Buddhism and the Images of the Buddha - Essay Example

The images of the Buddha were designed not only to show how Buddha looked physically but also to conduct their teachings to the people. As time elapsed, across many regions of the town or kingdom, the form of the image of the Buddha has transformed a lot. This has made the visibility of the Buddha quite different and difficult. As a result, the characteristics have since changed most so with respect to cultural values, partisanship, and the influences of the neighboring countries (Sullivan 72).

There is a list of doctrines and practices that Buddhists are expected to live by. What are the four noble truths; that the existence of suffering, suffering has a cause like craving and attachment, suffering would ultimately end and there is a path to cease suffering, the five Skandhas and the eight-fold path. Every Buddhist is expected to understand the teachings of the doctrines and practice them. Historically, the Buddhist's teachings were to enable them to understand the world in a different way which does not mean that the doctrines are not be understood on blind faith (Sullivan 118).  Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen master, says, "Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth."  The doctrines and their practice will affect the Buddha by advocating for the truth throughout the world as it gives the Buddhists myriad teachings, which guide them spiritually. Daily meditations for example, when practiced with sincerity, impacts life and outlook.

The attributes are various texts that are recognized by different sects within the Buddhists. Some of the last cannon attributes contain largely the eight-fold path, which starts from the right view of things, right intention, right speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. The beliefs can be categorized largely into three, which are wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline therefore the eight attributes above fall under the three main subjects accordingly. The formulation of Buddha for the national identity reveals itself though due to the series of changes in the forms of Buddha, it may be hard to see a national image. From the beginning, the Buddhists would be identified by the meditation and observance of the moral precepts as a foundation of their practice. As a nationality, they observed and could be identified by the five basic moral precepts; which were largely undertaken by monastic older and the laity. They were to refrain from taking out someone’s life, stealing, and acting in the weirdest manner. As a nation and members of Monastic, they were advised not to eat at an inappropriate time, they were not to view secular entertainment and still they had to stay away from using garlands, perfumes, and other bodily ointments. These practices and doctrines strengthened the form of the Buddha and made them one nation. This has though changed, as society tends to adopt a lot of liberty (Sullivan 278).

            The images of the Buddha for example in most cases will mean the awakened one and this is not represented in one image.  The images seen in the west for example represent a fat and happy Buddha. This symbolizes Buddha’s latest life, as he was happy and traveling throughout northern India and instructing disciples to act in the same manner and spread the same gospel across the divide. In southeast India, Buddha’s image is seen as skinny, and hence Buddha is seen as skinny and emaciated, this represents the suffering that Buddha had to undergo. In symbols in China and Japan, the image or form of Buddha has the upper body robe as the consideration here is that Buddha, as a social monk is not advised to walk with the upper body exposed (Sullivan 173-78).

Buddhism and Buddha is a wide concept, which does not require assumptions about the Buddhist himself and his religion. The assumptions concerning self, reality, and existence must be placed aside for the sake of unification and being open to a new understanding (Sullivan 228).