Buddhist Aesthetics

Abstract

Even though the main teachings of Buddhism are ‘impermanence’, ‘suffering’ and ‘no soul’, there is intensive thinking about a concept of beauty, and also there is a well-developed aesthetic idea about nature and the concept of beauty even in context of each individual art. In early Buddhism, the aesthetic idea was found in the attitude of monks and nuns towards surrounding nature, as we can see from the verses called Theragāthās and Therīgāthās. In Buddhism nature and beauty of nature were accepted as aids to spiritual effort rather than hindrances to it. The Buddha may have taught the doctrine of suffering; but His teachings have inspired a great art of the world. According to Buddhism, the mind, in itself, is clear and luminous, but it is defiled by the external factors. Similarly, beauty by itself is pure; it is only the attachment to some of its aspect, especially the sensual aspect, that make it a hindrance to spiritual growth. If the mind is properly attuned to beauty, it can then benefit from its appreciation.