APAH - BUDDHISM & HINDUISM (UNIT 5)

Here’s a complete and easy-to-understand study set for all the terms and people from your notes:

Buddhism

  1. Stupa: Dome-shaped shrine for Buddhist meditation.

  2. 4 Noble Truths: Core Buddhist teachings:

    1. Life is suffering.

    2. Suffering is caused by desire.

    3. Suffering ends by overcoming desire.

    4. Follow the Eightfold Path to enlightenment.

  3. Wheel of Buddhist Doctrine: Symbol of the Eightfold Path; think of it as a guide to balance.

  4. Chatra: Parasol symbol on stupas, showing royal protection.

  5. Yasti: The central pillar of the stupa; represents the universe's axis.

  6. Torana: Gateway leading into a stupa, decorated with carvings.

  7. Dogma: Set of principles or rules. Buddhism emphasizes individual journeys over strict rules.

  8. Yakshi: Female figure symbolizing fertility and prosperity.

  9. Nirvana: Perfect peace and freedom from suffering.

  10. Mudras: Hand gestures by Buddha, each with symbolic meaning.

  11. Karma: Actions bring consequences (what goes around comes around).

  12. Dharma: Teachings of Buddha and the path to righteousness.

  13. Cranial Bump: Symbol of Buddha’s wisdom and enlightenment.

  14. Lotus Flower Symbol: Symbolizes purity, rising above challenges (like a lotus flower in muddy water).

  15. Urna: Third eye on Buddha’s forehead, representing spiritual insight.

  16. Grotto: Small cave, often used for Buddhist meditation.

  17. Mandala: Geometric designs representing the universe; used for meditation.

  18. Walking Pilgrimage: Walking meditation, often to sacred Buddhist sites.

  19. Bas-Relief/High Relief: Sculptures with figures that slightly (or deeply) project from a flat background.

Hinduism

  1. Shiva: The destroyer god who also regenerates life. Seen with multiple heads, a crescent moon, and a trident.

  2. Vishnu: The preserver god who maintains balance. Often shown reclining on a serpent or as avatars like Krishna.

  3. Devi: Great goddess, seen as both a creator and destroyer. Mother of Ganesha, often shown riding a lion.

  4. Yoni: Symbol of female reproductive energy, often paired with Shiva's linga.

  5. Linga: Symbol of Shiva, representing cosmic energy.

  6. Mt. Meru: Sacred mountain at the center of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology.

  7. King Ashoka: Emperor of the Gupta Empire who spread Buddhism along the Silk Road.

  8. Mudras: Hand gestures representing spiritual teachings.

  9. Karma: Cause and effect of actions (positive actions bring positive outcomes).

Other Terms

  1. Corbelled Arch/Roof: A type of stone arch held by gravity, not mortar.

  2. Balustrade: A decorative railing.

  3. Jahangir-Nama: Biography of Emperor Jahangir, with detailed folio paintings.

  4. Shaykh: Muslim religious leader or teacher.

  5. Legalism: Strict adherence to laws, focused on centralized power.

Key People

  1. Prince Siddhartha Gautama: Founder of Buddhism, who became enlightened as the Buddha.

  2. King Ashoka: Gupta ruler who helped Buddhism flourish along the Silk Road.

Here are simplified definitions for the art pieces to help you memorize them more easily:

Unit 5: West, Central, Southeast Asia

  1. Petra, Jordan: Treasury and Great Temple (#181)

    • Culture: Nabataean Ptolemaic and Roman

    • Date: c. 400 BCE-100 CE

    • Material: Cut rock

    • Summary: Ancient rock-cut city with ornate facades.

  2. Buddha, Bamiyan (#182)

    • Culture: Gandharan

    • Date: c. 400-800 CE (destroyed in 2001)

    • Material: Cut rock, plaster, and paint

    • Summary: Giant Buddha statues in cliffs of Afghanistan.

  3. Jowo Rinpoche, Jokhang Temple (#184)

    • Culture: Yarlung Dynasty, Tibet

    • Date: Brought to Tibet in 641 CE

    • Material: Gilt metals, gems, pearls, and paint

    • Summary: Sacred Buddha statue, centerpiece of Tibetan Buddhism.

  4. Great Stupa at Sanchi (#192)

    • Culture: Maurya/Sunga Dynasty, India

    • Date: c. 300 BCE-100 CE

    • Material: Stone masonry, sandstone

    • Summary: Dome-shaped Buddhist shrine for meditation.

  5. Terra Cotta Warriors (#193)

    • Culture: Qin Dynasty, China

    • Date: c. 221-209 BCE

    • Material: Painted terra cotta

    • Summary: Life-sized army in Qin emperor's tomb.

  6. Funeral Banner of Lady Dai

    • Culture: Han Dynasty, China

    • Date: c. 180 BCE

    • Material: Painted silk

    • Summary: Burial banner depicting the afterlife.

  7. Longmen Caves

    • Culture: Tang Dynasty, China

    • Date: 493-1127 CE

    • Material: Limestone

    • Summary: Carved caves filled with Buddhist sculptures.

  8. Gold and Jade Crown

    • Culture: Silla Kingdom, Korea

    • Date: 5th-6th century CE

    • Material: Gold and jade

    • Summary: Ceremonial crown for Korean royalty.

  9. Todai-ji (#197)

    • Culture: Japan (Kei School)

    • Date: 743 CE, rebuilt c. 1700

    • Material: Bronze and wood sculptures; wood architecture

    • Summary: Largest wooden Buddhist temple with giant Buddha.

  10. Borobudur Temple (#198)

  • Culture: Sailendra Dynasty, Java

  • Date: c. 750-842 CE

  • Material: Volcanic stone

  • Summary: Massive Buddhist stupa and pilgrimage site.

  1. Angkor Wat (#199)

  • Culture: Hindu, Angkor Dynasty

  • Date: c. 800-1400 CE

  • Material: Stone masonry, sandstone

  • Summary: Hindu temple complex in Cambodia.

  1. Lakshmana Temple (#200)

  • Culture: Hindu, Chandella Dynasty

  • Date: c. 930-950 CE

  • Material: Stone

  • Summary: Elaborate Hindu temple with erotic carvings.

  1. Travelers Among Mountains and Streams

  • Artist: Fan Kuan

  • Date: c. 1000 CE

  • Material: Ink on silk

  • Summary: Chinese landscape painting celebrating nature.

  1. Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja)

  • Culture: Chola Dynasty, India

  • Date: 11th century CE

  • Material: Cast bronze

  • Summary: Shiva dancing to destroy and recreate the universe.

  1. Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace (#203)

  • Culture: Kamakura Period, Japan

  • Date: c. 1250-1300 CE

  • Material: Ink and color on paper

  • Summary: Handscroll depicting a historic battle.

  1. The David Vases

  • Culture: Yuan Dynasty, China

  • Date: 1351 CE

  • Material: White porcelain with cobalt blue

  • Summary: Pair of decorative vases for altars.

  1. Portrait of Sin Sukju

  • Culture: Korea, Joseon Dynasty

  • Date: 15th century CE

  • Material: Ink and color on silk

  • Summary: Portrait honoring a loyal Korean official.

  1. Forbidden City (#206)

  • Culture: Ming Dynasty, China

  • Date: 15th century CE

  • Material: Stone, marble, wood, and ceramic

  • Summary: Walled imperial palace in Beijing.

  1. Ryoan-ji (#207)

  • Culture: Muromachi Period, Japan

  • Date: c. 1480 CE

  • Material: Rock garden

  • Summary: Zen Buddhist temple with a minimalist garden.

  1. Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings

  • Artist: Bichitr

  • Date: c. 1620 CE

  • Material: Watercolor, gold, and ink on paper

  • Summary: Mughal emperor prioritizing spirituality.

  1. White and Red Plum Blossoms

  • Artist: Ogata Korin

  • Date: c. 1710-1716 CE

  • Material: Ink and gold on paper

  • Summary: Abstract Japanese painting of plum trees.

  1. Under the Wave off Kanagawa (The Great Wave)

  • Artist: Katsushika Hokusai

  • Date: 1830-1833 CE

  • Material: Woodblock print

  • Summary: Iconic wave with Mount Fuji in the background.

  1. Chairman Mao en Route to Anyuan

  • Culture: Communist China

  • Date: 1969 CE

  • Material: Color lithograph

  • Summary: Propaganda portrait of Mao as a leader.

Let me know if you'd like further breakdowns of comparative pieces!