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ART HISTORY 449
Buddhist Arts of Asia
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department of Art History
Fall 2005
Thursday:10-12:45pm
1031 Oliver Hall
Dr. Dina Bangdel
Office: 302 Buford Hall
Office Hrs: Wednesdays 1-3 or by appointment
Phone: 628-7037
Email: dbangdel@vcu.edu
This course is an introduction to the religion and art of Buddhist traditions in South and East Asia with particular attention to India, Nepal, Tibet, and Japan. By bringing religion and art together in one course, the course not only give a multifaceted introduction to Buddhist traditions, but also to examine how our understanding of these traditions changes when we study religion through the lens of art, and art through the lens of religion. Does studying Buddhist art train us to see aspects of Buddhism that scholars of religion tend to overlook? Does studying Buddhist religion offer new interpretations of Buddhist art? One way the course addresses these questions is to focus on Buddhist ritual, since these join together the spheres of religion and art.
A key theme of the course is how Buddhists in the past and present have used different expressions of visual arts and ritual practices in order to transform themselves and their environments. In other words, we will examine how Buddhists use art and ritual to transform people and physical space.
Required Textbooks:
1. Robert E. Fisher, Buddhist Art and Architecture (1993) [BAA]
2. Kevin Trainor, Buddhism: The Illustrated Guide (2004) [BG]
The class will be organized as a series of class lectures and discussion focusing on the Buddhist art of three regions:
Visual materials and handouts given in class will be posted on Blackboard. Some of the images shown in class may not in your textbook, therefore you are required to be familiar with the images posted on the class website and given in the monument list.
Course Requirements:
Class Discussions:
For each lecture theme, you need to finish the required reading for that day. You should come to class prepared to ask questions or clarifications pertaining to the reading, as well as participating in class discussion. We will also have class discussions based on the readings for the last 1/2 hour of each class.
Attendance:
Your attendance is absolutely mandatory for a good grade in the course. Roll is taken at each class. Since we only meet once a week, you are allowed one (1) unexcused absence during the entire semester. You will be required to present a dated note from a certified medical doctor, or a note of excuse from the Dean of the School of the Arts for an acceptable excuse for an absence. Missing class beyond the one unexcused absence will result in the lower of the final course grade by one full letter grade for each excessive absence.
Exams:
There will one midterm and a FINAL. The questions for the exams will be based on the images discussed in class, your corresponding class notes, and materials from the assigned readings. As a result, regular and on-time attendance, as well as maintaining detailed, organized notes of class lectures are CRUCIAL. To secure a good grade on the tests, it will be mandatory to include information provided in class lectures and NOT just what is discussed in the textbooks.
Papers:
There are two papers requirements:
1. Film Review Paper: Matrix and Buddhism (2-3 pages)
Due: September 8, 2005
Film on Reserve at Cabell Media and Reserve DVDs (3rd Floor)
PN1997.M37 1999
Assignment:
If you view the Matrix as a “Buddhist” film, discuss those elements/concepts that may be better contextualized and understood in a Buddhist context. Highlight specific themes and analyze critically the ways in which Buddhist themes are portrayed in this genre of popular culture.
2. Short Research Paper (5-7 pages): Museum Work of Art
Due Dates:
November 3, 2005 (selection of object)
· hand in photograph/1 page outline)
November 17, 2005 (final paper)
Assignment:
This writing assignment is meant both as an exercise for visual analysis and also to contextualize the larger themes of Buddhism in the works of art.
You are required to go to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and select ONE work of Buddhist art, regardless of provenance (Indian, Nepalese, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese). In your paper, critically analyze the work of art, addressing these issues:
Include in your paper, a photograph/sketch of the work of art. Photography in the Museum is allowed, without a flash. You may email me (dbangdel@vcu.edu) the photograph as an attachment, if you cannot print it.
Course Grade
· Midterm Exam: 30%
· Final Exam: 35%
· Short Research Paper: 15%
· Film Review Paper: 10%
· Attendance & Discussion: 10%
VCU Honor Code:
All students are subject to the policies and regulations of the VCU Honor System. It is the student's responsibility to familiarize themselves with the honor system as presented in the Schedule ofClasses, the VCU Resource Guide, and the Undergraduate Bulletin, or on the VCU web site at:
http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/rg7honor.html
Disability Accommodations:
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia Commonwealth University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students seeking academic adjustments or accommodations must self-identify with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities on the appropriate campus. After meeting with the Coordinator, students are encouraged to meet with instructors to discuss their needs and, if applicable, any laboratory safety concerns related to their disabilities.
Academic Campus Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities: 828-1139.
Students requesting accommodation based on a disability MUST provide documentation from the Campus Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities. This documentation is generally in the form of a letter from that office detailing specific requests. Students not cleared by that office are not eligible for adjustments.
COURSE SCHEDULE
SOUTH ASIAN BUDDHIST TRADITION
WEEK1
August 25 Introduction: Fundamentals of Buddhism
Themes:
Buddhist Cosmology:
What does the Buddhist universe look like?
Symbolic Language of Buddhist Art
Readings:
Fisher: Introduction, pp. 7-28
Trainor: Part I: Origins (pp. 6-55)
WEEK 2 NO CLASS
September 1 View on your own (available at Cabell Library Reserve 3rd floor):
The Matrix (1999)
Paper I:
Reaction paper: Matrix due next week.
Readings:
Trainor: Part II: Principles and Practice (pp. 58-118)
WEEK 3 LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA
September 8 Themes: Buddhist Cosmology
Concept and Themes
Buddhist Art and Lay Patronage
In-class discussion: Matrix and Buddhism (come prepared!!)
WEEK 4 Early Buddhist Art: Patronage, Narrative, And The Relic Cults
September 15 Themes: Buddhist Art of Maurya Period (3rd century BCE)
The Stupa as relic
Buddhist Rock-cut Architecture
Read: Jataka stories (Blackboard) (in-class discussion)
Trainor: Part 2, Chapter 7 (pp. 120-133)
Fisher: pp. 29-86 (for next week also)
WEEK 5 Mahayana Enlightenment: The Universal Vehicle and Emptiness
September 22 Themes: Iconography of Buddha and Bodhisattvas
Art of the Kushana period (1st-3rd centuries)
Art of the Gupta Period (4th-8th centuries)
Rock-cut Caves as Paradises: Ajanta, Western India
Read:Trainor: Part 2, Chapter 8 (pp.132-139); pp. 196-203.
WEEK 6 Tantric Buddhism: Self as Buddha
September 29 Themes: Tantric Buddhism in India
Biography of Tantric Teachers (Mahasiddhas)
Methods: Meditation and Visualization
Read: Trainor: Part 2, Chapter 10 (pp.162-173)
(e-reserve) Mahasiddha Biography: (in-class discussion)
HIMALYAN BUDDHISM: NEPAL AND TIBET
WEEK 7 First Hour: Midterm Review
October 6
Second Hour: Buddhism in Nepal
Themes: Living Tradition of Tantra: Newar Buddhism
Ritual and Art: Practicing the Vajrayana Path
Read:Huntington and Bangdel, Circle of Bliss, pp. 29-35.
WEEK 8 First Hour: Midterm
October 13 Newar Buddhist Art of Nepal
Themes: Contemporary Practices of Artistic Production
: Lost Wax Process
WEEK 9 Tantric Buddhist Art of Tibet
October 20 Themes: Wrathful Compassion: Deities of Tantric Buddhism
: Visualization and Meditation Practices
: Reading Mandalas
Read: Huntington and Bangdel, Circle of Bliss, pp. 29-35.
WEEK 10 Tantric Art and Practice
October 27 Themes: Tibetan Tulku system: reincarnation, rebirth, karma
Chod Practice: Ritual Implements as Art
In-class Video: Reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche
WEEK 11 Women and Goddess in Tantric Buddhism:
November 3 Themes: Women as wisdom and Buddhas
Read: ·Miranda Shaw, “Worship of Women in Tantric Buddhism”
·"Two Tantric Meditations: Visualizing the Deity",
Buddhism in Practice (in-class discussion)
Selection of Image for Paper due
BUDDHIST ART OF EAST ASIA
WEEK 12 Pureland Buddhism in Japan:
November 10 “By the Grace you have been Saved”
Themes: Faith and Devotion in Pureland Buddhism
Taima Mandara
Raigo Paintings
Film: The lands of the Disappearing Buddhas (from LONG SEARCH)
Read: Fisher: pp.125-162
Trainor: pp144-149
WEEK 13 Zen Buddhism, Art and Aesthetics: Mindful Enlightnement
November 17 Themes: Zen Aesthetics
Zenga: Zen Painting
Zen Sacred Space and Ritual: Garden and Tea Ceremony
Read: The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating your Artistic Life
(in-class discussion)
Film: Japanese Tea Ceremony
Read: Fisher: pp.162-166
Trainor: pp. 150-161
Paper 2 Due
WEEK 14
November 24 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING BREAK
WEEK 15 BUDDHISM AND ART IN THE CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT:
December 1 Themes: Buddhism in America
: Buddhism in Popular Culture
Read: Select 2 reading out of a 5 from Blue Jean Buddha, Voices of Young Buddhists. (in-class discussion)
WEEK 16
December 8 Wrap-up Discussion and Exam Review