ARCH 249 Exam 3 (Architecture of Ancient India and SE Asia)

Mandala

A geometric design that represents a plan (map) of the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism Repeating geometric patterns Orientation Axiality Symmetry Symbols derived from: nature, history, philosophy, religious concepts and beliefs Central square represents Mount Mehru

Hinduism

A system of diverse beliefs and traditions in which the prominent themes include: Dharma (law; ethics and duties) Samsara (rebirth) Karma (right action) Moksha (liberation from the cycle of Samsara) Polytheistic Fundemental Deities: Brahma (creator) Vishnu (preserver) Shiva (destroyer)

What are the three major religious traditions of ancient India? What do they have in common?

1. Buddhism 2. Hinduism 3. Jainism Transmigration of the soul (living souls pass through an endless cycle of rebirth and suffering) Reincarnation

Bodhisattva

An ordinary person who takes up a course in his or her life that moves in the direction of Buddha Person who has generated a spontaneous wish and compassionate mind to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings

Torana

Arched gateway for ceremonial purposes

Great Stupa at Borobudur

Borobudur, Java, Indonesia 800-850 CE Stupa on top of a pyramidal form, oriented to cardinal directions Four galleries on three rising terraces, 72 smaller stupa shrines, and numerous statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas set in niches Three miles of sculpted friezes showing the life of Buddha

Great Stupa at Sanchi

Sanchi, India 250 BCE-250CE Housed reamins of Buddha (relics) Fence/boundary (Vedika) 4 Gates (Torana) Circumabulation paths "Umbrella" (Chatra) Resembles Bohdi Tree (tree of enlightenment which Siddartha became Buddha) Vertical mast creates axis mundi Architectural form can be understood symbolically as 3D representation of mandala Yakshi (female earth spirit) on East Torana Located next to a Chaitya Hall (Buddhist shrine or prayer hall)

Fogong Pagoda

Shanxi Province, China 1056 Inspired by the stupa, built above relics of the Buddha Built entirely of wood Octagonal plan, five stories Support system is two rings of columns in each floor, but inclined toward the center Eaves and floors supported by pairs of brackets. System of cantilevering forces within structure

Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) Acheived enlightenment when sitting underneath bodhi tree

Harmica

Square railing that crowns the stupa

Stupa

Stupa: Architectural precedents derived from traditional village burial mounds A simple mound of rubble and earth, built over the relics of the Buddha Symbolic Buddhist Cosmology: Design element of the hemisphere shows the cosmological associations of a circle (in plan), 1) the world mountain 2) dome of the heavens 3) Vertical world axis (axis mundi)

What is a "stupa" in Buddhist architecture? What is the evolution and symbolism of the form? How does the architectural form reflect both the physical requirements of prayer and worship and the symbolic requirements of Buddhist ideology and cosmology?

Stupa: monument that indicates relics of the Buddha Derived from traditional burial mounds Symbolism: dome represents the heavens, link between heavens and earth Physical requirements: circumambulation, provide a pathway indicated through verdika Symbolic requirements: 3 jewels (Buddha, law, monastic life) Cosmology: Dome of heavens and axis mundi, linking heavens and earth

Circumabulation

The act of moving around a sacred object or idol

Chakra

The carious focal points in the subtle body Wheel on Ashokan pillars

Mt. Mehru

The center of the universe The center square of a mandala

Axis Mundi

The world center, or connection between heaven and earth Point of connection between sky and earth where the four compass directions meet

Corbelling

To support by means of a corbel or corbels (stones of slight extent)

What are the main architectural elements (using correct terminology) of the Great Stupa at Sanchi?

Torana Harmika Axis Mundi Verdika Chatra Circumambulation paths Multi level

Yakshi

Female earth spirit accepted as a symbol of fertility

Bodhi Tree

Fig tree underneath which buddha attained enlightenment

Pagoda

Function: holds relics of the Buddha Form: A descendant of the stupa. Points in common include function to hold relics of the Buddha and often the possibility of circumambulation. Design precedents: The vertical quality seems to have been inspired by Chinese watchtower design, and had an added benefit of providing a vertical element clearly visible in the landscape.

Chaitya Hall ("Cave Temple") at Karli, India

Karli (Karla), India 100 BCE 45 feet wide-150 feet deep Porch has pair of columns, sculpted and painted decoration Contains front porch, nave, and aisle Interior ceiling decorated with wooden ribs to imitate a barrel vault Stupa with chatra at back

Chaitya Hall

"Cave Temple" Shrine, sanctuary, temple or prayer hall where a stupa is at one end

How is the Chinese pagoda related to the Indian stupa? How is it different?

Common: circumambulation, holds relics of the Buddha, axis mundi Different: combined with watchtower, held actual images instead of Buddha's ashes

What is an Asokan (Ashokan) pillar? Why and where were they erected? How can we understand the symbolism of the decorated capitals?

Decorated capital: lion which symbolizes buddha Placed along pilgrimage routes Wheel (chakra) = wheel of law, law of the universe Lotus blossom = divine purity

Nirvana

Earliest and most common term used to describe the goal of the Buddhist path Ultimate spiritual goal and marks the release from rebirth samsara

Verdica

Enclosing fence, that delimited the path of circumambulation

What is a mandala? How can the plan and elevation of the Stupa at Borobudur be understood symbolically as a mandala?

Map of the universe Circumambulation represents achieving enlightenment Ascension, the top is enlightenment, center of the universe, heaven

Asokan Pillar

Maurya King Ashoka (3rd Century BCE) was first to sponsor monumental Buddhist art and architecture in India Pillars are first forms of Buddhist monumental stone art 30-40 feet tall Placed along pilgrimage routes to sites important to Buddha

Buddhism

Religion that focuses on spiritual development Four Noble Truths 1: Life is suffering 2: Suffering is caused by craving 3: Craving can be overcome 4: The true path to salvation lay in the eightfold path of the right view (middle way between self indulgence and self mortification)

Chatra

Umbrella on top of stupas Represents Bodhi tree 3 jewels: Buddha, law, Monastic life (or Buddha past, present, future)

Vertical axis

Vertical axis like in a stupa

What is a chaitya hall? What are the main architectural elements?

Village memorial Cave temple Stupa inside Barrel vault or imitation through ribbing Imitation of Persian capitals