"Secrets of the Sacred" illuminates the role of icons and relics in
Buddhist writing and practice, with particular attention to the
transformation of inanimate material images into potent icons
animated by the divine. The earliest canonical scriptures indicate
that images of the Buddha were created before the concept of
transcendental identity was developed. Later writings reveal a
connectedness developed between image and deity, and eventually art
transformed into a means of creating a receptive environment for
communication with the divine power and attaining wisdom. The icon
became the perceivable bodies of the divine.
Esoteric practices within Buddhism trace back at least as far as
the first century CE but did not develop into a religio-philosophic
movement until after the fifth century. It relied on "mysteries"
handed down from teacher to pupil. Sacred texts provided clear
descriptions of the qualities and appearance of the Esoteric
pantheon, but were so elaborate that they challenged the
imagination and skill of Buddhist artists.
Brinker traces the original meaning and function of individual
icons and relics across the various schools of Buddhism. He
discusses their origin, style, meaning, and individual histories.
Beautiful illustrations complement the histories of these important
icons and relics.
Helmut Brinker is professor emeritus of East Asian art at the
University of Zurich. His previous books include "Treasures from
the Rietberg Museum, Zen in the Art of Painting, Chinese Cloisonne:
The Pierre Uldry Collection," and "ZEN - Masters of Mediation in
Images and Writings.""
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