The Influence of Buddhism and Hinduism on the Artworks in Ancient Indian Culture

In ancient Indian culture, most of the artworks are influenced by religions of its era such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Many Indian figures or paintings contain representations of their gods and goddesses, symbolizing different aspects from its culture and religion. Shiva as Natarja and Seated Buddha statues are two main representations from Hinduism and Buddhism that reveal many important aspects and beliefs. Shiva as Natarja is one of the major works of the Hinduism from 1000 C.E in India.

Also, the seated Buddha preaching first sermon is one of the major artworks of Buddhism from fifth century in India. Although they are from different time periods, both figures share many ideas in common. The gestures and positions of the two figures symbolize their core beliefs and aspects on diverse matters from each religion. First, these two figures strongly emphasize the importance and greatness of these two gods, Shiva and Buddha, by portraying them with supernatural qualities and power. Secondly, the messages of afterlife and new beginning are exhibited in several ways in both figures. Lastly, they both are created to demonstrate the importance of god.

In Shiva as Nataraja and Seated Buddha statues, the significance and greatness of gods are portrayed and emphasized strongly in many ways. Both figure use their hands as gestures, or mudras, to express their core beliefs and values. The figure of Shiva, a god of destruction and creation, contains supernatural characteristics as to indicate the power of god. In this figure, Shiva has four arms representing different ideas and characteristics of him. Two arms that are touching the flaming symbolize the nimbus, the light of glory. The lower left hand that is pointing to his upraised foot signifies the place where followers can find refuge and enlightenment.

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Lastly, the lower right hand delivers messages to worshipers to come forward without fear. To contrast, since Shiva is a god of both creation and destruction, the figure also embraces some characteristics of destruction of life. The fires around the rim of the circle represent the destruction of life. Shiva destroys the universe so that it can be reborn again. Additionally, he is a destroyer of the ego. Lastly, the third eye represents the ability to envision what is beyond the reality. It is a significant figure of supernatural because it allows a god to be wiser with an additional enlightened eye.

On the other hand, the seated statue of preaching Buddha emphasizes its greatness by a significant mudra and portraying the figure with the perfect forms and proportions of the body, which demonstrates the power of figure's spirituality, as well. Buddha is being depicted in various ways with different kinds of mudras, all signifying different meanings. This figure is a depiction of Buddha preaching his first sermon, which is indicated by a mudra of wheel turning. The halo behind the Buddha also symbolizes that he is the god. Moreover, the bun in Buddha's head signifies his wisdom and intelligence of the universe similar to the function of the third eye of Shiva.

As Hinduism and Buddhism believe in afterlife and highly value the new beginnings, the figures of Shiva as Nataraja and seated Buddha contain messages of afterlife and new creations. Shiva itself exhibits importance of creation since he is the god of creation. In this figure of Shiva as Nataraja, different gestures of arms represent both the destruction and creation of the universe. The coexistence of these two ideas suggests that Hinduism believes in the endless cycle of birth and death. In Buddhism, the idea of afterlife serves as one of the most important beliefs and guidance to the worshipers. Buddha teaches his disciples that doing good wills in life will lead to a peaceful afterlife. Meditating is emphasized as a path to be wise and thoughtful. The eyes of Buddha in this figure are downcast in meditation indicating the significance of it.

The figures of Shiva as Nataraja and the seated Buddha preaching his first sermon both are made to emphasize the importance of god. As mentioned, many Indian artworks contain the depictions of the gods, which demonstrate that religion is an important aspect in life in their cultures. Although these two figures are created in different time periods and cultures, they serve as similar functions. Both of these figures are depictions of gods. Shiva represents the destruction and creation in Hinduism.

Shiva is served as a symbol for the endless cycle of death and rebirth. It destroys the ego and universe while creating the new universe on the other side. It illustrates that destruction opens the path to a new creation of the universe. Furthermore, Buddha represents the supreme and very wise human being form of god who discovered the ultimate ways of lives. The function of this statue of Buddha is to be honored and worshipped. This is demonstrated in the scene below the Buddha where a number of disciples are in gestures of meditating like their god. Also, this seated figure of Buddha with a wheel-turning gesture is served as guidance to way of life to the followers of Buddhism.

The two major artworks, Shiva as Nataraja and Seated Buddha preaching first sermon, from Hinduism and Buddhism share many similar aspects of their own religion. Although the figure of Shiva is from 1000 C.E. and Buddha is from the fifth century, both figures represent significance and relevance of the religions as well as the power of gods. Both serve as the similar functions, as well. Each gesture in both figures reflects to different meanings and symbols revealing the importance of afterlife.

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