![]() The curators of the exhibition, among whom co-curator and designer Siebe Tettero, decided to connect the life and the teachings of the Buddha to contemporary art. These works show the wealth and diversity of the many cultures that have ties with Buddhism. Among the loans are important exhibits from private collections as well as the Rijksmuseum. ![]() The exhibition brings together over fifty exceptional antique artworks from the Royal Society of Friends of Asian Art (KVVAK), celebrating its centennial anniversary. In Buddha’s Life, Path to the Present, art and the life of an inspiring person converge at De Nieuwe Kerk.īuddha’s Life, Path to the Present includes more than sixty exceptional works of art: from the ancient to the modern. The 2017-2018 We Have a Dream must-see exhibition included the exemplary lives of Gandhi, King and Mandela celebrated in words and images. Exhibitions on themes such as art, photography, inspiring people and cultures bring inspiration, commemoration and celebration to one of Amsterdam’s most impressive historic monuments.Ī few years ago, De Nieuwe Kerk expanded the scope of its programme to include biographical exhibitions on inspiring historical figures. With over 250,000 visitors per year, De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam is one of the Netherlands’ most popular exhibition venues. Hence, the parasol represents the Buddhist community and liberty, protection, enjoyment, and clarity it provides its members.Nederlands Background story The Life of the Buddha, Path to the Presentĭe Nieuwe Kerk and biographical exhibitions The precious parasol or umbrella teaches us that being part of the Buddhist community or literally being under its umbrella protects people from suffering. It also reminds us to enjoy the wealth coming from faith, moral, and spiritual discipline that comes with Dharma. As a vase, it’s associated with storage and material desires, but in Buddhism, it’s a typical symbol for all the good fortune in health, wealth, and long life a person receives once they reach enlightenment. The treasure vase is a large, round vessel with a short, slim neck, on which is placed a jewel. But generally speaking, the dharma wheel, or dharmachakra, represents Buddha and his teachings that lead to enlightenment or nirvana. Depending on the number of spokes seen on the dharma wheel or dharma chakra, it can signify the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path or even the 12 Causal Links of Dependent Origination. The Dharma Wheel is one of the most significant symbols of Buddhism because it represents several important concepts of the religion. It also represents Buddha’s complete and utter victory over all the destructive forces of nature. The banner of victory, therefore, reminds us that pride in one’s skills and actions will never win. ![]() The victory banner, known as Dhvaja, was first used to represent the victory of Buddha over Mara, the demon that represented the fear of death, pride, passion, and lust. In India, the symbol also represents the rivers Ganges and Yamuna. The two golden fish also represent fertility, abundance, good fortune, creation and freedom. It also teaches that if one practices the teachings of the Buddha, one can live in a state of fearlessness or courage. In a way, the two golden fish signifies good luck. That’s why it also serves to remind Buddhists to rise above all challenges to bloom fully. Despite this, it perseveres and blooms until it reaches the surface to reveal a beautiful flower. Lotus flowers are born from underwater mud. ![]() Let’s take a look at some of the most important and well-known of the Buddhist symbols.įor Buddhists, the precious lotus flower represents the pure potential of the human mind or only purity. The lotus flower is a famous symbol for Buddhists because it prompts reflection on how the lotus grows and its similarities to the path they must take to reach Nirvana. However, not all of these symbols are significant to every sect of Buddhism, with some being specific to certain schools of Buddhism. While Buddhism is known to have many symbols, these did not appear in India until three centuries after the appearance of the Buddha.Īs the philosophy of Buddhism spread across the world, many symbols have been used to depict Buddha and the principles of Buddhism. These include the Ashtamangala, or the eight auspicious symbols, which are the endless knot, lotus flower, dhvaja, dharmachakra, golden fish, parasol, conch shell and treasure vase, as well as several others, such as the bodhi tree and the mandala. Buddhist symbols exist to remind its followers of the path to nirvana and the teachings of the Buddha himself. ![]()
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