In current context, is Buddha a person or a philosophy? This questions hits me hard. Buddha is in vogue. His faces in different moods and statues are sold in millions. He has become a fashion statement to many. His mere statue, placed strategically, depicts as a caste, class leveling symbol. In all forms of depiction, the beautifully carved eyes are kept little ajar. The posture and the eyes illustrate the meditative mood. But, still the question remains, what do they reflect? A philosophy?
Personally, I am a great fan of Buddha statues. I think they bring a lot of serenity in the atmosphere. That meditative composure is contagious. Brings solace and peace in the ambience. But, Buddha was never to one, but to the society. The statues remain the hard earned skill of the craftsman. And, it his magic that we translate into our equanimity. Nevertheless, that portrayal transmits an idea, which is embedded in our subconsciousness, seeded through periodical interaction with one or the other source, verbal or written.
We haven't seen Buddha, hence the variance in the illustrative portrayal. What remains constant is his preaching, his philosophy of life, his approach towards one and all. But, we seem to be more swayed by the iconic art produce than his thoughts and viewpoints.
What bewilders is the varied perception towards the same face by one and another. In elite circles, Buddha is present with different significance, as a symbol of serenity. At some places his statutes are placed strategically to give socio-political message. The latter stands for opposition, no doubt against atrocities, and the former for peace. Both contradict each other. Presence at one place is inward looking, for inner calmness and tranquility and at the other it is for outward equality, a strong message. Both places we find the same Buddha, an inanimate statue bringing different kind of life experience to the claimed possessor, with different connotation.
The philosophy, at both places, to a great extent still remain misunderstood. The philosophy, to my limited understanding, is inward looking for outward behaviour. To learn to behave and serve. To realize and to act. To purify oneself to support selflessly. To many of us, Buddha has become a statue of a person and somewhere the soul and the spirit of his philosophy is lost.
Personally, I am a great fan of Buddha statues. I think they bring a lot of serenity in the atmosphere. That meditative composure is contagious. Brings solace and peace in the ambience. But, Buddha was never to one, but to the society. The statues remain the hard earned skill of the craftsman. And, it his magic that we translate into our equanimity. Nevertheless, that portrayal transmits an idea, which is embedded in our subconsciousness, seeded through periodical interaction with one or the other source, verbal or written.
We haven't seen Buddha, hence the variance in the illustrative portrayal. What remains constant is his preaching, his philosophy of life, his approach towards one and all. But, we seem to be more swayed by the iconic art produce than his thoughts and viewpoints.
What bewilders is the varied perception towards the same face by one and another. In elite circles, Buddha is present with different significance, as a symbol of serenity. At some places his statutes are placed strategically to give socio-political message. The latter stands for opposition, no doubt against atrocities, and the former for peace. Both contradict each other. Presence at one place is inward looking, for inner calmness and tranquility and at the other it is for outward equality, a strong message. Both places we find the same Buddha, an inanimate statue bringing different kind of life experience to the claimed possessor, with different connotation.
The philosophy, at both places, to a great extent still remain misunderstood. The philosophy, to my limited understanding, is inward looking for outward behaviour. To learn to behave and serve. To realize and to act. To purify oneself to support selflessly. To many of us, Buddha has become a statue of a person and somewhere the soul and the spirit of his philosophy is lost.
Good write up...good language...Good expression
ReplyDeleteBuddha's clear portrait came infront of eyes..
ReplyDeleteMeditative article..
Budhha! the enlighted one, enlighted is beautifull, beauty reflects from eyes, eyes is magnatic, magnet attracts, attraction brings craving, craving brings suffering....
ReplyDeleteWell Written Sir, Rightly said somewhere the soul and the spirit in his philosophy is lost. We are becoming more of a materialistic in nature, we identify our happiness with identity, status, position and belongings, however there is other segment of society who strongly believes in his philosophy and way of living, we youngsters just need a bit of exposure with thinkers and doers like you. You are doing a great job by sharing your views on these little but important part of life. Thanks,
ReplyDelete