRIPITAKAS

(THE THREE BASKETS)

Vinaya Pitaka and Sutta Pitaka

1. Rajgriha Ajatshatru Mahakasyapa were recited.

It is a collection of sermons of the It contains the rules of monastic life for

Buddha monks and nuns
First split in Buddhism with thei
split in Mahasanghikas and It is an extensive body of texts
2. Vaishali Kalasoka Sabakam Sthaviravadinis over rules of
constituting the basic doctrinal It is the book of discipline
monastic discipline.
section of the Buddhist canon.

Pataliputra Ashoka Moggaliputta Tissa Abhidhamma Pitaka was

3. codified
It contains 7 works which mainly deal
It contains interpretations and with the philosophy and doctrine of
Division between Hinayana analyses of Buddhist concept. Buddhism.
4. Kashmir Kanishka Vasumitra and Mahayana sects.
DOCTRINES OF BUDDHISM

Buddha also laid down a code of

conduct for his followers:

Do not covet the property of others.

Do not commit violence.
Do not use intoxicants.
Right observation
Sorrow: The world is full of sorrow. Do not speak a lie.
Do not indulge in corrupt practices.
Right determination
Cause of Sorrow: The cause of sorrows
is desire.
Right speech Rather than believing in God, Buddhism
Prevention of Sorrow: Man can get rid of focuses on moral progress independent
Right action
sorrow by triumphing over the of God.
desires.
Right livelihood
The Path of Prevention of Sorrow: Man can
Buddhism accepts the theory of
Right exercise avoid sorrow by following the Ashtang Marg transmigration, but not exactly the
or the eightfold path. theory of transmigration of 'soul'.

Right memory

Right meditation
 IMPORTANT SECTS

Hinayana is the orthodox, conservative Mahayana is the liberal school of

school of Buddhism emphasizing on strict Buddhism which interprets Buddha's
personal discipline teachings logically.
It is known as the 'lesser vehicle' as lesser It is known as the 'greater vehicle' as it
amount of people can reach promises spiritual liberation to a large
enlightenment through it. number of people.
It does not believe in idol worship. This sect believes in Idol Worship.
It was patronized by Asoka. It focuses more on spiritual breakthroughs and
It was patronized by Kanishka
Hinayana scholars used Pali as a lesser on scriptures.
Mahayana scholars used Sanskrit as a
medium of propagation It is mostly famous in Japan
medium of propagation.

Theravada developed primarily in It mainly emphasizes on Tantras.

Sri Lanka around 3rd Century BC.
MUDRAS

This gesture is also called "fearless mudra"

Generally, this position is shown with the palms(s)
facing outward and the fingers extended upwards

Also called "discussion" mudra.

In this gesture the tips of thumb and index finger
touched forming a circle. All the other
fingers are extended upwards.

This gesture is also called "calling the

earth to witness" mudra.

The right arm hangs down over the right knee. The hand with the palm turned inward and all the
fingers extended downward with the finger touching the lotus throne. The left hand lies on the
lap with palm upward. This gesture symbolizes Shakyamuni's victory over Mara.
It is also called Samadhi or Yoga Mudra.
Both hands are placed on the lap, right hand on left with
fingers fully stretched and the palms facing upwards.

In this gesture both hands are held

against the chest, the left facing
inward, covering the right
facing outward. The index finger and
the thumb of each hand making a
circle.

The right hand makes a fist, thumb enclosed,

index finger extended upward, palm out;
the left hand forms a fist, palm inward and
encloses the extended index finger.
Contribution of Buddhism to Indian Culture

The concept of ahimsa was its chief contribution. Later, it became one of the cherished values of our nation.
Its contribution to the art and architecture of India was notable. The stupas at Sanchi, Bharhut and Gaya are wonderful pieces of architecture.
It promoted education through residential universities like those at Taxila, Nalanda and Vikramasila.
The language of Pali and other local languages developed through the teachings of Buddhism.
It had also promoted the spread of Indian culture to other parts of Asia.

Buddhism as a Way of Soft Diplomacy

Buddhism in India as a Soft Power is different from the conventional sense of the term. India talks about shared cultural development instead of export of culture.
The values of peace, accommodation, inclusiveness, and compassion that are part of our societies can be attributed to the influence of the teachings of Lord
Buddha and Buddhism.
The ideals of Buddhism continue to intersect with the political and economic contexts of many Asian nations with 22% of the world’s population.
Buddhism can act as an intensifying factor for Asian emotional bonding and connectivity as it is embedded into their “nationalistic” thinking and actions.
Buddhism is not restricted to Asia and has been able to generate a spiritual awakening elsewhere in the world and influenced a stream of philosophical traditions
world over.
India has in its favour at the moment abundance of resources by way of pilgrimage sites, the presence of the Dalai Lama, and international goodwill, as well as the
right intentions.

Way Forward

Effective revitalisation of the Nalanda University project and encouragement of Buddhist studies in well-established universities will bring International
community at a common platform.
The promotion of Buddhist tourism reminiscent of the ‘Incredible India’ campaign is required to popularise India’s association with the faith internationally.
The government faces the crucial challenge of effective execution. Buddhist diplomacy would go a long way in countering the rise of China, strengthening its
relations with Asian countries, and helping it further down the path of its regional and global power ambitions.
UNESCO’s heritage sites related to Buddhism:

Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, MP
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Ajanta Caves Aurangabad, Maharashtra

SYMBOLISM
The Buddhist style treasure vase is modeled after traditional Indian clay water pots. The vase is mostly used as
a symbol of certain wealth deities, but also represents the endless quality of the Buddha's teachings. In the
typical Tibetan representation, the vase is highly ornate with a gold color and lotus petal designs along various
points. It is also usually studded with a number of precious gems and a sacred silk scarf around its' neck.

The victory banner originated as a military standard in ancient Indian Warfare. The banners would be adorned
differently depending on the deity that it was meant to convey and lead. In Buddhism, the banner represents the
triumphs of the Buddha over the four maras, or the hindrances on the path to enlightenment.
Parasol
The parasol has its roots serving as an Indian symbol of royalty and protection. Traditionally, the more parasols an
individual had, the higher they were in the social hierarchy with royalty usually having around thirteen. This tradition was
adapted into Buddhism and and early depictions of the Buddha, where his thirteen parasols represented his sovereignty
as the Buddha.

Buddha Eyes
Also called Wisdom Eyes, this pair of eyes can usually be found depicted on all four sides of the Buddhist shrines
known as Stupas. The symbol denotes the all-seeing and omniscient eyes of Buddha and is representative of the Lord’s
presence all around. The curly line below the eyes in the middle (where the nose is on a face) is the Sanskrit numeral
one that symbolizes the unity of everything and also signifies that the only way to attain enlightenment is through
Buddha’s teachings. The dot between the eyes is indicative of the third eye, which represents spiritual awakening.
(Urna)

The vitarka
(teaching or discussion) mudra is used with Buddhist iconography to symbolize the transmission of the dharma, or the
truth teachings of the Buddha. In this mudra, the thumb and index fingers touch, creating a circle that symbolizes an
uninterrupted flow of wisdom.

Lotus Flower
The lotus flower is a plant prevalent throughout South and Southeast Asia that is known for its ability to grow unstained
in murky waters. This quality of it remaining pure when surrounded by dirt and filth led to it becoming a Buddhist symbol
of purity and renunciation. In addition, the lotus serves as a symbol of birth and represents the divine origin of deities
when seen in artwork. In architecture the shape of the lotus is used to denote the purity of a space and the presence of
the Buddha. It is also a symbol heavily associated with Padmasambhava, a figure that famous for supposedly
introducing Buddhism into Tibet.
THE MEANING OF THE DHARMA WHEEL

The Dharmachakra comes from the Dharma, which is the path to attaining enlightenment and reaching Nirvana (the highest state of being a
person can achieve). It also means the Wheel of Law.

There are multiple ways of interpreting the Dharma Wheel so there are several meanings behind the symbol. There are three different parts
that make up the Dharma Wheel: the spokes, the hub, and the rim. The rim of the Dharma Wheel further signifies the ability to hold all of the
teachings together by meditating and concentrating. The circular shape of the wheel symbolizes the perfection of Buddha's teachings. The
hub in the center of the Dharma Wheel represents moral discipline. The three swirling shapes on the hub, often depicted in blue, yellow and
red, symbolize Dharma, Buddha, and Sangha respectively. They are also known as the Three Treasures or Jewels.

A Dharma Wheel with four spokes symbolizes the Four Noble Truths.
When the wheel has eight spokes, it represents the Eightfold Path and Buddhism.
Ten spokes on a Dharma Wheel signifies the ten directions and
twelve spokes symbolize the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.
If a Dharma Wheel has twenty-four spokes, it is known as the Ashoka Chakra and symbolizes the twenty-four ideal qualities of a follower of
Buddhism. The Ashoka Chakra also represents the reversal of the Twelve Links and becoming free from Samsara - the continuous cycle of
reincarnation.
A Dharma Wheel with thirty-one spokes represents the thirty-one realms of existence found in Buddhist cosmology.
In its entirety, the Dharma Wheel symbolizes Buddha's teachings. When one practices Dharma, one is practicing the teachings of Buddha
and protecting oneself from suffering and eliminating ignorance, thereby improving one's quality of life. These teachings were described as a
wheel because they move and travel throughout the land and then people can practice control over their minds. Altogether, the three
aspects of the Dharma Wheel symbolize concentration, ethics, and wisdom - which are all essential in the teachings of Buddha.
THE HISTORY OF THE DHARMA WHEEL
One of the oldest depictions of the Dharma Wheel as a symbol was found on pillars that were built by the Emperor Ashoka between 304 and 232 BC. He ruled over India
and followed the teachings of Buddhism. Many of the pillars he built are still standing today and depict various edicts that encouraged his people to practice Buddhism,
while never forcing it upon them. Ashoka Chakras, Dharma Wheels with twenty-four spokes, can be found on these pillars.

However, the Dharma Wheel was appearing in Indian artworks before Ashoka the Great's reign. These Dharma Wheels also had twenty-four
spokes and usually appeared sitting on top of four lions who were sitting back to back as they each faced one of the four cardinal points. In 1947,
the Ashoka Chakra became a part of the Indian flag. Nowadays, the Dharma Wheel is depicted in the art within the various Buddhist cultures. It can
be seen in images of Buddha as it appears on his hands and feet - representing one of the Marks of a Great Man.

THE DHARMA WHEEL IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

HINDUISM
The Dharmachakra meaning in Hinduism refers more to the Dharma Wheel as the Wheel of Law. It is a symbol of order and religious routine that
devout Hindu followers must practice. In Sanskrit, the word Dharma comes from the word dhr, which means 'to hold and maintain' and 'what is
established or firm' Therefore it means 'law'.
The Dharma Wheel is commonly found in depictions of Vishnu, the god of preservation. Vishnu is one of the Hindu Triumvirate and is the god
responsible for protecting humans as well as restoring and maintaining order in the world. He is often depicted carrying a wheel or discus, which is
regarded as a very powerful weapon that can conquer passions and desires.

TIBET
In Tibet, the Dharma Wheel is a very prominent symbol as it is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. It is typically seen between two deer, which
symbolizes Buddha's first teachings in a deer park. When Buddha gave this first sermon, the deer in the park gathered around and listened. When
deer are depicted alongside a Dharma Wheel, it serves as a reminder that Buddha valued all beings and all life, not just humans. In these
depictions, the Dharma Wheel has to be twice the height of the deer as they sit peacefully next to it with their legs folded under them and their
heads lifted up to look at the wheel. Some Tibetan deities are portrayed using the wheel as a weapon in order to overcome evil and ignorance. It is
believed that these depictions were influenced by Hindu depictions of Lord Vishnu who also carries the wheel as a weapon.

BUDDHIST SYMBOLISM
The Dharma Wheel is a sacred and ancient Buddhist symbol and represents the Buddhist faith universally. After attaining enlightenment,
Buddha gave his first teachings and gave a sermon on the first Wheel of Dharma. He gave this sermon in a deer park, Sarnath, in Uttar
Pradesh, India. Buddha spoke about the Sutra of the Four Noble Truths, the Perfection of the Wisdom Sutras and the Sutra Discriminating
the Intention. These three teachings are known as the Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma.
IDEATION AND NOTES
DOT PAINTING- MORTAR AND PESTLE
Acrylic paints were used and precision
clay tools were used for making the
dots. Lotus is a symbol of self
actualisation, enlightenment or nirvana in
Buddhism. The circles around them are
simple mandalas to emphasise the
importance of concentration

Base coat
 template cutting
TERRACOTTA CLAY
JUG was baked and coated with fevicol
 The treasure vase in Buddhism, derived from typical ancient clay pots
represents the infinite quality of Buddha's teachings. The same applies
to us, knowledge only multiplies from sharing, it is the only thing that can
never be lost or diminished by giving away. Here is a jug like structure
(since a vase would have required a potter's wheel which I don't know
how to operate) made by hand rolling terracotta clay. After drying and
baking it was coated with a layer of fevicol before painting.

On the vase, you have a parasol. The high dome of the parasol
represents 'wisdom' and its hanging various designed silk batches
represent 'compassion'. And ultimately the white parasol presented or
itself symbolized Buddha himself essentially represents the ability to
protect all sentient beings from ignorance, delusion and fears.
'NOOR'- DHARMA WHEEL INSPIRED LAMP
The typical wheel form has been reduced to
just 3/4ths. Half the wheel is composed of
the copper tube that was left over from a
recent AC installation in my home, one
quarter is composed of the bulb that hangs
from one open end. The only things I
purchased for this entire project were the
bulb and the holder. Using the Gestalt
property of Closure and Continuity, our
minds will automatically fill in the missing
part of the wheel. The half cut adds a
stylistic element and gives the lamp a more
contemporary look. this wheel has 13
spokes. 8 signifying the 8-fold path towards
enlightenment, 4 signifying the noble truths,
and the last one is my personal addition. It
stands for a liberal approach towards the
religion and the freedom to follow whatever
we resonate with and is practical for our life
style. One reason I have always been
attracted towards the Buddhist philosophy
is because it doesn't have a strict set of
rules, atleast not Mahayana. It is more
about the journey towards becoming your
best self and giving back to the world. The
pace, path, mistakes, all belong to us. The
religion is more advisory in nature than
controlling.
VITARKA INCENSE HOLDER WITH
URNA DETAILING
The third eye or the urna which is placed right in between
and slighty above buddha's two eyes. It's the divine eye that
can be activated and accessed with extreme concentration
and an evolved state of mind. In many eastern cultures, we
get the eye as an amulet to wear for good luck and to
prevent "evil sight".
FINAL PRODUCT
ENSEMBLE
This combination of products can be used to decorate a living space
or a temple area. Together, they produce a calming effect, the
circular details evoke concentration and the aroma of the incense
soothes the nerves. The light provides visual stimulation and if
you're using warm toned bulb, then it will naturally provide warm
and comfortable feels