AP Art History: South and Southeast Asia
function of Borobudur Temple
-Act as a axis-mundi -Axis-mundi: a physical place/axis where the heavens and earth meet -There is one protrusion that marks the axis-mundi where the heavens can connect to the earth -Site commemorates and honors buddha -Pilgrimage location- when they arrive they walk around the temple clockwise along the open aired passageways -Symbolism based on the pathway that the pilgrims take -Your path takes you upwards closer to the heavens and divine circular motion parallels the cycle of the heavens with the sun and moon connecting you to a greater cosmic order -Sculpture tells us about buddha's own path to enlightenment which tells us that we can do the same and now we know what path we must take -The physical idea of a journey upwards symbolizes the path towards enlightenment- it is a journey and moves us upwards towards the divine
function of Angkor, the Temple of Angkor Wat, and the city of Angkor Thom
-Angkor functions: --Angkor Thom: civic center ---a. religious, social, administrative --Angkor wat: temple ---a. originally Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu ---b. later appropriated into Buddhist temple --3. Ruler's cosmic connections ---a. mirrors constellation Draco ---b. oriented on N/S axis ---c. Facing four cardinal directions ---d. five towers= mythical mountain homes of Hindu gods ---e. moats=cosmic, primordial ocean ---f. Axis mundi- physical place where heaven and earth are connected- to the center of Angkor Wat --4. Political propaganda ---a. likeness between Suryavarman II and Hindu kings of India ---b. legitimize rule by building homes for gods (temples) ---c. Alter landscape- deserve to have power over men --5. Mausoleum for Suryavarman II- buried inside Angkor Wat
context of Angkor, the Temple of Angkor Wat, and the city of Angkor Thom
-Angkor wat is the greatest religious construction in all of se Asia -There are no text inscriptions made during its time period -Had to rely on other sources to provide info to us -Early 12th : Hindu temple to Vishnu Built by King Suryavarman II Angkor dynasty in Khmer kingdom -This Hindu temple is unusual for there to be a Hindu kingdom out of India -Using this temple to show an association between his dynasty and the great Hindu kings of Cambodia -Late 12th c: Buddhist temple changed by king Jayavarman VII Angkor dynasty in Khmer kingdom -The temple had been converted form a temple to Vishnu to a Buddhist temple to buddha -Buddhist emerges from Hinduism so many similarities between the two -Jayavarman was very devout and did his best to convert all of the Khmer to Buddhism
function of Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha)
-Bamiyan was a caravanserai- roadside inn and towns for traders to stop and rest -There was a large amount of Buddhist traders that stayed in Bamiyan -There was a number of Buddhist monks who stayed in Bamiyan -To provide a religious experience for all the Buddhist traders that came into Bamiyan, the monks developed the artwork that is seen today -As a result the town was not just a caravanserai but also became an important site of pilgrimage for the traders on the silk road because Buddhist traders could pray and meet with the monks and go to the sculptures of buddha -The sculptures of buddha became forms of devotion- ways for Buddhists to pray, meditate, and gather their thoughts and think upon their Buddhist practices and ideas
form of Borobudur Temple
-Basic structure resembles that of a stepped pyramid -You can get up to the top of the structure by using a bent corridor access -There are a series of open air passageways that slowly create ramps that wind you upwards -As you walk along the open aired passageways there are carved sculptures
form of Lakshmana Temple
-Carvings are high relief -Horror vacui: fear of emptiness- every inch has been designed -The bodies of the figures are not classical ideal -Bodies are not emphasized on musculature -Traditional Indian ideal- curvy, soft, rounded, emphasis on breasts and buttocks
subimage B of Angkor Wat: churning of the ocean of milk at the temple of angkor wat
-Churning of the ocean of milk -About a 160 ft low relief carving running down the entire length of the hallway -Story about creation of the universe in the beginning of time -Good triumphs over evil- gods triumph over demons -Gods and demons are evenly matched- neither group is able to claim power or order over the other -Both gods and demons realized they needed to get the elixir to life- and the key of immortality to win -Each side tried to struggle to find the elixir of life -Elixir of life is buried under the ocean of milk under a serpent Naga -Milk life giving power- -In this ocean of milk is Naga- the elixir of life is under him -To get the elixir of life the gods and demons realize they have to go down to the ocean and have to work together to get the serpent to float up to get the elixir -They play tug of war which churns the ocean to release the elixir -On the left there are the demons, and on the right the gods are there and are shaking naga to get the elixir -Gods drop the serpent and drink the elixir so they have immortality and can defeat the demons -One larger figure in the middle- god Vishnu- face of Vishnu is supposed to be portrait of Suryavarman II- Hindu king began construction on this site
function of Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
-Cult statue dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva -Cult statues was carried in a processional parade -Priests would carry It and they would chant prayers and bestow blessings and people would gather to watch the cult statue be carried -This is a big deal because in Hinduism statues are literally the embodiment of the divine -This cult statue would have been placed in a temple -When any worshipper comes to this statue to pray their prayer activates shiva- shiva is present
subimage A of Angkor Wat: south gate of angkor thom
-Entering through the city center -Arrangement of figures on the left and the right- 54 sculptures of god on the left and 54 sculptures of demons on the right -54 +54 =108- cosmic and important number in Hinduism -Faces of the 2 sides vary- cods are beautiful and idealized and have a gentle smile--- demons are looking mean -Figures are sitting one behind one another- curvature that runs along down the inner side of the figurines -The remnants of a giant snake that each side would have held in a tug of war -At the back we see huge gate and tower and has 4 faces carved on it and faced in the 4 cardinal directions -Sculpture in the round and high relief
form of Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
-Flaming nimbus- not only is it symbolic and showing us fire and the circle of a symbol of constancy, the nimbus highlights and surrounds the main body of the figure- way of visually highlighting the figure for us and indicating their importance -Shiva's body is highly stylized- multiple arms, snake hair, thin and angular- linework of body -Made out of cast bronze and would have been poured into a cast bronze mold -Once it was poured in and cast bronze cooled, could be cracked out of the case and there is the sculpture in the round
context of Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha)
-Gandharan: culture that emerged in modern-day Afghanistan along the Silk Road (blend of Greek, Buddhism, and Indian) -Because this culture was along the silk road we see the influence of Buddhism arriving and staying and being adapted in this culture in Afghanistan -Caravanserai: roadside inns and towns along trade routes that were sites of cultural diffusion -Bamiyan was an important caravanserai -Became a place of cultural diffusion -Buddhism spreads easily through caravanserai -Mahayana Buddhism -Comes from china and through the silk road spreads westward -Buddhism is not location specific, focuses on an afterlife and has nothing to do with class -Buddhism can be worshiped anywhere and spreads easily and quickly among traders -In Mahayana Buddhism they believed in a version of Buddha where he is the incarnation of all of the wisdom in the world -to illustrate that buddha has to be larger than life- the size of buddha is an illustration of how much wisdom and truth Buddha knows -In March 2001 the Taliban dynamited and destroyed the monumental statues of Buddha, due to the belief that these were false idols that went against Islam's strict aniconic rules of representation and religious practice
context of Great Stupa at Sanchi
-History of Stupas and the Great Stupa: --Originally, stupas were used as Hindu funerary monuments for teachers/ philosophers --6th c. BCE: when Buddha died, his ashes were split up and placed into 8 stupas- because there were 8 kings across India that they had a right to Buddha's ashes --3rd c. BCE: Ashoka, the Mauryan king, converted to Buddhism- appropriation --He disinterred Buddha's remains from the original 8 stupas- --He distributed Buddha's ashes to his new stupas built all across the empire- Great Stupa was largest, and most elaborate --2nd c. BCE: the Sunga dynasty in India enlarged Ashoka's Great Stupa and added the torans (gates)
context of Jowo Rinpoche
-How does the Jowo Rinpoche come to Tibet? --According to tradition, the Jowo Rinpoche is made in china- then somehow arrives in Tibet -King Gampo of Tibet: going to be a Buddhist king of Tibet- going to marry Princess Wencheng of Tang China -In 641 CE, princess Wencheng journeys to Tibet with the Jowo Rinpoche as part of her dowry -On her way into Tibet her wagon gets stuck in the mud, and no matter what they do the horses wont move and the wagons don't come out of the mud- interpreted as Buddha saying that he wants to stay on this spot and wants to have a temple built to him there -That is the spot they are beginning to build a temple -Every day the workers would go to the site and would start to build the building and the go home and then all of the stones are knocked down- rebuild, stones are knocked down again -King Gampo gets fed up and he asks for some oracle to come to the site and try to figure out what is going on -The oracle tells him that there is an ancient demon giantess living under the ground right on the spot where Buddha stopped the horses -Every day when they began construction the giantess would wake up because she feels the pressure on her body and every night punch the stones -Point of the story is that Buddhism is supreme when compared to the other pagan forms of ancient religion -The old religions are done and Buddhism is going to triumph -They decided to stop this- so the built the main temple on her heart to weigh her down and kill her, and they build 10 smaller surrounding temples on her arms and legs to pin her down
subimage B of Borobudur Temple: detail from the top level of borobudur temple
-In addition to sculptures of buddha there are 72 bell shaped designs -Highly stylized stupas- mound shapes with a axis coming out of the top -Sculptures in the round of buddha- -Represented in a plain way- has top knot of hair to symbolize his crown -See third eye and extended earlobes -Sitting in the lotus position- meditation -Illustrated in the posture of preaching- our journey from the bottom to the top is a way for buddha to preach to us what we need to do for enlightenment
content of Jowo Rinpoche
-Jowo Rinpoche- Jowo: lord; Rinpoche: precious one- person is spiritually powerful -Looking at Buddha -We are looking at Buddha at age 12- still see traditional elements- Urna (red dot on the forehead of Buddha- third eye all knowing all seeing quality); long earlobes, indicative of princely status -Facial expression- face seems focused- seeing him in meditation, looking very calm -Is sitting in the lotus position- seated cross legged
content of Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha)
-Largest monumental statue: -The Vairocana buddha --Vairocana: Universal Buddha in Mahayana Buddhism, encompasses all knowledge, (depicted as larger than life-size) -Buddha would have been standing with his hair in a top bun, has long extended earlobes which is a sign that he used to be a prince, he has an Erna or the single dot that represents a third eye on his forehead -Buddha is standing with his eyes closed in meditation
function of Jowo Rinpoche
-Looking at the holiest object in Tibet -Holy because: --1. was made in Buddha's lifetime (believed to be true) --2. an actual real portrait of Buddha from when he was 12- the artist was sitting across of buddha when he was 12 -If this is depicting buddha, then this is buddha on earth -Buddha is embedded into that sculpture -If this is the case it becomes an important pilgrimage location -Tibetans must take a pilgrimage here if they are able to in their life --1. if you visit the Jowo Rinpoche you are freed from fear and suffering --2. this sculpture can grant you wishes --3. it will quicken your path to enlightenment -Pilgrimage path: --Circumambulate the temple- walk around it- the more you walk around it the greater the spiritual energy -When we start to go inside- you want to be as low to the ground as possible out of respect- people are crawling on their hands and knees or on their stomachs -Common to be humming or singing prayers while doing this -Temples they are moving through are dark- only one source of light and it is coming from the room where the Jowo Rinpoche is -Once you get to the room it is customary to give the Jowo Rinpoche a gift and offering -Everything besides buddha's actual body is offerings from pilgrims throughout the years -Artwork is changing over time- because of the offerings people are giving to it
form of Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha)
-Main body of buddha- stone is in-situ (on site), and also called living rock because the stone that was carved in is still part of the cliffside from where the rock was geologically formed -There would have been details added to buddhas body -They would have been added using a mixture of mud and straw that would have helped to make his eyes and nose and the details of his outfits and hands -Buddha is standing within a niche like shape -Acted as a mandorla to emphasize Buddha -The niche also added as protection from the elements -appropriation of Greek and art forms: --East Asian; the grand size of the body (characteristic of Mahayana Buddhism)- and the facial features illustrates a figure that comes from east Asia --Greek: details of the fabric- drapery and the folds of the fabric- tells that the artist had seen Asian and Greek art
content of Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
-Nataraja: Nata- dancer or performance, raja- prince/lord -Shiva is standing encircled by a flaming nimbus -Nimbus: a circle or oval shape surrounding a religious figure, representing spiritual light or glory (flaming: never ending cycle of creation/destruction) -Shiva has flying locks of hair- hair is comprised of snakes- cobra head -Shiva has 4 hands- because we cant stop him- -Each hand is positioned in a significant way: --Upper right: holds a drum (constant passage of time) --Lower right: palm out with fingers up (do not be afraid) --Upper left: holds flame (destruction) --Lower left: stretches diagonally across the chest with palm out and fingers down (spiritual fulfilment through meditation) -Shiva has a third eye between his 2 eyes- shiva is all knowing and all seeing- sees point and purpose of all the destruction -Shiva is dancing- common way of showing change -Shiva stands with 1 foot on a small baby called the demon of ignorance -Shiva is destroying the demon of ignorance -Only the foolish or ignorant will think that change will stop, that is why the demon of ignorance looks like a child change is a reality -Throughout all the chaos, shiva stands completely centered with his face completely tranquil- he is in control of this process and in the midst of chaos and change it is possible to find peace and fulfilment
subimage c of Angkor wat: jayavarman vii as buddha
-Not made from single pieces of stone- multiple pieces of stone combined in one large portrait -Site was appropriated from Hindu to Buddhism -Under leadership of Jayavarman VII -Has to clearly and visibly add Buddhist art to the complex -Portraits of buddha all over temple complex -Jayavarman VII wanted his own portrait to be the portrait of buddha- he is dressed in manner of buddha -Jayavarman VII is shown as deep in meditation, calm, thoughtful, detached from things, with a gentle smile on his face -This is buddha and also their king -Jayavarman VII is so much like buddha hand has same qualities of the religious figure you are honoring -Religious and political propaganda
content of Borobudur Temple
-Overall shape symbolizes a mandala -Mandala: diagram of the cosmos popular in south, southeast and east Asia -Three levels for the narrative design (lowest to highest) --1. the world of desire/greed= human life --2. the journey to learning how to control your negative actions and thoughts=journey to enlightenment --3. the state of peace and calm= nirvana
subimage c of Lakshmana Temple: Lakshmana temple plan
-Panchayatana plan: main temple with four surrounding shrines -Main temple in the middle and 4 smaller surrounding temples on the 4 corners -A lot of Indian temples use this structure -Up the staircase and through the entrance and there is a mini Hypostyle hall -Then there is an Embryo room -Embryo Room- (central most room in a Hindu shrine) features the cult statue -It is a small room inside with the cult statue -Cult statue of Vishnu -The pathway around the embryo room is the Ambulatory- leads into the side chapel -The Embryo room has a corbelled arch ceiling --Corbelled arch: constructed by offsetting successive courses of stone so that they project towards the archway's center from each supporting side, until the courses meet at the apex of the archway -One stone overhangs over the stone below it -Whole site constructed with ashlar masonry -Ashlar masonry (carefully cut and grooved stones that support a building without the use of mortar) -The building is held together just by the weight of each stone sitting upon each other
subimage A of Borobudur Temple: queen maya riding a horse carriage retreating to lumbini to give birth to prince siddhartha Guatama
-Prince Siddhartha Gautama is Buddha- Buddha's mother on the carriage going to a special palace to give birth -Buddha was once a prince and did not have any real concept about what human life was like -Scene located at the bottom
context of Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
-Reveals to us one of the main Hindu deities Shiva -Shiva is the destroyer, change -Shiva is not evil, but illustrates to us the constancy of change- the reality that all things must end and that there must be destruction so there is new life -Chola dynasty in Tamil Nadu had a golden age around this time- the Chola dynasty was known for their expertise with their metal work, especially bronze
context of Borobudur Temple
-Sailendra Dynasty: produced this on the island of Java- part of Indonesia -Made during a cultural renaissance when the Sailendra Dynasty was known for their beautiful architecture and elaborate sculpture -Buddhist dynasty in Indian ocean and they were major and wealthy empire that based themselves on maritime trade -Actively promoting Buddhism -100 years after construction of temple it was fallen into disuse- not understood why -When it was discovered in the 19th century the jungle had overtaken the jungle
subimage A of Great Stupa at Sanchi: interior detail at great stupa at sanchi
-Standing in an ambulatory -In the ambulatory viewers would find many sculpted images of Buddha -Image of buddha that is depicted is very traditional and standard image of buddha -Ushnisha: top-knot on the top of Buddha's head (symbolizes a humble crown)- Budda used to be an actual prince and was royalty -Long earlobes indicate his previous status of prince -Urna: red dot on the forehead of Buddha -Lotus position indicates meditation and peace
function of Great Stupa at Sanchi
-Stupa functions: --1. Reliquaries for ashes ---a. originally for Hindu teachers/ philosophers ---b. then used for Buddhas remains --2. Axis-mundi: a place where the heavens physically connects to the earth ---a. it is powerful to be in proximity to an axis- mundi --3. Religious propaganda for Ashoka ---a. Show his devotion to Buddhism ---b. Inspire Buddhism across his empire --4. Site of pilgrimage- result of number 1- ashes have religious power ---a. gain positive energy ---b. gain karmic benefits ---c . learn the path to enlightenment -A Pilgrim's Journey (Circumambulation) at the Great Stupa --1. East Gate- enter here (because that is where the sun rises), and walk clockwise; symbolizes Buddha's birth --2. South Gate- keep moving clockwise; symbolizes Buddha's enlightenment --3. West Gate- keep moving clockwise; symbolizes Buddha's first sermon --4. North Gate- Can exit here OR keep moving clockwise (the more you walk around it the more karmic benefits you get); symbolizes Buddha's Nirvana
content of Great Stupa at Sanchi
-Stupa symbolism: --1. Buddha in meditation (base= crossed legs; middle= body; small fence on top= head; axis pillar=royal crown) --2. Enlightenment (axis pillar with three disks: three levels of Buddhism- desire, form, formlessness) --3. A mountain (cosmic mountain Mt. Meru, where some of the Buddhist spirits are believed to be born from) --4. The Universe (dome represents the heavens over our world) --5. A wheel (symbol of Buddhism), with the four gates representing the spokes of the wheel
form of Great Stupa at Sanchi
-Stupa: A dome-shaped Buddhist shrine- there is no interior- it is solid, you cannot go into it- difficult to say that this was architecture, more of a structure -Would have originally been painted white- to look like the dome of heaven -There is a fence and there are tall gates- Torana -Torana: gateways around stupas with two upright posts and three horizontal lintels; elaborately carved
subimage A of Lakshmana Temple: lakshmana temple detail
-Tantric: practice that culminates transcendence (in this case though deeply meditative, slow and prolonged sexual activity) -Anything tantric is going to be prolonged and slow -At the end of meditation you are transcending -Tantric sex heightens your experience- you have a joining of male and female- -All Hindu gods are believed to be both male and female -If you are human and you want to approximate the divine, the closest you can come to being divine is to have sex because it is the only way you can join both male and female together -Having sex becomes the highest religious activity you can have -For kings you want to be shown in the sexual postures because that is the greatest expression of the religious quality -In the culture there is no distinction between the secular and religious -In the middle there is a taller figure- Chandella king—and he is having sex with one of his concubines -Woman has right leg wrapped around her body, king is standing in similar position as the girl -There are little people featured in the scenes and animals etc. -Maithuna: depictions of couples engaged in sexual intercourse
function of Lakshmana Temple
-Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu- preserver, continuity, longevity -There are 2 main Hindu gods- Vishnu and Shiva -Hindu temples are believed to be the home of the gods -When people go there they are on holy ground- to be on a temple is to be on holy ground -The cult statue means that Vishnu is present on the site -Circumambulate: walk in a circle -Viewers will walk up and then circumambulate in a clockwise direction around the temple -As people walk around the building people are focusing their thoughts -The building reveals to us the piety of the Chandella king -Chandella kings are religious and devout -By the kings being in the sexual position it was a way of showing Vishnu you are honoring him -Theme of the building is preservation -Continuity of life
content of Lakshmana Temple
-The outside of the temple depicts the mythical mountains from which the gods are born -There are lions- royal symbols of the Chandella kings -The lion is depicted across the temple complex
form of Jowo Rinpoche
-The sculpture of buddha was originally simple and not adorned- just the body of buddha -Body was gilded- covered in gold or silver- in this case gold
subimage B of Lakshmana Temple: lakshmana temple detail
-There are lions- royal symbols of the Chandella kings -The lion is depicted across the temple complex
subimage B of Great Stupa at Sanchi: North Gate
-Torana: gateways around stupas with two upright posts and three horizontal lintels; elaborately carved -Combo of low and high relief, and some sculptures in the round -These are dense sculptures -See symbols of Buddhism on the gates --1. the spinning wheel shape --2. there are many elephants- symbol of buddha- the strength and gentleness of an elephant -Buddha does not appear- his image is not on any of the toranas -There are some ancient Indian symbols that predate Buddhism used as well --1. yakshi: fertility figures in Hindu/Buddhist art- predate both Hinduism and Buddhism- more of an example of local Indian symbolism that doesn't have much to do with Hinduism and Buddhism
context of Lakshmana Temple
-Vishnu and Shiva are counterparts to each other -You have to have one and the other -Chandella king- art form that they are most known for is the highly sculpted temples -Kings are powerful kings in the North of India
form of Angkor, the Temple of Angkor Wat, and the city of Angkor Thom
-Wat: A Cambodian Buddhist monastery or temple -City center called Angkor Thom -Temple of Angkor wat and city of Angkor Thom -Site had about 300,000 workers including sculptures, stone masons, and architects and designers -Sight was never finished because each king tried to add something to it -All surfaces of every section of the site decorated with some kind of art -Angkor Thom- city's civic center -Angkor wat is the temple complex -Combo of a civic center is similar to the Athenian agora and acropolis acting as the main religious center of the state
Shiva
Hindu god of destruction -Lakshma temple -Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
Vishnu
Hindu god of preservation -Angkor, the Temple of Angkor Wat, and the city of Angkor Thom -Lakshmana Temple
Panchayatana
Hindu temple where the main shrine is surrounded by four smaller shrines -Lakshmana Temple
Wat
a Buddhist monastery or temple in Cambodia -Angkor, the Temple of Angkor Wat, and the city of Angkor Thom
Nimbus
a circle or oval shape surrounding a religious figure, representing spiritual light or glory -Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
Stupa
a dome-shaped Buddhist shrine -Great Stupa at Sanchi -Borobudur Temple
Torana
a gateway near a stupa that has two upright posts and three horizontal lintels; they are usually elaborately carved -Great Stupa at Sanchi
Angkor, the Temple of Angkor Wat, and the city of Angkor Thom
artist: culture: Cambodian (Angkor Dynasty) medium: Stone masonry, sandstone date: 800-1400 CE location: Angkor Thom, Cambodia size: Covers 500 acres style: Hindu, then Buddhist learning objective: Hindu/Buddhist temple themes: architecture, place of worship, appropriation, Deities, politics, power, rulers, propaganda, man vs. nature, funerary, good vs. evil, religion
Lakshmana Temple
artist: culture: Indian (Chandella Dynasty) medium: Sandstone date: 930-950 CE location: Khajuraho, India size: 85' tall style: Hindu learning objective: Hindu temple themes: place of worship, sexuality, Deities, male/female relationships, architecture, rulers, power, religion
Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
artist: culture: Indian (Chola Dynasty) medium: Cast bronze date: 11th c. CE location: Tamil Nadu size: 27" style: Hindu learning objective: Hindu sculpture themes: Deities, stylized bodies, religion, passage of time, ceremony, devotional object
Great Stupa at Sanchi
artist: culture: Indian (Mauryan Dynasty; late Sunga Dynasty) medium: Stone masonry, sandstone dome date: 300 BCE- 100 CE location: Madhya Pradesh, India size: 118' diameter; 55' high style: Buddhist learning objective: Buddhist Stupa themes: reliquary, pilgrimage, appropriation, passage of time, funerary religion, propaganda
Jowo Rinpoche
artist: culture: Tibetan (Yarlung Dynasty) medium: Gilt metals with semiprecious stones, pearls and paint; various offerings date: Believed to have been brought to Tibet in 614 CE location: Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet size: 5' style: Buddhist learning objective: Buddhism in Tibet themes: pilgrimage, place of worship, offerings, portrait, devotional object, religion, site-specific
Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha)
artist: culture: Gandharan medium: Cut rock, plaster, polychrome pain date: 400-800 CE (destroyed 2001) location: Bamiyan, Afghanistan size: 150' style: Buddhist learning objective: Buddhism in Middle East themes: pilgrimage, place of worship, devotional object, site-specific, cross-cultural, Deities
Borobudur Temple
artist: culture: Indonesian (Sailendra Dynasty) medium: Volcanic-stone masonry date: 750-824 CE location: Central Java, Indonesia size: 115' tall style: Buddhist learning objective: Buddhism in Indonesia themes: Place of worship, pilgrimage, architecture, religion, passage of time
Axis-mundi
axis that connects heaven and earth -Great Stupa at Sanchi -Borobudur Temple
Ashlar masonry
carefully cut and grooved stones that support a building without the use of concrete or other kinds of masonry -Lakshmana Temple
Corbelled arch
constructed by offsetting successive courses of stone (or brick) so that they project towards the archway's center from each supporting side, until the courses meet at the apex of the archway -Lakshmana Temple
Maithuna
depictions of couples explicitly engaged in sexual intercourse -Lakshma Temple
Gandharan
diverse culture that emerged in Afghanistan, influenced by Alexander the Great's Greek empire and Buddhism from the Silk Roads and Indian kingdoms -Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha)
Yakshi
female and male fertility figures in Buddhist and Hindu art -Great Stupa at Sanchi
Buddha
founder of Buddhism; multiple forms; has achieved full enlightenment -Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha) -Jowo Rinpoche
Urna
red dot on the forehead of Buddhist figures -Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha) -Jowo Rinpoche -Great Stupa at Sanchi
Tantric
referring to transcendence; often used to describe deeply meditative and intimate sexual activity -Lakshmana Temple
Caravanserai
roadside inns and towns along trade routes; often sites of cultural diffusion and exchange -Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha)
Embryo room
the central most room in an Hindu shrine; this room houses the deity's statue and is believed to the deity's dwelling place; typically, very small -Lakshmana Temple
Vairocana
the universal Buddha, a source of enlightenment -Buddha (Bamiyan Buddha)
Ushnisha
top-knot on the top of Buddha's head (references a humble crown) -Great Stupa at Sanchi
