Buddhism, Hinduism & Sacred Architecture – Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major Buddhist and Hindu terms, texts, sites, concepts, and architectural elements mentioned in the lecture notes.

Mahayana

‘Great Vehicle’; later Buddhist tradition emphasizing bodhisattvas and universal salvation.

Hinayana

‘Lesser Vehicle’; term (often for Theravada) describing older, more conservative Buddhist schools.

Theravada

Earliest surviving Buddhist school, focused on monastic discipline and the Pali Canon.

Vaishnavism

Hindu tradition centered on worship of Vishnu and his avatars such as Krishna.

Puranic Hinduism

Form of Hinduism shaped by the Puranas, stressing devotional worship of deities like Vishnu and Shiva.

Chandogya Upanishad

Early Upanishad exploring the nature of reality, self, and Brahman.

Puranas

Hindu mythic texts mixing history, cosmology, and devotional stories.

Shaivism

Major Hindu sect devoted to the worship of Shiva.

Brahmana Sacrifices

Vedic ritual offerings detailed in the Brahmana texts, reinforcing social and cosmic order.

Vasudeva Krishna

Early devotional form of Krishna worshiped as a supreme deity.

Garbhagriha

Innermost shrine of a Hindu temple housing the primary deity image.

Rock-cut Temple

Shrine carved directly into living rock, common in early Indian architecture.

Kailasanatha Temple

8th-century rock-cut temple at Ellora dedicated to Shiva, famed for massive monolithic carving.

Mahabalipuram

Tamil Nadu site with 7th-century Pallava rock-cut temples and reliefs.

Shankaracharya

8th-century Advaita philosopher who revitalized Hindu thought and monastic orders.

Upanishads

Later Vedic texts discussing metaphysics, self (ātman) and ultimate reality (Brahman).

Gargi

Female sage in the Upanishads renowned for philosophical debates on Brahman.

Maitreyi

Upanishadic female philosopher who questioned the nature of immortality and self.

Satyakama Jabala

Upanishadic seeker whose story emphasizes truthfulness over birth in attaining knowledge.

Sanchi

Madhya Pradesh site with well-preserved Buddhist stupas and gateways.

Jataka Tales

Stories of Buddha’s previous births illustrating moral lessons.

Shalabhanjika

Sculptural motif of a graceful woman touching a tree, symbolizing fertility and auspiciousness.

Gajalakshmi

Lakshmi flanked by elephants, emblem of prosperity often carved on stupas.

James Fergusson

19th-century architectural historian who documented Indian monuments like Sanchi.

Bodhisattva

Compassionate being who postpones nirvana to aid others; central to Mahayana Buddhism.

Ashokavadana

2nd-century CE Buddhist text recounting Emperor Ashoka’s life and miracles.

Ashoka

Mauryan emperor who promoted Buddhism, erecting pillars, stupas, and inscriptions.

Stupa

Hemispherical mound enshrining relics; focal point for Buddhist worship and circumambulation.

Anda

Dome or mound portion of a stupa representing the cosmic mountain.

Harmika

Square railing atop a stupa symbolizing the abode of the gods.

Yashti

Central mast rising from the harmika, axis mundi of the stupa.

Chhatri

Triple stone umbrella on the yashti signifying high spiritual status and protection.

Railing (Vedika)

Stone fence encircling a stupa, marking the sacred boundary and path for circumambulation.

Amaravati Stupa

Large Andhra stupa noted for intricate 2nd-century CE relief sculptures.

Colin Mackenzie

Early 19th-century surveyor who recorded the ruins and sculptures of Amaravati.

Sir Walter Elliot

British official who collected and shipped Amaravati sculptures to London museums.

Vinaya Pitaka

Section of the Buddhist canon detailing monastic rules for monks and nuns.

Metta

Loving-kindness; key Buddhist virtue of benevolent goodwill toward all beings.

Karuna

Compassion; empathetic desire to alleviate others’ suffering in Buddhism.

Chaitya

Prayer hall housing a stupa, characterized by barrel-vaulted interior and apsidal plan.

Lumbini

Birthplace of the Buddha in present-day Nepal, marked by Ashoka’s pillar.

Bodh Gaya

Site where Siddhartha attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree.

Sarnath

Place of Buddha’s first sermon, near Varanasi, featuring Dhamekh Stupa remains.

Kushinagara

Town where the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (final passing away).

Ashokan Pillar

Monolithic sandstone column erected by Ashoka, often bearing edicts and animal capitals.

Relics

Physical remains or objects associated with the Buddha, enshrined in stupas for veneration.