(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Some Buddhist icons [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-01-28 Buddhism was founded in northern India about 500 BCE by a teacher and philosopher named Guatama Siddhartha, known as Guatama Buddha. From here the religion diffused into China (100 BCE to 200CE), Korea and Japan (300-500 CE), Southeast Asia (400-600 CE), Tibet (700 CE),and Mongolia (1500 CE). Buddhism is a religion of practice rather than a religion of belief and therefore it is common for Buddhist religious icons to show practices, particularly meditation. Shown above is Buddha sitting cross-legged in meditation. According to the display: “Guatama Buddha was a Hindu prince (c500 BC) who renounced the world to become a wandering ascetic. His search and eventual achievement of enlightenment became the basis of the Buddhist religion.” Shown above is Buddha seated in meditation in a pose known as ‘earth witness.’ According to the display: “The Buddha’s left hand is in his lap, palm up, and his right hand reaches to touch the earth. It represents the moment when his six-year search for a perfect state of understanding and tranquility ended and he asked the earth goddess as his witness.” Shown above is Amida Buddha, who embodies the ideals of wisdom, compassion, and enlightenment. Buddhism reached Japan through Korea in the sixth century CE. Shown above is a Japanese Temple Lantern. For centuries both warriors and wealthy commoners donated lanterns to Buddhist temples. Shown above is the Buddha Amida. Pure Land Buddhism developed in Japan in the twelfth century and is one of the largest schools of Buddhism in Japan today. According to the display: “The statue shows Amida seated on a lotus pedestal in an attitude of meditation known as dhyana mudra with the hands resting in the lap, palms facing upward and the tips of the thumbs touching the index fingers. On the halo behind him are the 25 guardians chosen to protect all true believers.” Shown above is Bodhisattva Weituo, a protector figure in Chinese Buddhism. According to the display: “His role is to preserve Buddhist teachings and protect Buddhist monasteries.” The display also reports: “The tradition of Buddhism in China believes in universal enlightenment. It recognizes many spiritual beings, among them bodhisattvas, or beings that have compassionately chosen to remain on earth, guiding others toward enlightenment.” Shown above is a small Buddha statue. Shown above is a small Buddha statue. Open Thread This is an open thread—all topics are welcome. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/1/28/2142057/-Some-Buddhist-icons Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/