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What counts as knowledge?
How does nature and religion count as knowledge? Well I would say that religion and nature play a crucial role in what counts as knowledge. The historical significance religion has played on earth and how everyday decisions are based on your religion. Everyday one sees nature and finds a new perspective to nature. Most people around the world everyday use religion, in how they act, think, and experience life. At the same time a perspective in nature, in what each object represents. For this Exhibition I have specifically chosen three objects, one being a flower called the Lotus which represents knowledge, which is closely related to Buddhism and also Hinduism and more specifically related to the God Krishna. My second object is Kathopanishad which is one of the four holy books in Hinduism called the Vedas. My final object is the Bhagavad Gita which is a book written by Vyasa, which was written in the 1st-millennium BCE.
The lotus has many different interpretations throughout history, culture, and in religion. For example in history the lotus flower has been stated as a symbol of peace and prosperity. For many around the world, the lotus flower, means something very crucial to them and how it impacts their history. Culturally the lotus flower has an impact on how one acts in society, for example as i mentioned before, the lotus represents peace and prosperity, for example if you're a part of a group which promotes peace, you would like to believe that the lotus is peaceful and is able to provide knowledge. As mentioned before the lotus has a significant influence in Hinduism and Buddhism. For example the lotus represents knowledge and peace in Buddhism, which can be achieved by meditation and working hard. In Hinduism the lotus is closely related to some gods, such as Krishna who is a God of protection, the next god is Surya who is the God of the sun, and finally the goddess Saraswati who is the Goddess of education, creativity ,and music. All of these gods have a significant connection with the lotus flower, and how it shapes how one perceives it.
My second object is the Kathopanishad which is one of the Vedas, which are holy books for hinduism. In Hinduism, there is a concept of 4 reincarnations of the world, which are called yugas. Each yuga had a different interpretation of good and evil, and how knowledge was perceived. In the first yuga which is called Krita, which is where good and evil were in two different worlds. Each world counted knowledge in different ways, such as one being extremely devotional to the gods, and the other being devotional just to gain a power or a gift from the gods. The second yuga is called Treta, where the good and evil are in the same world. In this world the good and evil forces pray to the same gods, but each one has a different intention in their devotion. The cleanser of this world came in an avatar form called Rama, who ended up destroying the evil, which was Ravana who prayed to the gods for power, and stating no god could kill him. The third yuga is Dvapara, which is where good and evil are in the same family. They all studied under the same teacher and gained knowledge in different ways and counted different things as knowledge, but 5 brothers chose good and chose to take a good path to gain knowledge, while the rest went and chose an evil path, and chose to follow a path where they count knowledge for their own physical gain. The fourth yuga is called Kali, where good and evil are in each person and there is conflict in everyone. The way one perceives knowledge depends on what is stronger in a person. If your inner self is possessed by evil, then one will follow and count knowledge in an evil way. On the other hand if one’s inner self is good, then they would gain knowledge in a good way and how they use it in a daily life and it greatly affects friends and family around the world and society.
My final object is the Bhagavad Gita is a story written by Vyasa during the 1st-millennium BCE. During the book the god Krishna was telling the story of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, who is the cousin of Krishna, but isn’t a god. Krishna was telling the story to Arjuna because he was trying to explain a proper way to win the war and how to properly fight without being harsh to people. Krishna gave the option to Arjuna and Duryodhana, to help each side in the war so each side doesn’t feel like it has a disadvantage. Krishna gave the option to choose between himself and his army of immortal soldiers, and Duryodhana chose the army, leaving Arjuna to have Krishna on his side. Krishna didn’t mention that each side will have a limitation. For his immortal army, they are able to be defeated by the 5 brothers only, and Krishna will not battle, but will guide them to victory. Due to these limitations they fought will, and fairly. Each side used different tactics or knowledge to gain an advantage on each side. The use of these knowledge and tactics helped them create new battle formations, which would count as knowledge in the history books, and in culture, and in religion.
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