History Exam 2 Buddhist and Hindi Art

Buddha

Siddharta Gautama; the founder of buddhism who acheived enlightenment

Stupa

A domed shaped buddhist monument that holds sacred relics used for worship

Torana

Decorative walkway that that marks the entrance of a sacred buddhist or Hindu site

Pradakshina

Ritual of walking clockwise around a scared object like a stupa as an act of devotion

Bodhisattva

An enlightened being who helps other through enlightenment before entering final nirvana

Mudra

Symbolic hand gesture used in buddhist and hindi art communicating teaching protecting or meditation

Aniconic

Representing a sacred figure through symbols rather than showing the figure itself, Buddha is shown through a wheel, footprints, or a throne, not through a human image.

Linga

Representation of Hindu god Shiva (divine creative power)

Lion capital from Ashokan pillar

Sarnath, India, Mauryan period, c. 250 BCE. Polished Sandstone Commissioned by Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor who converted to Buddhism. Four lions back to back on a circle abacus. Carvings of elephant, horse, bull and lions separated by the “wheel of dharma.” Sarnath is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after achieving enlightenment. Ashoka sponsored Buddhist monuments and spread Buddhist teachings throughout his empire.

The Great Departure

On an architrave of the eastern torana, Great Stupa, Sanchi, India. Shunga period Stone relief sculpture. Early Buddhist artists' preference for symbolic rather than human representations of the Buddha. A parasol above him and a riderless horse, carved in relief and filled with narrative detail that adds to the story of Buddhas journey towards enlightenment.

The Buddha

Mathura, India, Kushan period, early second century CE, Red sandstone. Earliest human-form representations of the Buddha. In the distinctive red sandstone, the Buddha stands upright, facing forward, with a powerful, idealized body and a halo behind his head, symbolizing spiritual enlightenment. The display's elongated earlobes are a sign of his former life as a wealthy prince who wore heavy jewelry.

Jain Tirthankara Parshvanatha, India

Gupta period, sixth century CE. Depicts Pashvantha the 23rd spiritual teacher of Jainism, minimal clothing the Jain rejection of worldly attachments and the facial expression conveys inner peace and enlightenment.

Eternal Shiva (three-faced linga)

Flanked by guardian figures,Shiva Cave temple, Elephanta, India, Kalachuri kingdom, sixth century CE.*Shiva the principle deity of Hinduism, features a monumental three-faced image emerging from a linga-like form. The cave temple served as a place of worship and pilgrimage. Shiva’s role as an eternal and cosmic deity: the middle focal face is calm and serene.