Search Results (5)

This article explores the concept of mindful solitude as both an antidote and antonym to loneliness, integrating Buddhist doctrinal insights with contemporary psychological research. While solitude is often conflated with isolation or loneliness, we argue that when chosen intentionally and cultivated mindfully, it becomes a space of healing, insight, and relational depth. Drawing from classical Buddhist texts, historical exemplars such as Shakyamuni and Milarepa, and modern scholarship, we trace the evolution of solitude within Buddhist traditions, highlighting its role in ethical transformation and meditative insight. We contrast this with secular mindfulness programs, noting their therapeutic benefits while acknowledging their divergence from traditional Buddhist ethics and soteriology. Through interdisciplinary analysis, we propose a framework in which mindfulness mediates the experience of solitude, fostering autonomy, inner-directedness, and meaningful solitary activities. This reframing positions solitude not as absence but as presence: an intentional engagement with the self that enhances emotional regulation and social connectedness. In an age marked by hyperconnectivity and rising loneliness, mindful solitude offers a counter-narrative: a spiritually and psychologically enriching state that supports wellbeing and compassionate re-engagement. By bridging Buddhist contemplative traditions with empirical psychological findings, this article affirms solitude as a vital condition for both personal and collective healing. Full article

The restoration of gold leaf on sandstone sculptures requires structural stability, aesthetic considerations, and compliance with the principles of cultural heritage preservation. A primary issue is achieving visual and material compatibility between newly restored and original areas. Based on the “Diagnosis–Analysis–Selection–Restoration” methodology, the research team developed a targeted restoration approach for gilded stone sculptures, using the Shakyamuni sculpture at Erfo Temple in Chongqing as a case study. Assessment of the current situation revealed that over 70% of the sculpture’s surface exhibited gold leaf delamination. The composition and structure of the gold-sizing lacquer, lacquer plaster filler, ground layers, and pigments were investigated using SEM-EDS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and THM-Py-GC/MS techniques. The results confirmed that the sculpture featured a typical multilayer gilding structure with clear evidence of historical restorations. Considering both material performance and interfacial compatibility, an NHL2/SiO₂/SF016 composite emulsion and traditional lacquer plaster were selected as the optimal materials for reattachment and infill, respectively. A scientific restoration protocol was developed, encompassing gentle cleaning, targeted reattachment and reinforcement, and region-specific repair methods. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate the influence of temperature and humidity on the curing behavior of lacquer layers. Additionally, a non-invasive gold leaf color-matching technique was developed by controlling the surface roughness of the gold-sizing lacquer, effectively avoiding the damage caused by traditional color-matching methods. Full article

The Three Ni Doctrine of Healing the World 三尼醫世說 is a product of the Three Teachings Unity 三教合一 movement during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This doctrine is believed to have been directly transmitted by Confucius (Ch. Zhong Ni 仲尼), Shakyamuni (Ch. Mu Ni 牟尼), and Laozi (Ch. Qing Ni 青尼), which is why it is referred to as the “Three Ni”. After being extensively refined by the Qing dynasty Daoist Min Yide, the doctrine evolved into a complete theoretical system for healing the world. It advocates for the connection between humans and the world through “qi” 氣. By properly regulating the qi within the individual, one can influence the qi of the world, thereby achieving governance of the world through personal inner alchemical cultivation. The doctrine addresses the challenge of reconciling personal cultivation with the salvation of all beings after Daoism’s decline in political influence. It marks a significant breakthrough in the traditional Chinese ideal of “Inner Sage, Outer King” 內聖外王. Furthermore, Min integrated the Three Ni Doctrine with the Celestial Immortality teachings of Jing’ai Mountain Daoism, creating a systematic Daoist orthodoxy known as the “Heart Lineage of the Most High” (Ch. Taishang Xinzong 太上心宗). This initiative highlights the courage of Qing dynasty Daoist elites in reforming themselves to preserve Daoism’s status within the broader context of the Three Teachings Unity movement. Full article

This research delves into the intricacies of the “Buddha Story Stele” in Cave 133 of the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, China, examining the sculptural combinations and conceptual nuances rooted in Buddhist culture from the 5th to the 6th centuries CE. The research focuses on discerning the identities of the “Two Adjacent-Seated Buddhas” and the Cross-Legged Bodhisattva carved on the stele, concurrently delving into the embedded symbolic significance within its structural composition. Our investigation posits that the upper, middle, and lower segments of the “Buddha Story Stele” respectively symbolize the post-Nirvana Dharmakāya Shakyamuni, the Bodhisattva Shakyamuni, and the Buddha Shakyamuni of Sumedha. Advancing scholarly discourse, it reevaluates the Cross-Legged Bodhisattva’s identity and the configuration of the “Two Adjacent-Seated Buddhas”, elucidating the interplay of imagery and conceptual themes. This study provides pivotal insights into the sculptural arrangement and religious thought transmission in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, contributing significant academic and cultural value to preserve this unique heritage. Full article

Since the appearance of Buddha, texts and images depicting his life have circulated across Eurasia, serving as significant mediums for disseminating Buddhist ideology. Japan has historically been influenced by the canon of Chinese Buddhism while concurrently striving to promote the indigenization of Buddhism. This endeavor reached its peak during the Edo period, notably exemplified in the Shaka goichidaiki zue, illustrated by the world-renowned artist Hokusai Katsushika. Originating from Buddhist believers, it presents an adaptation based on the socio-historical context of pre-modern Japan, particularly manifesting evident shifts in emphasizing royal authority, the salvation of females, and ethical relationships. Entering the Meiji era, this pre-modern illustrated manuscript underwent repeated printing, playing an important role in the modernization of Buddhism. Full article