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Hi everyone, starting today this will be my platform of blogging for Asian Humanities 320.

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The Two Great Traditions of Buddhism

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One Pillar Pagoda  Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Hanoi, Vietnam The history of Buddhism is divided into two traditions Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada Buddhism focuses on Buddha's Eightfold paths and Five Dedications to enlightenment, while Mahayana uses newer teaching rather than solely on the original teaching. Theravada or Hinayana, can be interpreted as the "stricter" teaching to enlightenment. The word "Theravada" literally means "teaching (doctrine) of the elders" which emphasizes the depth of the strict pathways to enlightenment if someone was to follow this path (Bresnan 221). While Mahayana is a Sanskirt word that literally means "Great Vehicle" which can be interpreted as not certain people can follow this path but a broader group(Bresnan 232). Theravada Meditation Artistic expression has been an influence on the rise of Mahayana and Theravada. A great flowering of Buddhist art was accompanied by the rise of Mahayana. I...
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Crocker Art Museum Adventures

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After visiting the Crocker Museum Asian exhibit, I decided to do my research on the "Standing Dog" pottery. The reason why I chose this artwork was mainly because of the design. The design was unique for its time in China and it was created in the Han dynasty from 206BCE-220CE. It stood out from the rest of the art that I notice because I was more interested in the pottery than the sculptures.  Standing Dog Picture taken at Crocker Museum by Henry Tran The research I performed on this artwork is that t he "ancient Chinese honored dogs, throughout Chinese history, China had appreciated dogs for their loyalty and trust.  Dogs have served China as hunters, palace guards, and gifts to emperors. During the early dynasties, dogs were interred with their deceased masters and mistresses as it was believed they would serve as guides into the afterlife." The ancient pottery dog is a burial votive figure in which it represents Chinese appreciation. Henry and The S...
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Zen Buddhism in Japan

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Buddhism has spread dramatically among Asian countries and reshaped the views of many people. But "China's most important contribution to nascent Japanese civilization was Buddhism"(Bresnan 425). In early Japanese feudal society, the land was organized by clans and it took time for the region to unite after long conquest. Zen  Buddhism  began in China and spread to Korea and Japan and became a popular religion in the West. Zen Figure Painting in Medieval Japan When Zen became established in Japan, the Chinese monastic system was adopted and was gradually modified to blend in with the Japanese way of life. Zen monastery has been where the community resides and practices Zen way of life."Zen monastery is a community of monks living and working together under the guidance of a Roshi"(Bresnan 439). Founders of Zen monastery remotely located in an "out-of-the-way place," meaning an ordinary place that passes over by others and where the environme...
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