Buddhist Art and Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to Buddhist concepts, art history, and iconography.

Buddha (The Historical Buddha)

Refers to Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher whose teachings founded Buddhism.

nirvana

The ultimate state of spiritual liberation and freedom from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.

pari-nirvana

The final, complete nirvana entered upon the physical death of an enlightened Buddha.

samsara

The repeating cycle of birth, death, and rebirth driven by karma.

karma

The principle of cause and effect where intent and actions influence an individual's future rebirths.

relief

A sculpture technique where the carved figures protrude from a flat background.

Wheel of Dharma

A central Buddhist symbol representing the Buddha's teachings and the path to enlightenment.

frieze

A broad, decorative horizontal band along a wall, ceiling, or architectural structure.

stylized

Represented in a non-naturalistic or artistic form according to a specific style rather than real life.

contrapposto

An asymmetrical stance in visual art where a human figure's weight rests on one foot, shifting hips and shoulders off-axis.

stupa

A dome-shaped Buddhist monument or shrine housing sacred relics, used for circumambulation and prayer.

aniconism

The practice of representing sacred figures through symbols rather than human or bodily form.

anthropomorphic

Attributing human characteristics, form, or behavior to non-human figures or divine beings.

continuous narrative

An art style that depicts multiple sequential events of a story within a single continuous visual frame.

Bodhisattva

A person who has reached enlightenment but delays entering nirvana out of compassion to save others.

mudra

A symbolic or ritual hand gesture used in Buddhist art, iconography, and spiritual practices.