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Buddhist Art History > Section 1 > Flashcards

Section 1 Flashcards

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0
Q

Arhat

A

Somebody who had attained the goal of religious life. One who understands the meaning of reality - Dukhah.

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1
Q

Apsara

A

Celestial beings who attend deities; often depicted playing instruments or dancing.

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2
Q

Guatama/Shakyamuni

A

Founder of Buddhism; the final incarnate of Buddha that attained enlightenment and nirvana.

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3
Q

Mara

A

Evil demon that tried to thwart Siddhartha from achieving enlightenment.

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4
Q

Circumambulation

A

Meditative practice of circling around a stupa.

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5
Q

Karma

A

Law of nature which dictates that every good or bad action has a consequence that could occur in this life or the next

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6
Q

Mudra

A

Symbolic hand gestures used by Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and practitioners of the faith.

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7
Q

Aryan

A

People from the area of eastern Turkey, southern Russia, and northern Iran who migrated east and who introduced Brahmanism around 1500 BC brought about many concepts that influenced Hinduism like Veda

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8
Q

Ashoka

A

Emperor of India who converted to Buddhism and established it as the state religion

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9
Q

Aureole

A

A circle of light surrounding a person’s head. Represents divinity or holiness

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10
Q

Bodhi

A

The type of tree under which Siddhartha attained enlightenment

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11
Q

Bodhidharma

A

A legendary Indian monk who founded the Chan school of Buddhism

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12
Q

Bodhisattva

A

A person who is able to achieve Nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion to save other beings. Also linked to individual Buddhas; manifestations of the buddha’s nature. Adorned in crowns and jewelry

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13
Q

Brahmanism

A

Religion that developed into Hinduism and was introduced by the aryans

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14
Q

Budai

A

East Asian Chan Buddhist monk believed to be the manifestation of Maitreya

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15
Q

Chaitya

A

Assembly hall used by practitioners for group worship

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16
Q

Chan/Dhyana

A

State of deep meditation. School of Buddhism specializing in meditation

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17
Q

Dharma

A

Virtue, righteousness, and duty; the teaching and religion of Buddha

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18
Q

Dhyani Buddhas

A

Five transcendental Buddhas of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. also known as Jinas. exists in spiritual realms and are often considered aspects of Buddha, his various spiritual qualities, and his teachings

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19
Q

Diamond World

A

The masculine aspect of the Buddhist universe which corresponds to other Buddhist symbols

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20
Q

Eightfold Path

A

The path to Nirvana comprised of Eight in which a follower must become practices. right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration

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21
Q

Four Noble Truths

A

The four central beliefs containing the essence of Buddhist teaching

  1. In all life there is suffering
  2. The cause of suffering is desire or attachment
  3. To end suffering, one must overcome desire and attachment
  4. To overcome suffering, one must follow the eightfold Path
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22
Q

Hinduism

A

Complex religious and social tradition that grew in India over thousands of years. Believed in karma, samsara (rebirth cycle), and moksha (nirvana)

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23
Q

Jainism

A

Indian religion that evolved as a reaction to Hinduism. The goal is to perfect the soul and release it from the rebirth cycle. Practices nonviolence and strict asceticism as a means of perfecting the soul

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24
Jatakas
Episodes from the former lives of Buddha. These morality tales communicate proper behaviors to followers to help them accumulate good karma
25
Koan
Unsolvable conundrum posed to Zen trainees to ponder during meditation. The quality of the response indicates the level of a Trainee's understanding
26
Lama
Religious or spiritual master; leader of a Tibetan Buddhist community
27
Lokapala
Guardians of the world; protecting the four cardinal directions
28
Lotus Sutra
Mahayana text that stresses the idea of one eternal, omniscient Buddha presiding over all things. Claims that all believers can attain Buddhahood
29
Mahayana
"The great vehicle" stresses universal salvation rather than the salvation of the individual. practiced primarily in China, Korea, and Japan
30
Mandala
A sacred space that has been set aside or adorned; a geometric diagram that portrays a perfect world of A diety or group of deities
31
Mandorla
Oval that encloses holy figures
32
Middle Way
Philosophy of moderation preached by Buddha after experiencing two extremes in his own life. The eightfold Path is at the heart of the philosophy
33
Mt. Meru
Sacred mountain at the center of the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cosmos
34
Naga
Snake or serpent. guardians of the clouds
35
Nirvana
Enlightenment, the release from the cycle of rebirth
36
Northern Buddhism
Used to describe the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools of Buddhism, which spread out of India along a northern route
37
Parinirvana
'Final Nirvana' the final enlightenment of the Buddha when he died and gave up his corporeal form
38
Pure Land
Paradise; a perfect realm of a Buddha or bodhisattva
39
Raigo
Amitabah and his attendants approaching to receive and welcome the soul of the deceased to paradise
40
Samsara
The endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth to which souls are chained
41
Songha
Community of Buddhist monks and nuns and by extension lay initiates and practitioners
42
Shakti
Female principle or energy. In Hinduism, the female counterpart or consort of a Buddhist deity
43
Siddhartha Guatama
Indian prince who later attained enlightenment and became the Buddha
44
Stupa
Funerary mound, often the central feature of a Buddhist temple
45
Sutra
A sacred Buddhist text
46
Theravada
One of the few surviving early schools of Hinayana Buddhism. stressed monasticism, the importance of the holy texts, and meditation
47
Torana
Gateway or entrance to a shrine, Temple, or stupa
48
Tushita Heaven
Where future Buddhas dwell, awaiting the right time to appear in the world
49
Urna
Curled tuft of hair or third eye between the eyes of Buddha
50
Vihara
Monastery; Indian Viharas apply to the residence of monks
51
Yab-Yum
Position of sexual union representing the union of compassion and wisdom in deities
52
The Three Garments
Three lengths of fabric 1. Folded, held in place with a Cotton belt 2. Robe draped over shoulders 3. Outer robe with a cape - kesa
53
Theravada
Hinayana - "lesser vehicle" seeks individual liberation and nirvana. Follows the teachings of Shakyamuni
54
Amitabah
Dhyani Buddha who represents infinite life/light. More important in Eastern Asia. The most compassionate of all Buddhas. Uses Raigo
55
Bhaishajyaguru (Yakushi)
The medicine Buddha. Always depicted holding a vial. Resides in the lapus paradise
57
Maitreya
The exception. The only bodhisattva who does not attend any Buddha. Believed to be future Buddha. Depicted with matted hair and a water bottle as well as a stupa atop his head
58
Manjusri
Bodhisattva attendant to Shakyamuni. Depicted with a sword (vajra) and riding a lion
59
Kshitigarbha (Jizo)
Bodhisattva attendant to Amitabah. Depicted holding a crystal ball and a staff with the rings on it. Patron diety to dead children
60
Avalokiteshvara
Attendant bodhisattva to Amitabah. Patron of infinite compassion. Depicted bearing a Lotus with nothing on top. Sometimes depicted with 11 heads and multiple arms. "Watermoon"
61
Lokapalas
Devas, or four heavenly kings. Guard the 4 cardinal points of the universe. Always depicted standing on top of, and squashing demons, with fierce faces and tong dynasty armor.
62
Vaisravena
One of the four heavenly Kings. Carries a three-pronged Lance and stupa
63
Nio
The gate guardian Devas. Always depicted semi nude with exaggerated musculature.
64
Gandharva
Lesser deities; celestial musicians and dancers
65
Tara
'She who helps cross'. Female bodhisattva counterpart of Avalokiteshvara, born of his tears.
66
Vajrabhairava
Wraithful counterpart of Manjusri. Depicted trampling human beings. Has a flaming aura
67
10 kings of hell
10 lords who serve under Kshitigharba. Depicted wearing early Chinese Judicial robes. Yama is the high king
68
Prabhutaratna
Celestial Buddha depicted as two Buddhas side by side. Present when Guatama gave his first sermon
69
Ushinshan
The mound or jewel atop a Buddhist diety's head. Represents enlightenment.
70
Ushinshan
The mound or jewel atop a Buddhist diety's head. Represents enlightenment.
71
Vimalakirti
Lay worshipper who debated the Buddahs. Important in east Asia because he ties into confuscious beliefs
72
Kundika
Water pot or nectar container
73
Choju jinbutsu giga
Frolicking animals and humans hand scrolls
74
Chinso
Portrait of a zen patriarch
75
Hojo
Zen abbot's private residence
76
Shigajiku
Hanging scrolls in a hojo that combine imagery and poetry

Buddhist Art History (2 decks)

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