CULTURALCULTURALINFLUENCESIN ANCIENTINDIA –INDIABUDDHISM

Prepared by : Mrs.S.H.R.Jawahar Benazir / Mrs.K.Ramya

• Buddhism is a religion andphilosophy encompassing a varietyp p y p g yof traditions, beliefs and practices,largely based on teachingsattributed to Siddhartha Gautama,

• In some classifications Vajrayana—aspracticed mainly in Tibet andMongolia, and adjacent parts of

commonly known as the " Buddha -the awakened one”.

• Two major branches of Buddhism are"

China and Russia —is recognized as athird branch, while others classify it asa part of Mahayana.

recognized: THERAVADATHERAVADA ("TheSchool of the Elders") andMAHAYANAMAHAYANA ("The Great Vehicle").

• Theravada has a widespread

• Buddhist Architecture has its rootsdeeply planted in Indian 'soil' - bothphysically, in relation to existingconstruction styles and• Theravada has a widespread

following in Sri Lanka and SoutheastAsia.

• Mahayana is found throughout East

construction styles, andphilosophically, in relation tovarious cosmic theories thatinfluenced the layout of sacred sitesMahayana is found throughout East

Asia and includes the traditions ofPure Land, Zen, NichirenBuddhism, Tibetan Buddhism,

influenced the layout of sacred sites.• The development of various symbolsrepresenting aspects of the Buddha'slife (563 - 483 BCE) was the, ,

Shingon, Tiantai (Tendai) andShinnyo-en.

( )beginning of a specifically Buddhistarchitecture.

• Traditional building styles wouldhave been used but it was themode of decoration which began toh b ld

• Probably the most significant site is atSanchi where as well as having one ofthe best preserved Indian stupas, thef ll f B ddh dset these buildings apart.

• As support for the new religionincreased so too did the need forb ildi d h

full range of Buddhist art andarchitecture from the third century BC tothe twelfth AD can be studied here.Th h f f ifi ll B ddhibuildings to accommodate the

requirements of the expandingmonastic order.Al h h k i

• The other form of specifically Buddhistconstruction that evolved quite earlywas the rock-cut monastery.F b i i b i i• Although stonework was quite

common wood was still the mainmedium and the skill to erect stonestructures enclosing appreciable

• For about six centuries, beginningaround 100 BCE, several monasterieswere hewn from the cliffs and rock wallsof valleysstructures enclosing appreciable

space had yet to be developed.• The earliest Buddhist constructionof significance was the stupa; but

of valleys.• Probably the most famous of these is atAjanta. Their development is looked atunder CAVESof significance was the stupa; but

these were sculpture not structure.under CAVES.

• And hence the basic plan of the Buddhist templebl h d i his established: an entrance area with a square

or rectangular central covered hall or opencourtyard.

• The outward structure is modelled on the key

CourtyardCourtyard

• The outward structure is modelled on the keyconcept of Mt Meru.

• The basic floor plan is seen in the early cavemonasteries (with meditation cells added) andEntrance Area Entrance Area monasteries (with meditation cells added) andthe structural form in the Mahabodhi temple andBorobudur stupa.

BASIC PLAN BASIC PLAN

Entrance Area Entrance Area

STUPA AND ASOKA PILLAR, VAISHALI, BIHARSTUPA AND ASOKA PILLAR, VAISHALI, BIHAR

DHARMAKSHA STUPA, SARNATHDHARMAKSHA STUPA, SARNATH

STUPASSTUPAS OFOF THETHE 33RDRDSTUPASSTUPAS OFOF THETHE 33RDRDCENTURYCENTURY BB..CC..,, BHOJPUR,BHOJPUR,MADHYAMADHYA PRADESHPRADESH..

STUPASTUPA--SANCHISANCHI

Sanchi is 68 kilometers north of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh

STUPASTUPA--SANCHISANCHI

STUPASTUPA--SANCHISANCHI

• Stupas were built of stones or

STUPASSTUPAS• The Great stupa has a largep

bricks, or mark important placesassociated with Buddhism or tohouse important relics (leftovers) of

p ghemispherical dome which is flat at thetop, and crowned by a triple umbrella orChattra on a pedestal surrounded by a

Buddha. Ashok Maurya who laidthe foundation of this group ofmonuments is said to have built

squaresquare railingrailing oror HarmikaHarmika..

• Buddha's relics were placed in a casketchamber in the centre of the Dome.

84,000 stupas.• The best examples of stupas arethose constructed at AMARAVATI,S C G

• At the base of the dome is a high circularterrace probably meant for parikramaparikramaoror circumambulationcircumambulation and an encircling

SANCHI, BARHUT AND GAYA.• "One of the most strikingarchitectural remains of ancientd " d h l d l

balustrade.• At the ground level is a stone-pavedprocession path and another stone

India" and the earliest and largestof the three stupas found in Sanchiwas built by Ashoka (273-236B C )

Balustrade and two flights of stepsleading to the circular terrace.

• Access to it is through four carvedB.C.) gateways or Toranas in the North, South,

East and West.

• Sanchi in Raisen district of MadhyaSANCHI SANCHI STUPASTUPA

Pradesh is famous for its magnificentBuddhist monuments and edifices.

• Situated on a hill, these beautiful and well-d d hpreserved stupas depict the various stages

of development of Buddhist art andarchitecture over a period of thirteenhundred yearshundred years.

• The Great Stupa is 120 feet across (36.6meters) and, excluding the railing andumbrella, is 54 feet high (16.46 meters).umbrella, is 54 feet high (16.46 meters).

• Stupas may be made of brick, brick andrubble, or encased in masonry.

• The present stupa encases an earlier one of about half its present dimensionsThe present stupa encases an earlier one of about half its present dimensions.• The earlier one, built of large burnt bricks and mud, has been attributed to theEmperor Ashoka, the main reasons being that the level of its floor is the same, andthat the bricks used in it resemble those in other Ashokan structures.

• The diameter of the stupa is 36.60 metres and its height is 16.46 metres. It is builtof large burnt bricks and mud mortar.

• The first Torana gateway to be built is the

SANCHI SANCHI STUPA STUPA -- TORANATORANAg y

one at the principal entrance on the South.• Each gateway has two square pillars.• Crowning each pillar on all four sides are

fourfour elephants,elephants, fourfour lionslions andand fourfourdwarfsdwarfs..

• The four dwarfs support a superstructureof three architraves or carved panels oneabove the other.

• Between these are intricately carvedelephants and riders on horsebackelephants and riders on horseback.

• The lowest architrave is supported onexquisitely carved bracket figures.

• The panels are decorated with finelyThe panels are decorated with finelycarved figures of men, women, yakshas,lions and elephants.

• The entire panel of the gateways isp g ycovered with sculptured scenes .

• The Buddhist monastic

TAKHTTAKHT--II--BAHAIBAHAI

complex of TakhtTakht--ii--BahaiBahai (Throne(Throne ofofOrigins)Origins) was founded inh l 1the early 1st century.Owing to its location onthe crest of a high hill, itescaped successiveescaped successiveinvasions and is stillexceptionally wellpreserved.preserved.

• The Takht-i-Bahi is situated on topof a 152 m high hill, about 80 kmf P h d 16 k thfrom Peshawar and 16 km north-west of the city of Mardan.• The name Takht-i-Bahi derivesf th i th hillt dfrom the spring on the hilltop andis literally translated as 'Spring'SpringThrone‘Throne‘..

• The principal buildings are contained within • A stupa court on the southThe principal buildings are contained withina rectangle of approximately 200’ inlength, consists of:

A stupa court on the south

• The monastery on the north

TAKHTTAKHT--II--BAHAIBAHAI

• Enclosing the court on three sides wasa range of small chapels , eachcontaining a cell or niche , not as in theh f

• An intervening terrace for thereception of votive stupas , smallchapels & structural contributions.

hinayana face.• The roof of the chapels were sodesigned that a cupola alternatedi h f il l h

• To the west of the monastery is aconference or assembly hall.

• The courtyard was an openwith a trefoil vault, each anarchitecturally decorative motif anddepicting a separate constructionaltradition for the former was derived

quadrangle measuring 45’ by 55’.

• In the center, on a platform of 20’side and 8’ high , rose the tall tradition, for the former was derived

from the anchorite’s bee hive hut andlater from the conventional shape ofthe Chaitya hall.

tapering stupa, which with its sixtiered umbrella, reached a totalheight of 50’. the Chaitya hall.

• The cells or the monastery hadunadorned walls protected by averandah .it had the stone bed for

• An elegant stairway on the north sidegave access to the platform forcircumbulation , but the ordinary verandah .it had the stone bed for

relaxing and a small niche to act asshelf.

processional path was around thequadrangle at the base.

•• Ch itCh it ihih h llh ll f

CHAITYA HALLCHAITYA HALL•• ChaityaChaitya grihasgrihas oror hallshalls ofworship were built all overthe country either of brick orexcavated from rocksexcavated from rocks.

• Ruins of a large number of structural BuddhistRuins of a large number of structural Buddhistchaitya grihas are found in the eastern districts ofAndhra Pradesh, in valleys, near rivers and lakes.• The largest brick chaitya hall was excavated atGuntapalli.• Some of the most beautiful rock-cut caves are thoseat Ajanta, ElIora, Bhaja, Karle, Bagh, Nasik andKanheri. Some of the chunar sand-stone rock­-cutchaityas of Bhaja. Kondane.• Karle and Ajanta, all in Maharashtra state are

li ti d b l t th fi t hearlier excavations and belong to the first phase orHinayana creed of Buddhism and are similar to thebrick and wooden structures of Ashokan times.

• Some of the chaityas show thatwood had been used in thewood had been used in theroofing and entrance arches.• The chaitya at Bhaja is a longhall 16.75 m long and 8 mgbroad with an apse at the end.• The hall is divided into a centralnave and an aisle on either sideflanked by two rows of pillars.The roof is vaulted.

• The rock-cut stupa in the apse is crowned by a wooden harmika.

KARLE, CHAITYA HALLKARLE, CHAITYA HALL

The rock cut stupa in the apse is crowned by a wooden harmika.• The chaitya has a large arched torana or entrance with anarched portico.• Hinayana rock architecture reaches the peak of excellence in they psplendid chaitya at Karle.• The second phase of Buddhist architecture is marked by theMahayana creed of Buddhism seen in some of the excellent rock-cut chaityas at Ajanta in Aurangabad district of Maharashtraexcavated between 5th AD and 9th century AD during the rule ofthe Vakatakas, the Guptas and the Rashtrakutas.

• The caves were first discovered in the beginning ofthe 19th century.• The caves are excavated from a semi circular steep• The caves are excavated from a semi-circular steeprock with a stream flowing below, and were meantfor the use of the monks who spent the rainy seasonthere in meditation.there in meditation.• The caves are at different levels and have stairsleading down to the stream.• The chaityas have a vaulted ceiling with a hugehorse-shoe shaped window or chaitya window overthe doorway.• A remarkable feature of these Chaityas is theimitation of woodwork on rock.• Beams and rafters were carved in the rock thoughthey serve no purpose.• F th fi i h d t id f th• From the unfinished caves, we get an idea of themethod of excavation.• Starting from the ceiling, they worked downwards.• Solid blocks were left to be carved into pillarsSolid blocks were left to be carved into pillars.• After finishing the verandah, they excavated theinterior.

CHAITYA HALL AT KARLICHAITYA HALL AT KARLI

• It is an architectural gem shows usual nave inthe center divided from the side aisles bypillars and terminating in the apse whichpillars and terminating in the apse whichcontains the stupa.

• There are two solid octagonal columns and twoll h d h h f h b lpillars at the sides which forms the vestibule.

• In front of these standing columns stood a pairof simha stambhas ( lion pillar); the column withthe bell shaped column surmounted by 4 lionsback to back resembles the lion pillar atSaranath.

• Above the screen rises a plain wall which hasnow disappeared .

• O t f th l i ll t d d f ill• On top of the plain wall stand dwarf pillars,between which light penetrates not only to thevestibule but through the great Chaityawindow of the façade to the interior of thewindow of the façade to the interior of themagnificent hall.

• A high barrel vault with ribs formedof separate pieces of wood fixed byplugs into the rock covers the naveplugs into the rock covers the nave.

• The seven remaining pillars withoutbase and capital stands in the apseat the far end around the back ofat the far end around the back ofthe stupa.

• The central stupa has the harmikawith inverted stepped pyramid andan umbrella

• Three entrances lead into the hall .• The central one meant for themembers of the sangha had a raisedpathway into the nave.

• 37 pillars adorn the interior of theh ll 30 f th b l i t th t

• An inverted lotus capital with the ribbedl l d d h b bhall. 30 of them belonging to the opt

based type, richly carved. eachstands on a diminishing squares.

• on this rest the pot like base which

element placed inside the box above itcrowns the octagonal columns.

• The abacus which repeats the form of thestepped base but in reverse orderon this rest the pot like base which

appears to hold the bottom of thepillar.

stepped base but in reverse order,supports finely sculptured groups offigures mounted on elephants and horses.

Vih t i

VIHARASVIHARAS• Viharas or monasteriesconstructed with brick orexcavated from rocks are foundin different parts of Indiain different parts of India.

• These monastic buildings built ofbricks were self-contained unitsb c s we e se co a ed u sand had a Chaitya hall orChaitya mandir attached to astupa - the chief object of • These cells served as dwelling (living) places

ROCKROCK--CUT VIHARA, NASIKCUT VIHARA, NASIK

worship.

• They have a hall meant for

for the monks.• Some of the important Buddhist viharas arethose at Ajanta, Ellora. Nasik, Karle, Kanheri,

congregational prayer with averandah running on three sidesor an open courtyard

d d b f ll

j , , , ,Bagh and Badami.

• The Hinayana viharas found in these placeshave many interesting features whichsurrounded by a row of cells

and a pillared verandah infront.

have many interesting features whichdifferentiate them from the Mahayana type inthe same regions.

• The columns have a square base withfigures of dwarfs and elaboratelycarved brackets (supports) and( pp )capitals.

• Below the capital is a square abacuswith finely carved designs.

• The walls and the ceilings of the cavecontain the most exquisite paintings.

THREE STOREYED VIHARA, ELLORATHREE STOREYED VIHARA, ELLORA

• Though plain , they are large halls withcells excavated in the walls on three sides.• The hall has one or more entrances.e a as o e o o e e a ces• The small cells, each with a door have oneor two stone platforms to serve as beds.• The viharas of Ellora dated 400 AD to 7th

TYPICALTYPICAL VIHARAVIHARA PLANPLAN

century AD are of one, two, and threestoreys and are the largest of the type.

BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY

• Percy Brown, Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu period),

Taraporevala and sons, Bombay, 1983

• Satish Grover, The Architecture of India (Buddhist and Hindu period),

Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi, 1981

• http://www.wikipedia.org/

• http://www.google.co.in/

htt //i di i k /• http://indiapicks.com/