Buddha

Buddha

by Michael Jordan (Author)

Synopsis

A glorious celebration of Buddha in art, Buddha brings together centuries of beautiful sculpture and painting from the East. Richly gilded and jewelled bronzes, elaborate and colourful paintings, intricately embroidered silk hangings, and statuesque rock carvings display the ingenuity of the artists of the past. Expert contributors have selected the most significant works from the key regions: the Indian subcontinent, China, Tibet, Japan, and Indonesia. Buddhism was founded in India circa 525 BC; many works pre-date Christian art and show the sophistication of these early cultures. Succinct essays explain the background to each region and feature spreads provide additional information on topics such as the cave complexes of China, where more than a thousand rock carvings pay homage to Buddha. Today, Buddhism has many followers around the world, including many artists and celebrities. The philosophy and the art of Buddhism has had a huge influence on the West, from the beat generation through the hippie movement to contemporary new age adherents. Whether your primary interest is in the art alone or the Buddhist religion, Buddha reveals a rich vein of creativity to inspire and contemplate.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Publisher: Carlton Books Ltd
Published: 01 Oct 2003

ISBN 10: 1842229443
ISBN 13: 9781842229446

Media Reviews
The seated image of the Buddha is as familiar as that of Christ on the cross. But there are numerous subtle differences of posture and of hand position which denote various aspects of Buddhist teaching and belief. The 5th century BC teacher has been portrayed in different ways by the religion's different schools, reflecting the different nationalities and cultures in which Buddhism took root - from the more austere 'southern' school, favoured in Burma and Thailand, to the highly decorative, 'northern' Buddhism seen in Tibet. This title provides an overview of this wide variety and will appeal both to those interested in Asian arts and those interested in the teaching of one of the world's fastest-growing religions.
Author Bio
Michael Jordan has written several books on religion and spirituality, including Eastern Wisdom (Carlton, 2000).