Buddhism is an ancient religion that began in India around 2500 years ago in the 5th century. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama who reached enlightenment and a state of Nirvana. Buddhism does not worship any Gods, rather it seeks to find enlightenment through meditation. Meditation is a core expression of spirituality in the Buddhism faith. Meditation is a means of transforming the mind and is practiced with techniques that encourage and develop concentration, clarity, emotion positivity and a calm seeing of the true nature of things (Project Meditation, 2007). Buddhist meditation is an ancient spiritual expression which has been around since around 500B.C, where Siddhartha Gautama was said to have achieved enlightenment while …show more content…
It is beneficial to meditate fifteen to forty-five minutes each day – focusing on place – somewhere quiet where one won’t be disturbed; posture – commonly legs folded and straight back; practice – eyes closed and focusing on breath and mantras and problems in order to make a deeper mental calm and inner peace (The Buddhist Centre, 2011). Mantras are a set of words or sounds that have religious significance when repeated. Furthermore, meditation is a part of following the Noble Eightfold Path and by doing this a person might achieve a state of bliss, happiness and peace, free from Dukkha (Unsatisfactory life), finding Nirvana.
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Meditation in Buddhism is considered to be contemplative spirituality as meditation is being involved in prolonged, deep thought as well as being devoted primarily to prayer. In Buddhist meditation, such experiences can have a transformative effect and can lead to a new understanding of life. Meditation can be practiced in many different positions, the most common being the half lotus or full lotus position. This …show more content…
Firstly, in the center of the artwork is Siddhartha Gautama, meditating under a Bodhi tree as it is believed he reached enlightenment whilst meditating under a Bodhi Tree. It is also in the centre of the artwork representing that meditation and reaching enlightenment is at the core of the Buddhists beliefs and duties. In the artwork, Buddha is white which represents that he is pure, cleansed and associated with the light as he reached a state of enlightenment. Likewise, there is a bubble around Buddha’s head which is filled with flowing water which represents purity, healing and cleansing and represents that the Buddha had free flow of thoughts. Also, surrounding the water is the Shakyamuni mantra which praises Siddhartha Gautama, who is the founder of the Buddhist religion. Furthermore, the background inside the core of the artwork is a Gold Aura color as this is the colour of enlightenment and divine protection. Also it is the colour of wisdom, inner knowledge and represents a spiritual mind and intuitive thinker which relates to the Buddha as he found Nirvana. When appreciating the artwork as a whole it is seen to be in the shape of a lotus flower, and the petals are surrounding the centre of the artwork. I have incorporated the symbol of the lotus flower as it is symbolic of purity in the body, speech and