🎀Intro to Art in South Asia Unit 3 – Early Buddhist Art & Architecture in South Asia

Historical Context

• Buddhism emerged in ancient India during the 6th century BCE, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)
• The Buddha's teachings spread rapidly throughout the Indian subcontinent following his death (parinirvana)
• The Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism
  • Emperor Ashoka (r. 268-232 BCE) embraced Buddhism and sponsored the construction of numerous stupas and pillars
• Buddhism continued to flourish during the Kushan Empire (1st-3rd centuries CE), which facilitated the spread of the religion along the Silk Roads
• The decline of Buddhism in India began around the 5th century CE due to the resurgence of Hinduism and the invasion of the Huns
• Despite the decline, Buddhist art and architecture left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of South Asia

Key Concepts and Beliefs

• The Four Noble Truths outline the fundamental teachings of Buddhism: suffering exists, it arises from attachment, it can be overcome, and the path to overcome it is the Eightfold Path
• The Eightfold Path consists of right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration, providing a guide to end suffering
• The concept of karma emphasizes that actions have consequences and influence the cycle of rebirth (samsara)
• Nirvana is the ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth
• The Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) are the core elements of Buddhist faith and practice
• Buddhism is divided into two main branches: Theravada (School of the Elders) and Mahayana (Great Vehicle), each with its own interpretations and practices

Early Buddhist Sites

• The Great Stupa at Sanchi (3rd century BCE - 1st century CE) is one of the oldest and most well-preserved Buddhist monuments in India
  • It features a hemispherical dome (anda), a square railing (vedika), and ornate gateways (toranas) adorned with intricate carvings
• The Ajanta Caves (2nd century BCE - 6th century CE) are a series of 30 rock-cut cave temples featuring stunning paintings and sculptures
  • The caves showcase the evolution of Buddhist art over centuries and the integration of various artistic styles
• The Ellora Caves (6th-10th centuries CE) contain 34 monasteries and temples, representing the coexistence of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism
  • The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is a remarkable example of rock-cut architecture, carved to resemble a free-standing structure
• Nalanda (5th-12th centuries CE) was a renowned Buddhist monastic university, attracting scholars from across Asia
  • The site features extensive ruins of monasteries, temples, and stupas, testifying to its historical significance

Architectural Elements

• Stupas are hemispherical mounds that serve as reliquaries for the remains of the Buddha or important monks
  • They typically consist of a circular base, a dome (anda), a square harmika, and a central pillar (yasti) topped by a series of umbrellas (chattras)
• Viharas are Buddhist monasteries that housed monks and served as centers of learning
  • They often feature a central courtyard surrounded by cells for monks and a shrine room containing a stupa or an image of the Buddha
• Chaityas are prayer halls or shrines, usually with a stupa at one end and a semicircular apse for congregational worship
• Toranas are ornate gateways that mark the entrance to a stupa or sacred precinct
  • They are often adorned with intricate carvings depicting the life of the Buddha and various Buddhist symbols
• Pillars, such as those erected by Ashoka, were used to propagate Buddhist teachings and mark important sites associated with the Buddha's life

Sculptural Traditions

• Early Buddhist sculpture focused on depicting the life of the Buddha and his teachings through narrative scenes and symbolic representations
• The Buddha was initially represented through symbols such as the Bodhi tree, footprints, and the Wheel of Dharma, as there was a reluctance to depict him in human form
• The Gandharan style (1st-5th centuries CE) emerged in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, characterized by Greco-Roman influences
  • Gandharan sculptures featured the Buddha in human form, with wavy hair, a defined nose, and a draped robe, reflecting Hellenistic artistic traditions
• The Mathura style (2nd-5th centuries CE) developed in central India, characterized by a more indigenous Indian aesthetic
  • Mathura sculptures depicted the Buddha with a serene expression, elongated earlobes, and a prominent ushnisha (cranial protuberance), symbolizing his enlightenment
• Yaksha and Yakshini figures, nature spirits associated with fertility and protection, were incorporated into Buddhist art as guardians of the faith
• Bodhisattvas, beings who postpone their own enlightenment to help others, gained prominence in Mahayana Buddhism and were depicted in elaborate princely attire

Symbolism and Iconography

• The Wheel of Dharma (dharmachakra) represents the Buddha's teachings and the path to enlightenment
  • It is often depicted with eight spokes, symbolizing the Eightfold Path
• The lotus flower symbolizes purity, spiritual awakening, and the potential for enlightenment
  • The Buddha and bodhisattvas are often depicted seated or standing on a lotus throne
• The Bodhi tree represents the site of the Buddha's enlightenment and is often depicted in scenes of the Buddha's life
• The Buddha's footprints (Buddhapada) symbolize his presence and the path to enlightenment
  • They are often depicted with auspicious symbols such as the dharmachakra, lotus, and swastika
• Mudras, or hand gestures, convey specific meanings in Buddhist art
  • The Abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness) represents protection and the dispelling of fear
  • The Dhyana mudra (gesture of meditation) signifies concentration and the attainment of enlightenment
  • The Bhumisparsha mudra (earth-touching gesture) represents the Buddha's moment of enlightenment and his calling of the earth to witness

Artistic Techniques

• Stone carving was the primary medium for early Buddhist sculpture
  • Artists used various tools, such as chisels and hammers, to shape and detail the stone
• Stucco, a plaster-like material, was used to create sculptures and decorative elements
  • It allowed for greater flexibility in shaping and molding intricate designs
• Terracotta, a type of fired clay, was used to create small votive stupas and plaques depicting Buddhist scenes
• Metal casting, particularly in bronze, became more prevalent in later periods for the creation of Buddhist statues
  • The lost-wax method was used to create hollow cast sculptures
• Painting techniques, such as fresco and tempera, were used to decorate the walls and ceilings of cave temples
  • The Ajanta Caves showcase the mastery of these techniques, with vibrant colors and intricate compositions

Influence on Later Art

• Early Buddhist art and architecture had a profound influence on the development of artistic traditions in South Asia and beyond
• The Gupta period (4th-6th centuries CE) saw a refinement of Buddhist art, with more naturalistic and idealized depictions of the Buddha and bodhisattvas
  • The Sarnath Buddha, with its elegant drapery and serene expression, epitomizes the Gupta style
• The spread of Buddhism along the Silk Roads facilitated the exchange of artistic ideas and styles between South Asia, Central Asia, and East Asia
  • The Gandharan style influenced Buddhist art in Central Asia and China, particularly in the depiction of the Buddha in human form
• The rock-cut architecture of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves inspired similar cave temples in other parts of Asia, such as the Mogao Caves in China and the Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka
• The legacy of early Buddhist art can be seen in the continued representation of the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and Buddhist symbols in various artistic traditions throughout Asia