Journey to Asia Glossary
Amir Hamza. Legendary uncle of the prophet Muhammad.
bodhi tree. The sacred pipal tree under which Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment.
Buddha. Means "an enlightened being." Title of Siddhartha Gautama after his enlightenment.
Buddhism. An Indian reform religion based on the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563-483 BCE), who became known as the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. The religion developed many different forms and sects. Its basic principles are nonviolence, compassion, and good works.
celadon. A type of Chinese and Korean stoneware ceramic that is covered by a glaze containing quantities of iron. When fired in a kiln where oxygen is removed during firing (reduction firing), the glaze turns green. Korean potters incised designs into the glaze and underlying stoneware body and then filled them with light- or dark-colored slip to create "inlaid celadons."
ceramics. Chinese ceramics are classified into three types of ware, depending on the type of clay. Earthenware ceramics are made of a reddish-colored clay that is low fired at about 800 degrees Celsius. Stoneware ceramics generally have either dark gray or brown bodies and are fired at higher temperatures (1,200-1,280 degrees Celsius). Porcelain ceramics, with white, translucent bodies, are fabricated from kaolin clay and petuntse (called Chinastone), and are fired at temperatures exceeding 1,280 degrees Celsius. Porcelain is one of China's artistic contributions to the world, first appearing in the 12th century-about 600 years before the clay was discovered in Europe.
Chinese painting formats. There are two formats of Chinese painting: handscrolls and hanging scrolls. Handscrolls are unrolled from right to left while placed on a table for viewing; they generally are 8 to 12 inches wide and can be long as 20 feet or more. Painting on either paper or silk with water-based inks and colors made from vegetable and mineral pigments, the artist's challenge was to create a continuous composition covering the length of the scroll. Hanging scrolls are hung on a wall (like a window shade) for viewing. When not on display, they are unrolled and placed in wooden boxes for storage. Generally only a few paintings, selected according to the season or for a particular occasion, would be on view in a Chinese home at any one time.
Confucianism. A philosophy that emerged in China during the fifth century BCE, advocating social harmony and rule by enlightened, educated men. Confucius (the Latinized version of Kong fuzi) was born in Shangdong province. An adviser and teacher, he established the philosophy of social harmony through a system of relationships. Children must honor their parents; the younger brother pays respect to the older brother; and everyone venerates the ruler. His ethical concepts were expressed in teachings that were collected by his students into the text The Analects. Confucius believed that rulers and men at the court should be individuals of integrity and intellect, studying history, poetry, and music.
Daoism. Appearing around the fifth century BCE, Daoism is a system of belief centered on a harmonious relationship between man and the natural order. Man (who is just one part of the natural order) should be in communion with the Dao, or spirit. The classic Daoist text is the Daodejing (The Classic of the Way and Its Power), compiled in the third century BCE.
famille rose. A type of porcelain known by its French name, which refers to the pink enamel used to paint decorations. It received two firings. The first was at high enough temperatures to fuse the porcelain clay and glaze; the second was at a lower temperature to fuse the enamel with the glaze.
Genji Monogatari (The Tales of Genji). Written around 1000 AD by Lady Murasaki, a lady at court during the Heian period (794-1185), this was the world's first novel. The story centers on the life and loves of Prince Genji, providing an important description of aristocratic life during a height of Japan's classical culture. Written in native Japanese script rather than the official Chinese language of government, the novel has remained a continuous source of inspiration for Japan's artists.
Harappan culture. The earliest indigenous literate urban culture of India, flourishing from about 2300-1750 BCE. Located along the Indus River, Harappa is one of the major urban centers to be excavated. Artifacts from the site suggest religious concepts and practices that became important later in Hinduism.
Hinduism. India's oldest indigenous religion and today the religion of more than 80 percent of the Indian people. Encompassing a variety of beliefs and practices, it has no common creed, set of dogmas, or accepted canon of texts and deities. The major deities are Shiva, Vishnu, and Devi.
Indo-Aryans. Indo-European-speaking people who settled in India in the first and second millennia BCE.
Ise Monogatari (The Tales of Ise). Predating The Tales of Genji, this text combines narrative with travel poetry. Attributed to a historical poet, Ariwara no Narihira, the text relates the travels of courtiers who leave Kyoto, the capital of Japan. Their loneliness for lovers, families, and friends is often expressed in verses composed during poetry contests, a common pastime for Heian gentlemen at court.
Islam. A religion based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad (570?-632) in Arabia, believing in one God (Allah) and having a body of law put forth in the Koran. Islam became a major political and spiritual force in India after the 13th century.
Mahayogi. Hindu god Shiva as great yogi.
Mara. Lord of Death and Desire, who tried to prevent Siddhartha Gautama's enlightenment.
mudras. Hand gestures used to express moods and specific actions. Common mudras are:
Right hand up, palm toward viewer: protection and reassurance.
Left hand down, palm toward viewer: promise to grant wishes.
Joined thumb and index figure of right hand: teaching.
Seated image with hands in lap, palms facing upward: meditation.
Seated image with right hand touching the ground: Buddha calling the earth goddess to bear witness of his victory over Mara.
Right and left hands touching with joined thumbs and index fingers: Buddha teaching his first sermon.
Mughals. India's most powerful Islamic dynasty (1526-1858), which ruled much of north and central India in the late 16th and 17th centuries.
Muslims. Followers of the Islamic faith.
Shakyamuni. Means "sage of the Shaky Clan." The name given Siddhartha Gautama by his followers.
Shinto. Japan's indigenous religion, which focuses on nature spirits, or kami, that are thought to dwell in all things-mountains, rocks, water, and trees. A calendar of festivals celebrate local deities and bring people together in rituals and festivities that provide a sense of community.
Shiva Nataraja. A major Hindu deity. Shiva as King of Dance, the Cosmic Dancer who performs the dance of creation and destruction.
Siddhartha Gautama. Historical founder of Buddhism, born about 563 BCE.
tea ceremony. Also known as the Way of Tea, or chanoyu. The preparation of tea in a ritual where the host serves guests with prescribed movements is only one aspect of chanoyu. The ceremony celebrates many art forms-architecture, ceramics, calligraphy, and gardens. Originating in Zen temples as an aid to meditation, the ritual creates harmony among the participants so they can fully savor the moment together, as well as the beauty of the tea ceramics, the garden path leading to the hut, and the calligraphy that welcomes guests with an inscription or poem.
Veda. Means "knowledge." The four ancient books-known as the Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda, and Atharva-Veda-record Indo-Aryan beliefs and ritual practices from about 1500-500 BCE.
Zen Buddhism. A sect of Buddhism that originated in China, where it is known as Chan. The sect developed into two schools of practice. The Soto school emphasized long hours of meditation and gradual enlightenment. The Rinzai believed that enlightenment could come suddenly if the mind and consciousness were jolted beyond reason through intense question-and-answer periods between master and disciple. Questions such as "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" had no rational answers and prompted the disciple beyond the realm of reason.