Jiaganj Museum: a Reflection on the Pala-Sena Art
The paper posted on this blog includes a history of the Pala kings of India, as well as a list of the major sculptures found at the Jiaganj Museum, in Murshidabad (India). - Buddhist Art News
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Prerana Srimaal, Saturday, April 26, 2008
“The attempt of this paper is to re-read the History of Murshidabad during the Pala-Sena era with the help of contemporary sculptures of that time. These sculptures throw light on the society of that time at large and in turn, the politics, economy and culture of that period as well.
On our trip to Murshidabad, we paid a visit to the Jiaganj Museum. The museum has two galleries, displaying sculptures belonging to the Pala-Sena period. The curator of the Museum, Ms. Mousumi Banerjee, was kind enough to take time out from her busy schedule and show us around.
The Jiaganj Museum deserves special mention as the private collection of Rai Bahadur of 11th-13th centuries’ sculptures helped me an immense lot in my study. However, we were disappointed to note that some of these invaluable sculptures had been tarnished by the faulty use of chemicals which was indicated by a curious glossy effect.
In this paper, I have first briefly dealt with the chronology of Pala Dynasty rulers and the Sena Dynasty rulers, the political scenario and then gradually moved towards the economy, the social conditions and the cultural scene. After a brief discussion on Pala-Sena art in general, I have moved to the exhibits of the Jiaganj Museum and what the find signifies.…” (more…)
12 May 2008
Tibetans protest against stupas relocation
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Merinews, 9 May 2008
B K Upmanyu
Chinese authorities in Tibet are resolute to stop Tibetans’ revolts. Of late, they are protesting against relocation of stupas, which are sacred places of worship. Unfortunately, fun parks meant for tourists, are proposed to replace these stupas. (more…)
A depiction of patience
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Montrose Press (Colorado), April 28, 2008
Kati O’Hare
MONTROSE — With a disciplined hand and trained concentration, Tibetan Monk Thinley creates a vibrant work of art one grain of sand at a time.
The Tibetan sand mandala being constructed at the Ute Indian Museum symbolizes the “deity” of wisdom and peace, said Geshe Phuntsok, spiritual director of the Asanga Institute in Montrose. For the next 11 days, Thinley, with assistance from Phuntsok, will create a sand mandala designed to show others a different culture and “tell the message of Buddhism,” Phuntsok said. “We get peace from concentration.” (more…)
Leh Palace is a legacy of Ladakhi Wars
This blog entry’s English is a bit shaky. The entirety of this description of the Leh Palace in Ladakh seems to have been taken from another source (perhaps an tourist / official site), as evidenced by the many detailed notes on the structure. - Buddhist Art News
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The town of Leh is the registered office of zone, and the largest city of the area of Ladakh of the state. It located at approximately 6 kilometers of the right bank of the Indus river. The city is approximately 3505 m above the average sea level.
The palate of Leh is a legacy of the wars of Ladakhi`s with rules of Kashmir at the 19th century. A miniature version of palate of Potala with Lhasa, Thibet and the most building in the world of its own periods Chicogo (the United States) built multi storeyed of the buildings in 1871, however, palate of Leh of of century of stage of Senge Namgyal`s new 17th and the palate of Potala of Thibet are the nine existing oldest storeyed the building in the world. The palate of Leh inspired, the palate more refining of Patola with Lhasa, which was half built per century later. (more…)
Castles and Temples and Shrines…Oh my!
This blog from a traveller in Japan describes with enthusiasm visits to Buddhist temples and encounters with Buddhist art. - Buddhist Art News
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May 11, 2008
Since coming to Japan almost everyday we have visited at least one shrine (Shinto) or temple (Buddhist) oftentimes many.
Don’t get me wrong, I love it. I have found something deeply spiritual or powerful in every one we have visited. And on an aesthetic level they all have a beauty that rivals or surpasses even the cathedrals of Europe in my opinion. I am drawn in by the juxtaposition of nature and the holy on these temple and shrine complexes. Oftemtimes there are numerous buildings and altars within a deep forest or on a mountainside with streams and ponds throughout. These ties with nature are strong, and deeply important to the religion itself, particularly in Shinto. I find this much more appealing than the cold stone of the western religious tradition.
The Buddhist temples we visited have the most impressive statues. (more…)
The Syncretism of Tai Chi and Bach
Several reviews of “Moon Water,” performed by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, amongst dozens on this group’s signature piece (choreography by the group’s director Lin Hwai-min, (1998)):
- at Sadler’s Wells (timesonline, 27 April 2008)
- thestageco.uk (18 April 2008)
- in 2003 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (New York Times, November 20, 2003: headline and below),
- (Times Literary Supplement, May-June 2002)
- 2002 at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, UK (criticaldance.com, May 28, 2002; photo, right (rotated))
The New York Times, 20 November 2003
With its silvery mirrored surfaces and trickle of water across the stage, there is no doubt about the stunning theatricality of ”Moon Water,” the New York premiere that the choreographer Lin Hwai-min is presenting with his Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan at the Brooklyn Academy of Music through Saturday.
Yet ”Moon Water” is anything but a conventional dance piece, and its production values have a metaphoric resonance. Unlike Mr. Lin’s previous works, also seen in the Next Wave Festival at the academy, ”Moon Water” is not about meditation but is a meditation in itself. Mr. Lin has accomplished what creative artists rarely succeed in doing today: challenging the audience with a work unlike any other. (more…)
11 May 2008
Buddha’s Birthday holiday (May 9th or 12th)
Buddha’s Birthday (traditional Chinese: 佛誕; pinyin: fó dàn; Cantonese: fātdáahn), the birthday of the Gautama Buddha traditionally celebrated in East Asia on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is an official holiday in Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. - Wikipedia
Localities prepare for Buddhist Vesak
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The central province of Thua Thien-Hue is busy preparing for the most important Buddhist festival, the United Nations Day of Vesak to be held from May 12-19.
The local organising board said construction is nearing completion of three stages that will host major ceremonies and art performances during the festival.
The central city will also hold a peace march of 5,000-7,000 people and a parade of 69 flower-decorated carriages.
Along with Thua Thien-Hue, the Mekong delta province of Tien Giang is finalising a number of activities to celebrate the event, including a parade of 66 flower carriages, a competition based on Buddha’s life and song and dance performances.
The UN Day of Vesak marks Buddha’s birthday, his Enlightenment and entry into Nirvana.
Kelsey Brookes and AJ Fosik
“His paintings explode with a figurative nature that is influenced by Hindu and Buddhist deities, exotic animals, sex, as well as rustic American quilts.” Examining the images on the gallery’s site, it is hard to discern anything remotely Buddhist. As with architecture, so with contemporary art: it was become fashionable to cite a Buddhist influence. - Buddhist Art News
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Juxtapoz, Monday, 05 May 2008
White Walls Gallery presents Kelsey Brookes and AJ Fosik in a dual show opening Saturday, May 10th.
Kelsey Brookes is a former biochemist that attributes his raw style to an educational system that refuses to teach scientists how to draw. His paintings explode with a figurative nature that is influenced by Hindu and Buddhist deities, exotic animals, sex, as well as rustic American quilts. Who says those don’t go together? Each figure is adorned with ghostly representations of the natural world; animals and plants unfold from the body into the surrounding canvas. His chimeras are frozen with animalistic intensity in explosive and sometimes tortured positions. (more…)
14 Most Amazing Temples in the World
Ten Buddhist sites make this blogger’s list of the “14 Most Amazing Temples in the World”. This dominance might depend in part upon the unstated criterion (Asian religions only). We excerpt the Buddhist sites below. Follow the link for the rest, and many more photographs. - Buddhist Art News
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Trifter.com, 5 May 2008
by CHAN LEE PENG
Siangde Temple - Taiwan
Siangde Temple is a scenic spot that is surrounded by green mountains resembles 9 lotuses and thus it is named as Nine Lotus or Jiuhuashan in Taiwan. It is situated on a plateau across the Liwu River where vehicles cannot reach and hence this temple remains as a tranquility place. This temple has become part of the wonderful scenery spots in Taroko National Park of Taiwan, which is near to the Taroko village of Tiansheng overlooking Pudu Bridge. Here an amazing sight of a 12-meter tall giant statue of the Earth Store Bodhisattva rises above the surrounding greenery. (more…)
10 May 2008
One with everything
- Buddhist Art News
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China Daily, 2008-05-04
The title of the sculpture exhibition, Looking for Spiritual Space, suggests Taiwan artist Li Zhen’s inner contemplation of Buddha and nature.
Now on at the National Art Museum of China, the exhibition displays some 30 pieces of Li’s bronze sculptures. Polished in silver gloss, most of the works are based on such Buddhist images as Sakyamuni and the Goddess of Mercy.
Ranging from half-a-meter to three meters in height, the works look imposing and convey a feeling of auspiciousness. The sculptures are done in different poses - some standing, some sitting and yet others lying down. (more…)
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