Both Buddha and Jesus (of Christianity) did not preach to their followers of their divinity. Buddha, in fact, told his followers not to worship him as a god. Yet both religions depict its founder as a divine person (see the Comparative Illustration on p. 53). Comment on the followers' desire to depict their human founder as divine in art.
Post by March 20.
24 comments:
justin
in both religions, the founder brought a new idea and religion to the people. the reason they didn't want to be worshiped is because they didn't want the people to mistake what they were saying. they simply brought about a new light on things. they did many good things though. this made the people that the "god" of that religion sent this person to enlighten them. the felt a certain admiration for him. they looked up to them for advise so when they passed the felt that they were a "god" and that is how they knew all the answers.
it is a human instinct to belive that there is someody who is above them. people want to be led and their is a chance for their redemption. their followers wanted to believe their leader is right. the best way to affirm this is by calling them divine. another reason for this would be writers block. an artist that had no idea what to draw about, just has do draw their leader in a fabulous scenario. after seeing these paintings, the followers would be more devout and it would become a circle. it evolved into its present form, the megachurches, each tries to outdo eachother by making somthing grander.
Personally I think that Alex’s blog was amazing. He totally hit it right on the money…or should I say on the marble…ha ha ha cuz the sculpture was made from stone. O man I kill myself. But anyway, the followers of both Jesus and buddha could not think of something to sculpt or paint that did not depict their leader in some sense of holiness. And the only way to make others follow you through art you must have an example of people praising your leader. Like Alex said.
In the painting with Jesus it depicts him as a shepherd. Being Christian, we were taught that Jesus is like a shepherd to us and he cares for his sheep (people). So we know that Jesus is like a king to us, other implications are his central location in the painting with the sun shining down on him from above, representing his kingship again. In his hand Jesus holds a staff, (most shepherds did carry staffs in those days) but, his was shaped as a cross to remind us of his great sacrifice.
The buddha sculpture shows people praising and worshiping their leader, but here they are not represented but the people are openly worshiping this man. The look of adoration upon the faces of his followers is only too obvious. And again the central location is apparent here.
The people of both religions could not help depicting their leaders in a godly manner, because what is the point of worship is the person is not greater than you. And you won’t make anyone follow your religion if you worship something that contains nothing to be praised.
It is indeed human nature. The reason they say that the leader is define is the people always wants someone to lead them and without that historical figure the whole fabric of the society will collapse. This need for someone to lead them is this ancient instinct that humans can’t think for them self and they need someone to point them in the right direction. Now when it comes to being divine it is obvious when people see something they don’t understand they think supernatural.
It is human nature to want to be a part of something bigger than ones self.Belonging is a driving factor in the human psyche.By making the leaders divine, it reaffirms the people in their belief in the leader, thus uniting the people and making them feel all warm and cuddly inside.
I agree with Alex, it is human nature for people to believe that there is always someone better than them, and for the most part that’s true. When someone comes along and introduces new ideas to people it can end in one of two ways; this person can be viewed as someone great, smart, and enlightening or they can be seen as completely ignorant, a disgrace, and sometimes crazy. Both Buddha and Jesus told their followers that they were not gods, this could have been to protect themselves from responsibility but I do not believe that is the case. I think that both Jesus and Buddha truly believed in what they were saying, so they didn’t want to contradict themselves by saying they were gods. Their followers however, needed to justify believing in something that had been told to them by someone else. In order to rationalize their following of this new religion (although it was not yet known as a religion necessarily) was to make the person who enlightened them, a god. It was hard to say “I’m following this because that guy told me to” but it made more sense to say “I learned of my new faith from a divine being, who enlightened me and spoke to me the word of god”.
And i would like to say that i wrote this before Cam even posted and then my computer spazed out so i didn't post before him. It is just a coincidence that our posts are similar.
And I'm mad at Cam for posting before me.
Looking at the previous blogs, everyone has pointed out human nature drives one to follow other people. Humans usually need some type of guidance, as a form of security and comfort. The followers believed strongly in the religions these leaders preached of. The followers then saw these leaders as a divine being...someone special, who they could ultimately look up to for inspiration. Jesus and Buddha had such power in the way they presented themselves, how could the followers not see them as a "god," sent to restore faith and reason?
I agree with Alex, people, for some reason, believe that there has to be some greater power. I think this is because people not only need stories to teach people good virtues and such, but also how we got here and why (what is our purpose in life). Also, I think that believing in a "god" or something like one, can always make people feel like they have chance at everything (anything is possible).
buhdda and jesus are both prophets of their religion. they didnt make the religion, but they spread it around by collecting followers. these followers often had nothing but religion and were very grateful for the prophetic insight. therefore they saw these mortals as divine, despite what they were told. they felt that these "prophets" were divine because they gave them something to believe in and worship. and with these aspects came hope and,...happiness, so to speak.
and excuse me for not agreeing with alex
Matt Hoey
As Alex said, it is human nature for people to think there is something above them. For a place as big and as great as the world, i believe most people want something to believe in. Also, to disagree with people who called Jesus, "God," that is incorrect. Followers of buddha may think he was devine or a god. But Jesus was a man without sin who was the son of God and born of the virgin mary. Yes he was devine but he was no god, he was a part of God. Another thing, I can see how the two religions are very similar though, and why they are religions that people believe in.
I think the main reason people looked to Buddah and Jesus as divine is because in a world so full of evil, when theres an actual person doing the right thing ALL the time, I can see why people would think these men were special.Also most people all need to believe in something, we need the comfort to know that our lives aren't just for nothing. And to place that comfort in someone preaching peace and an afterlife by calling them divine would make sense. I can understand why they wouldn't want their followers to look at them as divine. Then people would hang on their every word and feel the need to please them, like an emporer.
As almost everyone has stated, humans seek comfort in believing in a higher power, a "god". They almost rely on a higher power to tell us what to believe, therefore they don't have to make the rash desicions themself whether what to believe and what not to believe. They both are considered divine because they are someone we look up to, we seek their knowledge and aim to be like them or at least to satisfy them. Worshiping and simply following someone/ considering them divine are two different things. The citizens have the power not to believe these people however, they do because it's something they believe as well, and seek comfort in looking up to this upper person.
In art, the characteristics of divinity are symbolized by the use of the halo which says that the artist believes that the teachings and entire existence of the person should be considered special, holy, divine, and powerful. Since artwork is lasting, there is importance in how the person is shown. The artist hopes to give a certain impression to those looking at the picture/art by using the halo. The followers of Buddha and Jesus feel that showing their devotion in art will give attention to their teachings and beliefs and attract people to listen carefully, and maybe join in believing, too.
meg
I agree with all of the blogs. People always want to be better and better. And without these religious figures there would be no motivation to get better and better. Our nature is what drives us to want to be part of something greater. These founders opened up a world to many people. Following such a "great" person gives people instant gratification. This gives some people a purpose. Those who are faithful really believe and worship their one god and aspire to follow in his/her footsteps.
I think that the followers depicted their human founder in each religion as divine in art to remind them of their founder, and of the many things the depicted (Jesus and Siddhartha) profound. To perhaps show others their appearance, achievements, and tell of the religion each introduced. Some of the arts and monuments also survive long enough to gain followers by catching their attention and teaching of the religion. This method makes the religion survive for long periods of time. The arts and monuments might as well provide, as said previously, comfort to the followers in time of desperation and need. The arts which so far has survived many years also resembles the religion. If it wasn't for the followers making arts and monuments revelant to each religion little would be known.
I agree with both Justin and Alex about how followers want to be led by people because if they didn't why believe in a religion in the first place because it's the same as being led. I think that there's an aura around these great people who created these religion and they didn't want to be worshipped as a god yet in the end do. Whereas people who try like Alexander the great aren't and he tried to get himself worshipped by people. On a second note, i think that it's pretty cool that buddha did martial arts and that he was FAT. Now thats talent.
Edward Cummins
Alex, Bryan, and John are absolutely right on target when they say it is a human quality to have a person that can think for you demonstrating laws and beliefs to follow. Jesus and the Buddha are both divine because they give something that the people can believe in and something that would make sense of their life. Through containing certain ideals, the life of the followers could live a stable life. We tend to believe in powerful and divine leaders like Buddha and Jesus to guide us and send us to the right directions as Bryan said.
In both Christianity, and Buddhism, the followers viewed them as gods. As alex said, it is human nature to worship and believe in one who is above them. People crave structure, and a leader of or someone who is worshiped, is vital to stability. Without leaders, there is only anarchy and chaos. It is up to those leaders to grasp the chaos and bring it under control. It is or this reason that the followers looked at them as divine. Because without a leader, there would be no structure, stability or someone to look up to, to find happiness and peace.
Buddhism and Christianity are both religions that were created with elements from other religion. They wanted a new thing to believe in. Both religions just wanted their faith to be spread around, they just wanted believers. I think that its human nature that to believe something you have to have someone or something to worship. That’s why when the people created their religious art they made their founders divine. If they have someone to follow as a leader and divine person it makes the religion much more believable and easier.
Although the Bible states that we should not worship anyone or any place other than God himself, I personally belong to the church/tree house of Our Lady of…….. Hey, that’s no Lady, that’s My Wife. But on a less serious note I don’t agree with a lot of things that Alex said, and if you believe in what is said in the Bible you should not either.
In the Bible, it states that you should not worship any man or place but God himself, and yet we worship false idols and man made teachings. Though Jesus was clearly a great man he was also an accomplished carpenter, and made a lovely coffee table for my great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great grandfather.
It is also in man’s nature to compare himself to that of a higher power in hopes of becoming the greatest he can be. And, in fact, like Tom and Alex said, people accept art as a form of godliness and/or holiness. And, also, like Cam said “It is human nature to want to be a part of something bigger than ones self. Belonging is a driving factor in the human psyche.” I also agree with cam when he explained the warm cuddly sensation that overwhelms the body in result to unification.
I would like to add that I am the most madiest at Casey for posting before me, and I found Tom Wynn’s pun hilarious. I know some of you may find this blog controversial and somewhat offensive, but I’m not only tired, I’m grounded ……. again.
As alex said it is human instinct to belive that there is a God out there somewhere. I think that when someone comes down and says that they are a prophet and that God is real and everything, the faith that you had is now ultimatly stronger and it helps you on your way to being a better person in life. I like how John said that these people were special because they were doing good all the time, and if you look back, you can see just how hard this actually was.
Anybody who seems like a divine human people will learn to idolize them. Im guessing it is like if you met Kevin Youklis on the street, you probably would not just pass him by. (if you are a Red Sox fan) But if it were any other regular person you just would not seem to care. So simply in both religions, I see Jesus and Buddah as the superstars of their time in a sense.
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