Edited and designed by Frank Olinsky, founding art director of Tricycle magazine, Buddha Book presents over ninety sacred images of the Buddha -- both Eastern and Western, ancient and modern -- in the form of paintings, carvings, sculptures, photographs, and drawings. From rare museum pieces and exquisite temple art to striking modern interpretations by such artists as David Byrne, Henri Matisse, Bernardo Bertolucci, and Nam June Paik, Buddha Bookinvites readers to contemplate the many faces of enlightenment.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
As Buddhist scholar Robert A. F. Thurman explains in the introduction, the image of the Buddha serves as "a refuge for security, a beacon for inspiration, and a temple for creativity." This engaging volume presents more than 90 artistic representations of the Buddha, including Eastern and Western, ancient and contemporary. From exquisite temple carvings to modern interpretations by painter Henri Matisse, musician David Byrne, filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci, video artist Nam June Paik, readers are presented with diverse likenesses of the Buddha from around the world, inviting them to contemplate the many faces of enlightenment. Connoting serenity, wisdom, compassion, and enlightenment, the sheer range of interpretation of the Buddha testifies to its lasting power as an icon.
Review
From: NAPRA ReView
Over 90 images are gathered here, ranging from immense Buddha-as-building to whimsical ink drawings, from gargantuan feet to woodchip figurines, emaciated fasting Buddhas to Alec Fray's "Cyber Buddha"--Olinsky has masterfully juxtaposed impressions of the great teacher as seen by artists all over the world. An authoritative introduction by Robert A.F. Thurman provides a lucid summary of how Buddha worship developed, and explains the significance of representational images to devotees. This wonderful book can be enjoyed on many levels, not least as a compendium of artistic expression and religious fervor.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Enlightening coffee-table book,
By Brian Ruh (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Buddha Book: A Meeting of Images (Hardcover)
The book begins with a decent 5 page intro to the Buddha by Robert Thurman. There is nothing wrong with the intro, but one can tell he mainly studies Tibetan Buddhism -- there is a great emphasis on gods, heavens, divinity, and the like. The intro would have been better had it been representative of Buddhism as a whole. The actually images of different Buddhas, which constitute most of the book, are extremely interesting, varying widely in style, media, composition, and even subject matter. (It is fascinating how many different forms of the Buddha have been created.) The differing Buddhas vary from serene to silly (such as Jim Crump's photo of the Putt Putt Buddha.) More famous Buddhas include those done by Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Nam June Paik. Some images are awesome (as in inspiring awe), but a few just aren't very good. This book won't do anything for a scholar of Buddhism -- there is nothing that tells what the Buddha's different positions, hand gestures, etc. are supposed to mean. But does contain some beautiful works of art, and in that respect it fulfills its purpose.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Images of Buddha - delightful and thought provoking,
By Joyful (Oregon) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Buddha Book: A Meeting of Images (Hardcover)
I had been looking for a book with just images of the Buddha for awhile, when I came across the 'Buddha Book'. It's exactly what I wanted. Full of interesting photos depicting the Buddha in varied ways, mediums, and locations. From statues in Asia, Tibetan tangkas, modern-day sculptures, installations, paintings, to digital/computer generated images. Both contemplative and thought provoking, this delightful book might also at times put a smile on your face.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!!!!!,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Buddha Book: A Meeting of Images (Hardcover)
This book is great, with art for Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg to photos of the Loshan Buddha and a great photo of a Buddha surounded by skulls in Kampuchia.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
A Buddha is an archetype understood by most Buddhists as an pattern which a conscious being directs his or her evolutionary striving. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
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A Buddha is an archetype understood by most Buddhists as an pattern which a conscious being directs his or her evolutionary striving. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Near Chengdu New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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