WEB LESSON: Changes in Buddhism

Through this assignment students will:

Learn to recognize Buddhist art

Recognize the spread of Buddhism

Observe change over time

See examples of cultural adaptation and blending

Familiarize themselves with various religion and Buddhism based web sites

Part 1:

This is presented as a series of slides. The text is accompanied by appropriate pictures of Buddha and Buddhist temples and stupas. You will have to find images that reflect the comments indicated below for each "slide".

These can be found at www.google.com.Images.Buddha, stupa. or other web sites,

Introduction

Slide 1:

Buddha picture from India

Text: Religion changes and adapts from place to place and over time. Buddhism begins in India and spreads to Tibet, Nepal, China, Korea, Southeast Asia and Japan. One way to observe these changes is to study the art and architecture associated with Buddhism. (can you find Buddha images from each of these locals?)

Slide 2:

Buddha picture from another country

Text: The Buddha himself was simply a man who achieved enlightenment (a complete understanding of the nature of life) through experience, observation, and meditation. Buddhism's primary focus is therefore on Buddha's teaching, not on the Buddha's person. Buddhist sites are sometimes decorated with representations of the teaching such as a footprint (representing the Buddha's impact) and the wheel (representing the Buddha's teaching described as the "wheel of law").

Slide 3:

Stupa picture from India

Text: The stupa, a hemispheric solid mound of dirt and rubble was probably originally a burial mound. Ancient burial mounds were common in India before the Buddha and can be found all over. These mounds also represented sacred mountains. Gradually the shape and function became part of Buddhist architecture. Its essential elements are a square base, a hemisphere and a pinnacle. At first, the mound turned stupa was associated with Buddha's death but it gradually became the primary religious emblem in Buddhist Asia, symbolizing the cosmic mountain, the naval of the universe, the generative womb, and an ascending pathway leading to Buddhist liberation. By the time Buddhism and the stupa reach China, the stupa is known as a pagoda and the pinnacle has become the prominent part of the structure. The pagoda now becomes a repository of Buddhist relics and scriptures.

Part 2

Imagine yourself and a virtual tour of Asia. Along the way you will observe the art and/or architecture of Buddhism, looking for examples of change and adaptation to the indigenous culture.

1. Choose to observe either the representations of Buddha or the stupas/pagodas of several regions.

2. Note changes from the original in India. How have these changes reflected the culture in which they are found?

3. Prepare a visual presentation to illustrate your findings. Be prepared to present it to the class.

You may use the following web sites or some of your own choosing. Be sure to include a bibliography documenting your sources.

Links:

Buddha and stupa photos: http://www.dzogchen.org/library/photos/gallery.htm

Sacred sites around the world: http://www.sacredsites.com

Buddhist art and trade: http://www.asiasocietymuseum.com/buddhist_trade/index.html

Buddhist art and architecture: http://www.buddhanet.net

Buddhas: http://www.asiaart-gallery.de/

Stupas: http://www.stupa.org.nz/