Southeast Asia: Buddhist Art and

Architecture Before 1200

Great Stupa (the Mahastupa), Sanchi. Founded third century BCE, enlarged c. 150–50 BCE. UNESCO video link.

HinduismJainism

BuddhismChristianity

Islam

The Aryas2000-500 BCE

The Vedas(knowledge)

Upanishads(to sit down at the feet of the guru)

Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, disease, decay

Karma is the universal law of cause and effect

Maya is the illusionary nature of the phenomenal world and includes skepticism of the physical world and a desire to find the truth beyond the physical

Nirvana is the possibility of release from samsara

Mokśa is liberation, release from samsara

Siddhārtha Gautama(also known as Śakyamuni referring to the Śakya

(lion)

The Middle Path

The great appeal of Buddhism is its teaching of wisdom, compassion and humility.

Its emphasis on moral and ethical perfection, a democratic outlook and a casteless society also

widened its attraction.

Buddha “Awakened One”

A Buddha is a being that has achieved Enlightenment (the ability to understand the true nature of all

things) and has been released from samsara.

The Bodhi Tree(Bodhi = Enlightenment)

The Four Noble Truths

Life is suffering (suffering = rebirth)The cause of suffering is desire

The cause of desire must be overcomeWhen desire is overcome, there is no more suffering

(rebirth)

First Sermon (Turning the Wheel of the Law),

Pala Dynasty, tenth century.

Enlightenment (Earth Touching gesture), Pala Dynasty,

tenth century

King Ashoka third century BCE

Lumbini (Birth)Bodh Gaya (Enlightenment)

Sarnath (First Sermon)Kusingara (Parinirvana/death)

Ashokan Pillar and Lion Capital. Maurya period, c. 250 BCE. Capital height 7 feet.

Great Stupa (the Mahastupa), Sanchi. Founded third century BCE, enlarged c. 150–50 BCE. UNESCO video link.

Details from Stupa, Sanchi

North gate at Sanchi,source.

Votive Stupa from Bodh Gaya, eighth century.

North gate at Sanchi and detail from the upper right of the triratna (the three jewels) of Buddhism (source).

Ashokan pillar and stupa at Vaishali .

Plan of the Ajanta monastery.

Entrance to a chaitya hall, c. third century BCE to second century, cave at Bhaja.

Interior of rock-cut, chaitya hallBhaja c. 100 BCE.

Interior of Cave 19, Ajanta c. 462-500 BCE.

Rock-cut chaitya halls and viharas, Ajanta, c. 462-500 BCE.

An image of the Buddha

Hinayana(Lesser Vehicle)

(also known as shravakayana)

It is based on the original teachings of the Buddha. It demonstrates practical methods for the end to suffering.

Release can only be achieved through personal effort. The essence of the teachings is the Four Noble Truths.

The basic practice is the Eightfold Path.The goal is individual salvation.

There is a clear monastic tradition associated with Hinayana.

Worship of deities is secondary.The simple concept is release from samsara.

Details from Stupa, Sanchi

Footprints of the Buddha at Bodh Gaya, source.

Mahayana(Greater Vehicle)

This is rooted in the teachings of the historical Buddha, but seeks salvation for all beings. This

attitude is embodied in the idea of the bodhisattva whose outstanding quality is compassion.

The Mahayana places less emphasis on the monastery because through direct worship and assistance from the bodhisattva the individual can attain release.

Kushan coin. Buddha first-second century.

Kushan coin, Siva second century.

“Yogi” seal.

Buddha and Attendants c. late first-early second century BCE, Mathura, Madhya Pradesh, India.

mudras

Buddha and Attendants, c.182 BCE, Ghandara, northwest Pakistan.Buddha and Attendants,

c. late first-early second century BCE, Mathura, Madhya, Pradesh, India.

Standing Buddha, Gandhara, c. second–third century.

Imperial Procession, From the Ara Pacis, 13-9 BCE.

Standing Buddha, Gandhara, c. second–third century.

Buddha, the First Sermon, Gupta, mid. fifth century sandstone.

First Sermon (Turning the Wheel of the Law),

Pala Dynasty, tenth century.

Enlightenment (Earth Touching gesture), Pala Dynasty,

tenth century

Bodhisattva:An enlightened being who has achieved Buddhahood, but chooses to remain in

the temporal world to assist others

The Bodhisattva Tara, c. ninth century.

Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ndwNgeYMQU&feature=related

Should they be reconstructed?