Studies In Buddhist Iconography

On its broadest level, this book contributes to an ongoing expansion of both the history of religions and Buddhist studies by focusing on what is a far too frequently ignored aspect of religious experience: visual images. This is a study that is intended to speak to, and be relevant for, not only those interested specifically in Buddhism, but also scholars and students in the field of religion at large who are interested in the dialectical ways abstract, abstruse and even rarified textual discourses interact with devotional practices 'on the ground'. The specific focus of this book is on the Buddhist visual practices surrounding the visual representation of a single, central concept, prajna, or wisdom, in medieval north India. Prajna, however, was not only an intellectual state and spiritual goal to which to aspire. Rather, wisdom also becomes a quality to be visually represented and ritually responded to, and even an active presence to be venerated in much the same manner as the Buddha himself. This book explores the ways in which the production and use of artistic images involving prajna constituted a central, if not the central, component of Buddhist religious practice in Medieval India.

The Present Volume Is An Outcome Of The Expert Discussion On The Theories Of Brahmanism And Buddhism, In An International Meet At Jnana-Pravaha. Philosophical And Artistic Interaction Between The Two Have Been Brilliantly Discussed With References To Famous Places As Well As Texts To Unravel Basic Principles.

Illustrations: 50 B/w Illustrations Description: The present work is an analysis of Buddhist symbolism in historical perspective. In author's view Buddhist symbolism, in art or religion, is but a part of the main current of Indian religion and art and has to be studied in that context. Early Indian art is, thus, essentially the continuation of a mainly aniconic Vedic style and the compositions are comprehensible only with reference to Vedic notions. The present work studies the fundamental elements of Buddhist symbolism which predominate in the early aniconic art and are never dispensed with in the later imagery, though they are subordinated to the human icon. The present study is divided into two parts: in Part 1, the Tree of Life, Earth-Lotus and World-Wheel (and other cognate symbols) have been analyzed; Part II deals with the place of the lotus-throne. A study of these reveals that they represent a universal Indian symbolism and set of theological concepts.

It Is A Collection Of Thirty Essays On Various Aspects Of Hindu And Buddhist Art And Iconography Contributed By Indian And Foreign Scholars. These Represent Deep Insight And New Interpretation Based On Sound Scholarship And Accounts. While Intended To Commemorate The Loving Memory Of Professor Kalyan Kumar Dasgupta, The Book Is A Fitting Tribute To The Great Savant. Professor P.K. Mishra And Publisher M/S Abhinav Publications Have Spared No Pains To Make It An Outstanding Publication Of The Year

The Book Studies The 360 Icons Of The Chu Fo P U-Sa Sheng Hsiang Tsan Pantheon Referring To A Rare Set Of Woodcuts Distinct Among Buddhist Pantheons. It Analyses The Unique Features Of This Pantheon, Pointing Out The Significance Of Each Figure In The Mythological/Theological Framework And Minutely Describing The Iconography Of The Images.