VPHB67H3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Royal Ontario Museum, Standing Buddha, Budai
Document Summary
Describe and discuss the purpose of the wooden artefacts in the yuan dynasty gallery at the royal ontario. The wooden artefacts are, on the superficial level, sculptures of bodhisattvas made from cheap wood during the. On a deeper, more religious level, the artefacts are a way for believers to worship and pray in hopes for the accumulation of good merit. To enhance the efficacy of the worship and the sacred nature of the sculpture, a slit where people would come and stuff valuable objects inside was made on the back of the artefact. The way in which it was placed in the temple directly in front of its matching painting counterpart, as a 3-dimensional extension reinforced that sacred notion. The pieces, depending on the way it was lit up (originally from underneath), was brought to life exuding a dominating and somewhat daunting presence amongst the worshippers. Discuss in detail the use of death motives in himalayan buddhist art.
