Before and Beyond the Image: Aniconic Symbolism in Buddhist Art

Dietrich Seckel

ISBN 10: 390707713X ISBN 13: 9783907077139

Published by Artibus Asiae Publishers, Museum Rietberg Zurich, 2004

Used Condition: Good Soft cover

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Considerable wear to edges and corners of dark blue wraps. Bar code sticker on back wrap. Interior is unmarked. Black and white photo illustrations. English translation by Andreas Leisinger. Edited by Helmut Brinker and John Rosenfield.(1).

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Bibliographic Details

Title: Before and Beyond the Image: Aniconic Symbolism in Buddhist Art
Publisher: Artibus Asiae Publishers, Museum Rietberg Zurich
Publication Date: 2004
ISBN 10: 390707713X
ISBN 13: 9783907077139
Binding: Soft cover
Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

"Published a quarter-century ago, Dietrich Seckel's essay remains a vital contribution to a much-debated feature of Buddhist art, its aniconism, its aversion to depicting spiritual entities of the very highest order. Unlike Judaism, early Christianity, and Islam, he explains, the Buddhist faith has not condemned the representation of holy beings or living creatures. Nonetheless it believes that its most crucial spiritual insights lie beyond the power of human imagination to describe or depict; the visual arts can allude to them only obliquely, through omission on the use of non-iconic figures. This discrepancy between the practical, ritual functions of the work of art and concepts of ultimate sanctity, Seckel suggests, has affected Buddhist arts throughout Asia, particularly those of the Meditation School (Chan, or Zen) in China and Japan. " - From the Introduction

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WOLFHOUND BOOKS is a small online bookstore located in the wild and beautiful West Kootenays of British Columbia, Canada. It is operated by the sole proprietor, Glenn Anderson and named after the late 'Sophie' his part-Irish Wolfhound dog. Wolfhound Books evolved from the selling of used books at local farmer's markets for many years, mostly at the Cottonwood Farmer's Market in Nelson, BC. Here Glenn developed a reputation as a purveyor of interesting and quality used books. An early online presence at ABEbooks under the auspices of 'Caribou Books' occurred from about 2003 until 2008. Wolfhound Books is characterized by the eclectic finds from many years of book hunting. Themes generally reflect the interests of the owner such as Metaphysical books, Eastern religions, Politics, History, Nature, and a broad range of other academic interests. Different flavours are periodically stirred in as new collections are added. One notable and large acquisition features much and sometimes obscure Canadian poetry and fiction.

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