Philosophy of Religion Spring 17

Kai-Shanet Blackwood Professor Trusso Rubin Museum Paper Due: April 19, 2017 Rubin Museum and Buddhism The Rubin Museum, situated in Chelsea Manhattan, houses many ancient and historical artifacts of Buddhism and Hinduism from India. This museum is organized elegantly with each floor displaying different sculptures, relics, and painting of Buddhism and Hinduism. The museum stimulates a great learning experience and connects anyone who visits to the rest of the world and other cultures in India and Tibet. Buddhism teaches that the world is impermanent and full of suffering, hence we should be compassionate to all other beings as we all come from a dependent origin. In my studies of Buddhism thus far, the museum has adequately but subtly depicted essential philosophical doctrines through the artwork in each exhibition. The piece that grabbed my attention the most was a painting of a Buddhist, Phagmo Drupa, with some of his past lives depicted in little rectangles around him....

   Tsangpa Karpo     Buddhism - The Religion of Finding Ones True Self Since the ancient world religion had always impacted and played a very important role in many civilizations. In the region of India the religions of Buddhism and Hinduism provided a cultural system of worship for individuals that helped set forth a path that they can take in order to achieve some form of salvation. Looking at the interesting painting of Tsangpa Karpo we can see the representation of The Four Noble truth in Buddhism. When looking at the two major religions of India it can be notice that they are both very parallel to each other. The Four Noble Truth in Buddhism is similar to Atman In Hinduism because they both speak about understanding the nature of desire. Although in Hinduism Atman is known as the understanding of one's true self that help end the cycle of reincarnation, while in Buddhism the Four Noble Truth is  the key for one to become an enlightened bei...

Ayoka ChristopherSkinner HUP105.1275 Prof. Trusso 04.19.2017 1. TITLE/ARTIST: STORIES OF PREVIOUS LIVES OF THE BUDDHA DATE/ORIGIN: TIBET CA. 18TH CENTURY RELATED DOCTRINE: NIRVANA- When Buddha achieved enlightenment and attained Nirvana, he saw all his previous lives. It was a revelation that he did in fact fulfilled his desire of finding the truth. In this piece, we see him in the center, in a meditative pose, surrounded by all his previous lives. It is a representation of a supreme state in which he is free from suffering, desire and the effects of karma.  Nirvana: Enlightenment through Artistry The concept of portraying historical and philosophical religious doctrines through art may be eccentric to some, however, it can be a unique approach to convey historical facts by using intricately beautiful art pieces. As you enter the Rubin Museum of Art, there is a hushed reverence as you explore each floor. Each piece tells a story about each aspect of ...

Rosa Rosendo HUP 105 Professor Trusso April 19, 2017 Rubin Museum Project Magzor Gyalmo, Queen Who Repels Armies The first thing that attracted me to this artwork, was the location and placement of where it was. On the third floor towards the back, there’s a section that’s lowered, the walls are some sort of blue velvet and more art is displayed against a blue background side by side. Naturally curious by all things hidden, the location added a sense of excitement and mystery. Compared to the other pieces, what really grabbed my attention was the title of the artwork, Queen Who Repels Armies, after reading that title I didn’t think another piece would rightfully grab my attention as this one already had. Besides the title, what kept my attention on this specific work of art was how much was happening within frame. There was so much detail and expression, that it made it hard to look away from the painting. The title of the painting is Magzor Gyalmo: The Queen Wh...

Ali Alghazali Prof. Trusso Philosophy of Religion 04/19/2017 Rubin Museum The painting below is called Buddha Shakyamuni and was made in Tibet during the 16 th century. Buddha Shakyamuni was a born prince who became aware of the different kind of human suffering at a very young age. Shakyamuni renounced his position/ place as the prince and started on a journey to understand how he could rid the world of human suffering. Over the years, Buddha forced his body to harsh disciplinary methods of reaching enlightenment. But that didn’t go well for him. So, he ended up sitting beneath the pipal tree and started to meditate. This was how Buddha ended up becoming the “Awakened One” (SGI, 2010). The doctrine for this painting is Buddha which is the enlightened being. The painting above is made of pigments on cloth and is 46 3/4 x 36 ¾ in. The portrait is called Buddha Shakyamuni and it was made in Tibet during the 16 th century. The plain depiction of Siddhartha Gau...

Cordre’ E. Peterson, Sr. Philosophy of Religion Prof. Trusso April 17, 2017 Ganesha In my research of Buddhist artwork, what attracted me the most was Ganesha. In Buddhism he is portrayed as the god Vinayaka. He is known as the god of new beginnings and represents everything that is good. What catches my eye is the fact that Ganesha is depicted surrounded by a flaming mandorla, standing on the backs of two rats, with gifts or offerings in all four hands. A lotus symbolizing enlightenment, a hatchet symbolizing both past good and bad deeds that get cut when enlightenment is present, a laddus which is round sweet meats symbolizing the rewards of life and the fourth hand used to bless the people. The mice are a symbolization of desire; It is to be tamed and should not control the life of the individual. More important, he is considered the most powerful god and the only Hindu god, assimilated into Buddhism deemed a bodhisattva (which means Buddha-to-be). Ganesha’s appearance ma...