The Walking Buddha came to Sukhothai from Sri Lanka. This statue displays Buddha in a distinct thai body style. The body of this statue is characterized as having broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and sensually flowing limbs. This body form symbolizes a welcoming gesture to it's worshipers. The body form also suggests a supernatural being through the illustration of elasticity. The thai artists mastered their abilities to handle bronze and were able to depict Buddha in such a fashion. This piece of art is said to be the only one of its kind.
The Emerald Buddha originated from Northern Thailand. This statue depicts Buddha as he was originally introduced in ancient times. The Emerald Buddha is characterized as sitting in a meditative stance, distinct broad body lines, and lacking sensuality. The Emerald Buddha symbolizes the unity of both royal authority and religion. This statue is made of jade, which is a gem believed to enable the possession of the universal king to bring rain.
Between the two distinctly different statues of Buddha, I believe the Emerald Buddha is more remotely close to that of the western religion of Christianity. The Emerald Buddha exudes power and royalty as we hold our deity Jesus Christ. The Emerald Buddha illustrates control of it's worshipers. This control is defined in the masculine posture of the Emerald Buddha. The broad defining lines of the statue's limbs and chin also shows the rigger it may possess. The beautiful gem from which the statue is made also shows it's significance to it's worshipers. As Dr. Hopkins said, " you can tell what's important to a society by what they invest their money in." With all these factors in play, I believe the argument of control over a society is easier if a figure emphasizes dominance as opposed to a soft sensual figure.
The Walking Buddha and Emerald Buddha are beautiful works of art representing the same religion. Although they both represent the same religion, they differ in the demands of their worshipers.
The Thai Walking Buddha symbolizes more than a welcoming gesture to its worshipers. This masterpiece has a number of distinctive features representing an array of characteristics of Buddhism and the Buddha himself. The flame on top of his head, for instance, represents the Buddha’s radiant spiritual energy. The fact that he is walking signifies grace and beauty. The earlier trends tended to give the Buddha more of a god-like or king aspect, although the Thai chose to depict him in a more human fashion giving him a more earthly presence.
ReplyDeleteThe Emerald Buddha is in the more traditional position of meditation. Since meditation is the way to free oneself from worldly possession, I do not agree with the idea that the Emerald Buddha “exudes power and royalty as we hold our deity Jesus Christ”. I also do not see the reference to Jesus Christ being of royalty, in fact he was poor. The king in possession of the Emerald Buddha would dress the Buddha in lavish robes to suit the seasons, but I did not believe that was the intention when it was created.
Nowhere in the history of the Buddha’s life, before or after his enlightenment, or that of Jesus Christ, did they ever express desire to gain power, dominate, or control. On the contrary, they were all about freeing oneself from that entirely. That is what both Buddha statues represent.
Cynthia–(Ch. 2 Response)Group 1
If you want to break down the statues to every little intricate detail, then please do not forget the fact that the flame on the head of the Walking Buddha also illustrates it significance by appearing taller to it's worshipers. I also defined the grace and beauty with the term of sensuality when I described the statue. The Thai people actually did not portray the Walking Buddha in a more earthly humanly manner. He was described as elastic and elongated as compared to an elephants trunk. What human being has the characteristics of elasticity and elongation of the limbs? And yes the Emerald Buddha is in a meditative stance but if you pay attention to the definition which is exaggerated by the Thai artist then you willsee the masculinity and power the statue exudes. In our western society we do hold our deity Jesus Christ as if he were royalty. Everything which is done in our society is always based on religion and power. If you see a picture of Jesus Christ anywhere you will never find him smiliing. There is always a stern expression upon his face which would show dominance.
ReplyDeleteIf you see no intention on the part of the king dressing the Emerald buddha in lavish robes then we definetly have different interpretations of this art. Why not dress the Emerald Buddha in a regular monks robe if that be the case as done with the Walking Buddha? There is significance with the alternations of the "lavish" robes as you put it.
To put it in lamest terms, everybody and everything in this world is seeking some type of control, power, or dominance. You can see that in everyday life. If you were to go to work, you would want the control of knowing what you are doing, who you are dealing with, and what will possibly happen to you during your time there. It may not be "expressed" but it is there and can be seen if you open your eyes and see it. Please look past what you learned from textbooks about the " Buddhist religion" and acknowledge what the artwork says to you.