On Wednesday, April 28^th, Professor Andy Rotman of Smith’s Department of Religion and an expert on Buddhism will speak in the auditorium of the Rubin Museum, 150 West 17^th Street (7^th Avenue).  The title of his talk is Liberation through Images:  Seeing the Buddha in Indian Art and Architecture.  Wine and Middle Eastern/South Asian appetizers will be served from 6 – 7 pm; Professor Rotman will speak for approximately 50 minutes starting at 7 pm and a short Q & A session will follow.  Following is a brief description of Professor Rotman’s talk:

In the early centuries of the Common Era in India, Buddhists suddenly began to make iconic images of the Buddha in sculpture and painting and to write texts extolling the value of seeing the Buddha.  But why?  Before this time, the Buddha was represented by images of bodhi trees and dharma wheels, and numerous texts featured the Buddha dismissing the importance of seeing him or gazing at his images.  “Whoever sees the dharma, sees me” he is found to say, suggesting that it is sufficient to know the Buddha through his teachings rather than through his sight.  What developed, in text and in art, was a system by which one could see the Buddha, gain faith and achieve promise of great rewards in lifetimes to come.  In his talk, Professor Rotman will explain this system and the mechanics by which the Buddha can be seen and heaven can be found.

Date: April 28th

Time: 6:30

Location: Rubin Museum of Art, 150 West 17th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues, closer to 7th)

Cost: $20 for contributing members          $35 for non-members