The Formal Characteristics And Aesthetic Connotations Of Tibetan Buddhist Instruments

As one of three Chinese Buddhism systems, Tibetan Buddhism has a strong regional characteristics and ethnic features. Tibetan Buddhism instruments take an important part in Tibetan Buddhism as well as are integral media and tools to spread Buddhist culture. Being human material and spiritual products, they not only are practical tools, but also have high-grade artistic value.This paper takes Tibetan Buddhism instruments as the main study object. Through field research and interviews of Tibetan Buddhism temples in Inner Mongolian region, the paper applies historical documents, case study and other research methods of cultural anthropology, combining with relative aesthetic theory and art design so as to make a more in-depth research and explanation of formal characteristics and aesthetic connotation of Tibetan Buddhism instruments. It studies Tibetan Buddhism instruments from three main aspects. First of all, it expounds the historical causes, types and using specifications of Tibetan Buddhism instruments to explore the instruments changes and extension of cultural information in Buddhism dissemination. Secondly, it makes a further analysis and conclusion of the instruments formal characteristics showed in modeling, materials, decoration, color, etc. Finally, taking some representative instruments as a case, it explains their distinct aesthetic connotation through demonstrating various forms of the instruments and analyzing people’s visual and tactile feelings. It is concluded that Tibetan Buddhism instruments used in various environments and occasions not only publicize Buddhism culture by the symbolism of the instruments themselves, but also as a kind of art works they transfer and demonstrate their aesthetic value reflected on the humane spirit and their unique artistic charm contained in the instruments.