Dances with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: Understanding Apsaras in the Buddhist Arts
在佛光山佛陀紀念館，有一條長達254米的風雨走廊，上面有迷人的浮雕。浮雕上的飛天為其增色不少同時也增添了整體的美感。讓我們深入探討這些飛天的來源和象徵意義。
最初，飛天與古印度的雲和水相關。隨著時間的推移，在神話中他們演變成以天樂和舞蹈宴饗天神的「仙子」或「精靈」。飛天隨著佛教的傳播從印度傳入中國。隨著佛教在中國的普及，飛天與道教的神祇融合，「飛天」這一令人遐思的名稱就此誕生。
佛館的玉佛殿是最神聖與慈悲的地方。中央的玉佛像，其上供奉佛牙舍利的水晶舍利塔，矗立在經變圖之間。右側經變圖，生動展現了藥師佛東方凈土的寧靜之美。藥師佛，伴隨著天神及弟子。隨著 天籟和繽紛花雨中，飛天在空中優美舞蹈，展現出天堂般的場景。
在佛國世界中，飛天們舞姿曼妙，傾身向佛陀和菩薩獻上芬芳的花朵。隨著他們的偈頌和吟詠，塵世融入到一個莊嚴而圓滿的氛圍中。
In the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, a 254-meter covered walkway has a lining of captivating bas-reliefs. Notably, Apsara figures grace these basreliefs, adding charm and overall beauty. Let's explore the origins and significance of these Apsaras.
Apsaras originally had to do with clouds and water in ancient Indian traditions. As time passed, they turned into these fabulous "fairies" or "nymphs" in myths to entertain deities with music and dancing. As Buddhism became more popular in China, the Apsara became intertwined with Taoist figures, resulting in the creation of the fascinating term: "Feitian."
The Jade Buddha Shrine at the Buddha Museum is a place imbued with the greatest sacredness andcompassion. The central Reclining Buddha statue, accompanied by a crystal reliquary housing the Buddha’s tooth relic, stands amidst Sutra Illustrations. To the right, the serene beauty of the Eastern Pure Land of Medicine Buddha is vividly portrayed. Here, Medicine Buddha is surrounded by celestial beings and disciples. Apsaras gracefully dance in mid-air, along with heavenly music and flower petal shower, to create a heavenly scene.
Within this Buddhist realm, Apsaras perform graceful dances and offer fragrant flowers to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Their hymning and chanting channel the earthly world into a sphere of sacredness and wholeness.
