Asia: Buddhism & Hinduism
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11 Terms
1
New cards
**Buddhism**
* **Ancient Buddhist art was** ***aniconic***
* Buddha and his teachings were represented by symbols like the lotus, wheel, or footprint
* ***Iconic*** **representations of the Buddha** emerge in 1st century CE
* Imagery is an important part of Buddhist practice and can be found in
* Shrine settings
* Landscapes
* Palaces
* Buddhism spread from India throughout Asia along the **Silk Road**
* A network of historical trade routes across Europe and Asia
* Buddha and his teachings were represented by symbols like the lotus, wheel, or footprint
* ***Iconic*** **representations of the Buddha** emerge in 1st century CE
* Imagery is an important part of Buddhist practice and can be found in
* Shrine settings
* Landscapes
* Palaces
* Buddhism spread from India throughout Asia along the **Silk Road**
* A network of historical trade routes across Europe and Asia
2
New cards
*Great Stupa at Sanchi*
Madhya Pradesh, India - Buddhist
Stone Masonry, Sandstone on Dome
300 BCE - 100 CE
Madhya Pradesh, India - Buddhist
Stone Masonry, Sandstone on Dome
300 BCE - 100 CE
**Form/Content**
* Stupa is Sanskrit for “heap” - a hemispherical mound that is the burial ground of Buddha’s relics
* 54 ft tall mound is undecorated and solid
* Perched on a hill and surrounded by smaller stupas
* Stupa/gateways represent a 3D mandala (recreation of the universe)
* Gateways elaborately carved with many scenes and figures - 35 ft tall
* 4 gateways later added to mark the cardinal directions
* Worshipers entered and walked around stupa clockwise
* CIRCUMAMBULATE - suggesting the endless cycle of rebirth
* Buddhism often narrative scenes referencing fertility
* Buddha not show in human form when stupa was built
* His presence is indicated through symbols: umbrella, lotus, feet, wheel
**Function**
* Represents the burial mound of Buddha’s relics
* Focal point of worship
**Context**
* Before Buddhism, great teachers were buried in mounds in a seated, meditative position.
* Earliest stupas contained portions of the Buddha’s ashes
* Karma
* If a practitioner builds a stupa he or she will not be reborn in a remote location and will not suffer from extreme poverty
* The shape of the stupa evolved as time went on but they still served as relic chambers and symbols of Buddha and his teachings
* Stupa is Sanskrit for “heap” - a hemispherical mound that is the burial ground of Buddha’s relics
* 54 ft tall mound is undecorated and solid
* Perched on a hill and surrounded by smaller stupas
* Stupa/gateways represent a 3D mandala (recreation of the universe)
* Gateways elaborately carved with many scenes and figures - 35 ft tall
* 4 gateways later added to mark the cardinal directions
* Worshipers entered and walked around stupa clockwise
* CIRCUMAMBULATE - suggesting the endless cycle of rebirth
* Buddhism often narrative scenes referencing fertility
* Buddha not show in human form when stupa was built
* His presence is indicated through symbols: umbrella, lotus, feet, wheel
**Function**
* Represents the burial mound of Buddha’s relics
* Focal point of worship
**Context**
* Before Buddhism, great teachers were buried in mounds in a seated, meditative position.
* Earliest stupas contained portions of the Buddha’s ashes
* Karma
* If a practitioner builds a stupa he or she will not be reborn in a remote location and will not suffer from extreme poverty
* The shape of the stupa evolved as time went on but they still served as relic chambers and symbols of Buddha and his teachings
3
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*Buddha*
Bamiyan, Afghanistan, Gandharan
Cut Rock with Plaster and Polychrome Paint
400 - 800 CE (Destroyed in 2001)
Bamiyan, Afghanistan, Gandharan
Cut Rock with Plaster and Polychrome Paint
400 - 800 CE (Destroyed in 2001)
**Form**
* Prior to destruction, the Bamiyan Buddhas were considered the largest Buddhas in the world - 175 ft tall
* Carved into niches of the cliffside in high relief
* Buddha’s feet were carved in the round, allowing worshippers to **CIRCUMAMBULATE:** a common practice in Buddhist worship
**Function**
* Little is known about them but their existence
* Proves the importance of the Buddhist faith in the Bamiyan Valley - a vital link of Silk Road trade routes
**Content**
* Originally covered in metal, gems, and color
* Flowing robes and have been described as having wavy curls of hair
* Hairstyle and flowing drapery are elements rooted in early Gandharan Buddhist imagery
* Combined Hellenistic Greek traditions of representation with Indian subject matter
**Context**
* In 2001, The Taliban destroyed the Buddhas because they viewed them as “false idols.”
* __Interesting Article__ about Taliban’s reasoning
* Bamiyan was a central location along the Silk Road
* Fertile plains amid harsh terrain
* An ideal location for merchants and missionaries to stop during their travels
* Missionaries and merchants were practitioners of the Buddhist faith and it spread because it was not location specific
* Believers did not need to worship at a particular temple
* Worship could take place anywhere and at anytime
* Resulted in Buddhist cave architecture throughout Asia
\
* Prior to destruction, the Bamiyan Buddhas were considered the largest Buddhas in the world - 175 ft tall
* Carved into niches of the cliffside in high relief
* Buddha’s feet were carved in the round, allowing worshippers to **CIRCUMAMBULATE:** a common practice in Buddhist worship
**Function**
* Little is known about them but their existence
* Proves the importance of the Buddhist faith in the Bamiyan Valley - a vital link of Silk Road trade routes
**Content**
* Originally covered in metal, gems, and color
* Flowing robes and have been described as having wavy curls of hair
* Hairstyle and flowing drapery are elements rooted in early Gandharan Buddhist imagery
* Combined Hellenistic Greek traditions of representation with Indian subject matter
**Context**
* In 2001, The Taliban destroyed the Buddhas because they viewed them as “false idols.”
* __Interesting Article__ about Taliban’s reasoning
* Bamiyan was a central location along the Silk Road
* Fertile plains amid harsh terrain
* An ideal location for merchants and missionaries to stop during their travels
* Missionaries and merchants were practitioners of the Buddhist faith and it spread because it was not location specific
* Believers did not need to worship at a particular temple
* Worship could take place anywhere and at anytime
* Resulted in Buddhist cave architecture throughout Asia
\
4
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*Longmen Caves*
Luoyang, China - Tang Dynasty
Limestone
493 - 1127 CE
Luoyang, China - Tang Dynasty
Limestone
493 - 1127 CE
Form
* 2,300 caves and niches filled with Buddhist art
* steep limestone cliffs extend for almost a mile
* contain approximately 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles
* linear and abstract motifs are typical of the mature Northern Wei style
\
Content
Central Binyang Cave:
* surrounded by low relief carvings (painted in brilliant blue, red, ochre, and gold)
* pentad (five figures) across from entry, central Buddha, seated on a lion throne
* assisted by two bodhisattvas (enlightened, put off entering paradise to help others) and two disciples
* flattened, elongated bodies, elaborate clothes, jewelry, and crowns, floral designs, gentle, smile
* finely chiseled haloes, lotus carving, celestial deities flutter down from the heavens
* Two relief carvings of imperial processions once surrounded the entrance
Fengxian Temple:
* group of 9 monumental images carved into limestone, high relief
* central Buddha (over 55 feet tall), bodhisattva, heavenly king, and thunderbolt holder (vajrapani)
* Buddha/bodhisattva- softer/rounder modeling, serene faces vs engaging and animated heavenly guardians and vajrapani
Kanjing Temple
* accurate portrayals of individuals, intense realism
* walls lined with images of arhats (worthy monks, far in quest for Enlightenment)
* 29 monk procession around cave, records lineage of great patriarchs of Buddhist doctrine
\
Function
* Foreign rulers of the Northern Wei, Buddhist images for authority and power
* Tang dynasty leaders asserted sovereignty with the assistance of Buddhist iconography
* sculptures intentionally mirrored the political situation
\
Context
\
* 1st century C.E., Buddhism brought to China new ideas
* periods of the Northern Wei (386–534 C.E.) through early Tang dynasties (618–907 C.E.)
* NW Emperor Xiao Wen decided to move the capital south to Luoyang in 494 C.E.
* Central Binyang Cave- one of 3 caves started in 508 C.E.
* commissioned by Emperor Xuan Wu in memory of his father
* other two caves, Northern and Southern Binyang, never completed
* Adopted Chinese aesthetic- reliefs may be inspired by secular painting, Chinese court robes
* Fengxian Temple- sponsored by Emperor Gaozong and his wife, the future Empress Wu
* Kanjing cave Temple- created from about 690–704 C.E. under the patronage of Empress Wu
* 2,300 caves and niches filled with Buddhist art
* steep limestone cliffs extend for almost a mile
* contain approximately 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles
* linear and abstract motifs are typical of the mature Northern Wei style
\
Content
Central Binyang Cave:
* surrounded by low relief carvings (painted in brilliant blue, red, ochre, and gold)
* pentad (five figures) across from entry, central Buddha, seated on a lion throne
* assisted by two bodhisattvas (enlightened, put off entering paradise to help others) and two disciples
* flattened, elongated bodies, elaborate clothes, jewelry, and crowns, floral designs, gentle, smile
* finely chiseled haloes, lotus carving, celestial deities flutter down from the heavens
* Two relief carvings of imperial processions once surrounded the entrance
Fengxian Temple:
* group of 9 monumental images carved into limestone, high relief
* central Buddha (over 55 feet tall), bodhisattva, heavenly king, and thunderbolt holder (vajrapani)
* Buddha/bodhisattva- softer/rounder modeling, serene faces vs engaging and animated heavenly guardians and vajrapani
Kanjing Temple
* accurate portrayals of individuals, intense realism
* walls lined with images of arhats (worthy monks, far in quest for Enlightenment)
* 29 monk procession around cave, records lineage of great patriarchs of Buddhist doctrine
\
Function
* Foreign rulers of the Northern Wei, Buddhist images for authority and power
* Tang dynasty leaders asserted sovereignty with the assistance of Buddhist iconography
* sculptures intentionally mirrored the political situation
\
Context
\
* 1st century C.E., Buddhism brought to China new ideas
* periods of the Northern Wei (386–534 C.E.) through early Tang dynasties (618–907 C.E.)
* NW Emperor Xiao Wen decided to move the capital south to Luoyang in 494 C.E.
* Central Binyang Cave- one of 3 caves started in 508 C.E.
* commissioned by Emperor Xuan Wu in memory of his father
* other two caves, Northern and Southern Binyang, never completed
* Adopted Chinese aesthetic- reliefs may be inspired by secular painting, Chinese court robes
* Fengxian Temple- sponsored by Emperor Gaozong and his wife, the future Empress Wu
* Kanjing cave Temple- created from about 690–704 C.E. under the patronage of Empress Wu
5
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\
*Jowo Rinpoche, enshrined in the Jokhang Temple*
*Jowo Rinpoche, enshrined in the Jokhang Temple*
**Form**
* Nearly 8 ft tall
* Larger than life-size image of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni
* Seated against gold jeweled throne with a jeweled crown
* Buddha wears thin monk robe
**Function**
* Represents the Buddha’s transition to nirvana
* The appearance of the sculpture coincides with foundation of Buddhism in Tibet
* Believed to be the most accurate portrayal of Buddha Shakyamuni
**Content**
* Shocking blue hair
* Seated in lotus position-”padmasana”
* Left hand in mudra (hand gesture) of meditation (dhyana mudra). Right hand is in bhumisparsha mudra (“calling the earth to witness”)
* Signifies moment of Buddha’s enlightenment
**Context**
* Rinpoche:”Precious one” in Tibetan language
* Sculpture has gone through restoration and reconstruction
* No one knows what it originally looked like
* Religiously and culturally important to Tibet
* Considered the most sacred Buddha image in Tibet
* Believed to have been carved by the architect Viswakarma while the Buddha was still alive, but historically that doesn’t make sense
\
*Jowo Rinpoche, enshrined in the Jokhang Temple*
Lhasa, Tibet. Yarlung Dynasty
Gilt Metals with Semiprecious Stones, Pearls, and Paint (and offerings)
Believed to have been brought to Tibet in 641 CE
* Nearly 8 ft tall
* Larger than life-size image of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni
* Seated against gold jeweled throne with a jeweled crown
* Buddha wears thin monk robe
**Function**
* Represents the Buddha’s transition to nirvana
* The appearance of the sculpture coincides with foundation of Buddhism in Tibet
* Believed to be the most accurate portrayal of Buddha Shakyamuni
**Content**
* Shocking blue hair
* Seated in lotus position-”padmasana”
* Left hand in mudra (hand gesture) of meditation (dhyana mudra). Right hand is in bhumisparsha mudra (“calling the earth to witness”)
* Signifies moment of Buddha’s enlightenment
**Context**
* Rinpoche:”Precious one” in Tibetan language
* Sculpture has gone through restoration and reconstruction
* No one knows what it originally looked like
* Religiously and culturally important to Tibet
* Considered the most sacred Buddha image in Tibet
* Believed to have been carved by the architect Viswakarma while the Buddha was still alive, but historically that doesn’t make sense
\
*Jowo Rinpoche, enshrined in the Jokhang Temple*
Lhasa, Tibet. Yarlung Dynasty
Gilt Metals with Semiprecious Stones, Pearls, and Paint (and offerings)
Believed to have been brought to Tibet in 641 CE
6
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*Todai - ji*
**Form**
* Massive bronze Buddha statue
* Kei sculptures are detailed and exaggerated
* Wooden building with tiled roof
**Function**
* reflects the complex intermingling of Buddhism and politics in early Japan
* Unifies Japanese clans through government and spirituality
* displaying the power, prestige and piety of the imperial house of Japan
**Content**
* Also includes housing for monks and lecture hall
* Merging Japanese architecture with Buddhist elements
**Context**
* When completed in the 740s, Todai-ji (or “Great Eastern Temple”) was the largest building project ever on Japanese soil.
* rebuilt in the 12th century
* In 741, Emperor Shomu ordered temples, monasteries and convents to be built throughout Japan’s 66 province
* The Genpei Civil War (1180-85) caused it to need to be reconstructed
* Kei School reflects the Buddhism and warrior-centered culture of the Kamakura era (1185–1333)
*Todai - ji*
Nara, Japan
Bronze, Wood, and Ceramic Tile Roofing
743 CE, rebuilt in 12th cent Main Hall in 1709 CE
* Massive bronze Buddha statue
* Kei sculptures are detailed and exaggerated
* Wooden building with tiled roof
**Function**
* reflects the complex intermingling of Buddhism and politics in early Japan
* Unifies Japanese clans through government and spirituality
* displaying the power, prestige and piety of the imperial house of Japan
**Content**
* Also includes housing for monks and lecture hall
* Merging Japanese architecture with Buddhist elements
**Context**
* When completed in the 740s, Todai-ji (or “Great Eastern Temple”) was the largest building project ever on Japanese soil.
* rebuilt in the 12th century
* In 741, Emperor Shomu ordered temples, monasteries and convents to be built throughout Japan’s 66 province
* The Genpei Civil War (1180-85) caused it to need to be reconstructed
* Kei School reflects the Buddhism and warrior-centered culture of the Kamakura era (1185–1333)
*Todai - ji*
Nara, Japan
Bronze, Wood, and Ceramic Tile Roofing
743 CE, rebuilt in 12th cent Main Hall in 1709 CE
7
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Borobudur Temple
**Function**
* Buddhist temple
* The physical movement of circumambulating the structure symbolized the non-physical or spiritual path of the enlightenment
**Context**
* **In fact the name Sailendra means “ Lord of the Mountain”**
* **The Borobudur’s design was created by architect Gunardharma (poet and thinker). Considered today to be a man of great of vision and devotion.**
* **The temple fell into disuse roughly 100 years after its completion**
* **For unknown reasons the rules of Java relocated the governing center to another part of the island**
* Temple was rediscovered in 1814 by British Lieutenant Governor Thomas Stamford Raffles after hearing reports from islanders about an incredible sanctuary deep within the island’s interior
**Form/Content**
* **Basic Structure resembles that of a pyramid.**
* Yet it has been referred to as a caitya (shrine), a stupa (reliquary) and a sacred mountain.
* **It’s overall plan is that of a three-dimensional-mandala**
* Set up high upon a hill vertically enhanced by its builders to achieve a greater elevation
* **It consists of a series of open-air passageways**
* **Devotees circumambulate clockwise along walkways that gradually ascent to its uppermost level.**
* Meticulously carved relief sculptures radiate a physical and spiritual journey that guides pilgrims.
* **Contains 504 statues of Buddha. 1460 stone reliefs on the walls**
* **An additional 1212 decorative reliefs augmenting the path.**
* **The relief sculptures narrate the Buddha’s teachings (The Dharma). Depicting various events of his past lives (Jataka Tales)**
* Another 160 relief sculptures adorn the base of the monument
* After passing the base and going through the four galleries, the devotee emerges onto the three upper terraces, encountering 72 stupas. Each containing a three-dimensional sculpture of a seated Buddha.
* **At the temple’s apex sits the large central stupa, a symbol of the enlightened mind.**
Indonesia - Sailendra Dynasty
Volcanic Stone Masonry
750 CE - 842 CE
* Buddhist temple
* The physical movement of circumambulating the structure symbolized the non-physical or spiritual path of the enlightenment
**Context**
* **In fact the name Sailendra means “ Lord of the Mountain”**
* **The Borobudur’s design was created by architect Gunardharma (poet and thinker). Considered today to be a man of great of vision and devotion.**
* **The temple fell into disuse roughly 100 years after its completion**
* **For unknown reasons the rules of Java relocated the governing center to another part of the island**
* Temple was rediscovered in 1814 by British Lieutenant Governor Thomas Stamford Raffles after hearing reports from islanders about an incredible sanctuary deep within the island’s interior
**Form/Content**
* **Basic Structure resembles that of a pyramid.**
* Yet it has been referred to as a caitya (shrine), a stupa (reliquary) and a sacred mountain.
* **It’s overall plan is that of a three-dimensional-mandala**
* Set up high upon a hill vertically enhanced by its builders to achieve a greater elevation
* **It consists of a series of open-air passageways**
* **Devotees circumambulate clockwise along walkways that gradually ascent to its uppermost level.**
* Meticulously carved relief sculptures radiate a physical and spiritual journey that guides pilgrims.
* **Contains 504 statues of Buddha. 1460 stone reliefs on the walls**
* **An additional 1212 decorative reliefs augmenting the path.**
* **The relief sculptures narrate the Buddha’s teachings (The Dharma). Depicting various events of his past lives (Jataka Tales)**
* Another 160 relief sculptures adorn the base of the monument
* After passing the base and going through the four galleries, the devotee emerges onto the three upper terraces, encountering 72 stupas. Each containing a three-dimensional sculpture of a seated Buddha.
* **At the temple’s apex sits the large central stupa, a symbol of the enlightened mind.**
Indonesia - Sailendra Dynasty
Volcanic Stone Masonry
750 CE - 842 CE
8
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Ryoan - ji
\
**Form/Content**
* Courtyard measuring 30 feet by 78 ft.
* Garden contains 15 stones of different sizes.
* Five isolated groups one with five stones, two with three stones, and two with two stones.
Zen dry garden:
* Asymmetrical arrangement
* Structured environment symbolizing the natural world
* Water symbolizes purification
* Highly organized placement
**Function**
* Served as a focus for meditation for zen buddhist monks.
**Context**
* Zen stressing meditation leading to enlightenment, discipline and concentration
* Tea ceremony
* It is believed that the garden originally created in the 15th century.
* The garden was said to originally contain 9 larger stones that represented “tiger cubs crossing the river”.
*Ryoan - ji*
Kyoto, Japan
Rock Garden
1480 CE (Current design 18th Century)
**Form/Content**
* Courtyard measuring 30 feet by 78 ft.
* Garden contains 15 stones of different sizes.
* Five isolated groups one with five stones, two with three stones, and two with two stones.
Zen dry garden:
* Asymmetrical arrangement
* Structured environment symbolizing the natural world
* Water symbolizes purification
* Highly organized placement
**Function**
* Served as a focus for meditation for zen buddhist monks.
**Context**
* Zen stressing meditation leading to enlightenment, discipline and concentration
* Tea ceremony
* It is believed that the garden originally created in the 15th century.
* The garden was said to originally contain 9 larger stones that represented “tiger cubs crossing the river”.
*Ryoan - ji*
Kyoto, Japan
Rock Garden
1480 CE (Current design 18th Century)
9
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*Angkor Wat (temple), Angkor Thom (city)*
**Form/Content**
* Entirely made from stone - very impressive detail
* The temple is entered through the South gate
* Avenue of statues carrying a mythological serpent
* 4 faces on the gate, each facing a cardinal directions
* Statue of similar style is around the city
* Exposure wall around city protects the grounds from the moat which projects the city
* There are many gallery walls that commemorate military exploits, city life at hight, etc.
* Five stone towers symbolizing the five mountain ranges of Mt. Meru (the mythical home of the gods)
* The galleries and the empty spaces between towers and the moat are envisioned as the mountain ranges and oceans that surround Mt. Meru
* The towers create an __axis-mundi__ (a cosmic or world axis that connects heaven and earth)
* The city as a whole is organized to be in harmony with the universe and is set up like an mandala
* Reliefs
* 1,200 square meters of reliefs representing 8 different Hindu stories
* *The most famous - Churning of the Ocean of Milk*
* *Story about beginning of time, creation of universe, good over evil*
* *Churning the ocean of milk, Gods and demons are fighting like tug-of-war using Naga (the serpent king) as the rope and Vishu is represented in the center. Churning the milk causes many things to happen such as the foam producing apsaras or celestial maidens seen around Vishu. The concoction causes Indra (the Vedic god who is considered the king of all the gods) is seen descending from heaven to catch it and save the world from the destruction of the demons*
* The site took over 30 years, over 300,000 workers and was never completely finished
Cambodia - Hindu
Stone Masonry, Sandstone
800 - 1400 CE
* Entirely made from stone - very impressive detail
* The temple is entered through the South gate
* Avenue of statues carrying a mythological serpent
* 4 faces on the gate, each facing a cardinal directions
* Statue of similar style is around the city
* Exposure wall around city protects the grounds from the moat which projects the city
* There are many gallery walls that commemorate military exploits, city life at hight, etc.
* Five stone towers symbolizing the five mountain ranges of Mt. Meru (the mythical home of the gods)
* The galleries and the empty spaces between towers and the moat are envisioned as the mountain ranges and oceans that surround Mt. Meru
* The towers create an __axis-mundi__ (a cosmic or world axis that connects heaven and earth)
* The city as a whole is organized to be in harmony with the universe and is set up like an mandala
* Reliefs
* 1,200 square meters of reliefs representing 8 different Hindu stories
* *The most famous - Churning of the Ocean of Milk*
* *Story about beginning of time, creation of universe, good over evil*
* *Churning the ocean of milk, Gods and demons are fighting like tug-of-war using Naga (the serpent king) as the rope and Vishu is represented in the center. Churning the milk causes many things to happen such as the foam producing apsaras or celestial maidens seen around Vishu. The concoction causes Indra (the Vedic god who is considered the king of all the gods) is seen descending from heaven to catch it and save the world from the destruction of the demons*
* The site took over 30 years, over 300,000 workers and was never completely finished
Cambodia - Hindu
Stone Masonry, Sandstone
800 - 1400 CE
10
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*Lakshmana Temple*
**Form/Content**
* Almost every surface of the temple is covered with erotic sculptures
* Faces aren’t individualized
* stylized horses, elephants, and lions
* Temple dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva, Surya
* Vishnu: preserver and protector of the universe
* Shiva: god of destruction
* Surya: Hindu god of the sun
* Has corbelled roof (A roof constructed using stone slabs that progressively overlap each other to create a false vault or dome)
* Ashlar masonry: finely beveled rocks fitted closely next to one another
* Similar to Incas
**Function**
* A place for worship
* more intimate, individual
**Context**
* First of several temples built by Chandela Kings
* patronized artists, performers, poets
* built large irrigation systems out of sandstone
* Originally over 80 temples
* dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Surya
* others dedicated to divine teachers of Jainism
* only 30 remain
* Commissioned by Yashovarman, Chandella King
* gained control of territories in Bundelkhand
* died before it was finished
* Son, Dhaga finished and dedicated temple in 954 CE
* Classic Style of a Naga Hindu temple
* Depicting idealized female
* sacred and almost protective
* texts with different “types” of women
* emphasizes roles as symbols of fertility
* figures engaged in sexual intercourse
* ritualistic, symbolic
*Lakshmana Temple*
Khajuraho, India Hindu
Sandstone
950 CE
* Almost every surface of the temple is covered with erotic sculptures
* Faces aren’t individualized
* stylized horses, elephants, and lions
* Temple dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva, Surya
* Vishnu: preserver and protector of the universe
* Shiva: god of destruction
* Surya: Hindu god of the sun
* Has corbelled roof (A roof constructed using stone slabs that progressively overlap each other to create a false vault or dome)
* Ashlar masonry: finely beveled rocks fitted closely next to one another
* Similar to Incas
**Function**
* A place for worship
* more intimate, individual
**Context**
* First of several temples built by Chandela Kings
* patronized artists, performers, poets
* built large irrigation systems out of sandstone
* Originally over 80 temples
* dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Surya
* others dedicated to divine teachers of Jainism
* only 30 remain
* Commissioned by Yashovarman, Chandella King
* gained control of territories in Bundelkhand
* died before it was finished
* Son, Dhaga finished and dedicated temple in 954 CE
* Classic Style of a Naga Hindu temple
* Depicting idealized female
* sacred and almost protective
* texts with different “types” of women
* emphasizes roles as symbols of fertility
* figures engaged in sexual intercourse
* ritualistic, symbolic
*Lakshmana Temple*
Khajuraho, India Hindu
Sandstone
950 CE
11
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*Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)*
\
**Form**
* 2ft x 3ft
* Ornate
* Overall figure is balanced
* No color
* Shiva depicts a human
**Function**
* Made for mobility & for religious purposes
* Size of the deity (for personal prayers at home)
* Blessings - let people know that your home is blessed
**Content**
* Combines temple statues w/iconography
* Depicts Lord Shiva “Destroyer”
* Hindu belief that all things must come to an end
* Literal embodiment of the divine
* Frozen in time while dancing
* The ring of fun represents the cosmos
* Endless cycle of life & death
* Right hand holds he damaru - the drums
* Act of creation and passage of time
* Lower right hand
* Palm raised & facing toward viewer (abhaya mudra)
**Context**
* Nata: dance or performance, raja: king or lord
* Originated from **Chola Dynasty** now Tamil Nadu in South India
* One of the longest lasting empires in South India
* Has the perfect portions for a divine being (Similar to the perfect man)
* This image is taken from the ancient Indian manual of visual depiction (Shilpa Shastras)
* The Science or Rules of Sculptures contained a precise set of measurements & shapes for a divine being
* Arms were to be long like stalks of bamboo, faces round like the moon, eyes shaped like almonds or lotus leaves
* Shastras were ideals of beauty or physical perfection in Hinduism
India Hindu
Cast Bronze
11th Century CE
**Form**
* 2ft x 3ft
* Ornate
* Overall figure is balanced
* No color
* Shiva depicts a human
**Function**
* Made for mobility & for religious purposes
* Size of the deity (for personal prayers at home)
* Blessings - let people know that your home is blessed
**Content**
* Combines temple statues w/iconography
* Depicts Lord Shiva “Destroyer”
* Hindu belief that all things must come to an end
* Literal embodiment of the divine
* Frozen in time while dancing
* The ring of fun represents the cosmos
* Endless cycle of life & death
* Right hand holds he damaru - the drums
* Act of creation and passage of time
* Lower right hand
* Palm raised & facing toward viewer (abhaya mudra)
**Context**
* Nata: dance or performance, raja: king or lord
* Originated from **Chola Dynasty** now Tamil Nadu in South India
* One of the longest lasting empires in South India
* Has the perfect portions for a divine being (Similar to the perfect man)
* This image is taken from the ancient Indian manual of visual depiction (Shilpa Shastras)
* The Science or Rules of Sculptures contained a precise set of measurements & shapes for a divine being
* Arms were to be long like stalks of bamboo, faces round like the moon, eyes shaped like almonds or lotus leaves
* Shastras were ideals of beauty or physical perfection in Hinduism
India Hindu
Cast Bronze
11th Century CE