We chose these pieces to show a clash of cultures (as well as time) and at the same time showing how they all go together. The buddha (respectfully sized) would sit in the stuffed animal chair, and the buddha would be holding the "heart-hand" stick, or having it rest against the side of him. They all go together in an odd sort of way, but to know the history of the buddhist thought, and confucist thought that nature (animals in particular) are respectively on the same level as humans, and also in Daoism, to become one with the universe was also important, and with the buddha sitting on/being with the animals creates that sense of unity. with the "heart-hand-stick" symbolizes the many hand gestures that the buddha makes, which is called iconography, and each hand gesture means something different, and universally, the heart is a sign of love, and so universally recognizable, no one has to know the exact hand gesture of the buddha, but can look to the hand instead.
I love that we keep having things that we are learning about pop up in our different classes. Excellent time for this because you know we'll all understand now.... :-D
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