Sacred Art East and West: Its Principles and Its Methods (Library of Perennial Philosophy) Book

Wide in scope, covering Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, and Taoist art, this work--unlike other books in its field--can help readers accomplish in themselves the very goals of sacred art (i.e. spiritual transfiguration). Every sacred art is deeply rooted in the religion in which it originates. This, however, does not imply that everything that could be called "religious art" is in fact sacred art (identifiable as such by its style and methods rather than by its models). Style and method are above all the vehicles of tradition, and tradition originates in the "revelation" which gave birth to each great civilization. Traditional form and methods are often regarded nowadays as inimical to freedom, hindrances to progress. Burckhardt maintains that, on the contrary, their function is to keep open the door to the only true freedom--the freedom of the spirit from its earthly bonds. Without them, the soul might be abandoned to whatever influences might be able to take possession of it, however sinister their origins. In his final chapter, Burckhardt outlines his hopes for a revival of sacred art in its Christian form, and the conditions indispensable thereto.Read More