Understanding Bodhisattvas: Maitreya

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the bodhisattva Maitreya and Buddhist iconography.

Bodhisattva

An enlightened being who postpones Nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.

Maitreya

The bodhisattva known as the Buddha of the Future.

Nirvana

The last stage of life in Buddhism that a bodhisattva postpones to assist others.

Iconography

Visual imagery and symbols used to convey specific meanings in religious art.

Mudra

A symbolic hand gesture used in Buddhistic iconography to communicate specific meanings.

Urna

A dot between the eyebrows representing a whirl of hair, symbolizing knowledge.

Gandhara

A region known for its specific style of Buddhist art and sculptures developing around the third century.

Ascetic

A person who renounces material possessions and bodily needs in pursuit of spiritual goals.

Jewelry and adornment

Symbolic representations of divine status, indicating the heavenly nature of Maitreya.

Monumentally-sized sculptures

Large sculptures that became prominent during the third century, depicting bodhisattvas and the Buddha.