Indian and South-East Asian Art Professor A. D’Ascoli

Indian and South-East Asian Art

Professor A. D’Ascoli

Indian CivilizationIndian Civilization

• 2500 – 1550 BCE Indus Valley & Saraswati 2500 – 1550 BCE Indus Valley & Saraswati Civilizations – built cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Civilizations – built cities of Mohenjo-Daro and HarappaHarappa

• 1500 BCE – Hinduism develops1500 BCE – Hinduism develops• 1000 – 600 BCE – Vedic Period (Aryan Migrations)1000 – 600 BCE – Vedic Period (Aryan Migrations)• 88thth century BCE – Caste system is firmly established century BCE – Caste system is firmly established• 66thth – 5 – 5thth centuries BCE – Jainism and Buddhism centuries BCE – Jainism and Buddhism

appearappear• 563 – 483 BCE – Life of Gautama Buddha563 – 483 BCE – Life of Gautama Buddha• 550 BCE – Vedas are written down by the Aryans550 BCE – Vedas are written down by the Aryans


• 326 BCE – Alexander the Great invades India326 BCE – Alexander the Great invades India• 324 – 301 BCE – Chandragupta Maurya rules 324 – 301 BCE – Chandragupta Maurya rules

and establishes an Indian Empire (established and establishes an Indian Empire (established by Alexander as ruler in his name)by Alexander as ruler in his name)

• 269 – 232 BCE – Ashoka rules – Buddhism 269 – 232 BCE – Ashoka rules – Buddhism spreadsspreads

• 250 BCE – Sarnath is made capital of India250 BCE – Sarnath is made capital of India• 11stst century BCE – Bhagavad Gita is written century BCE – Bhagavad Gita is written

(One of Hindu Holy Books) (One of Hindu Holy Books) http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA3tXytB408 v=PA3tXytB408

Caste SystemCaste System• Indian society is divided into 4 distinct classes Indian society is divided into 4 distinct classes

or castes:or castes:• (1) Brahmins – priests, leaders, seers and (1) Brahmins – priests, leaders, seers and

religious authorities;religious authorities;• (2) Kshatriyas – originally the kings and (2) Kshatriyas – originally the kings and

warriors of the ancient past, now they are the warriors of the ancient past, now they are the administrators, politicians and civil administrators, politicians and civil authorities;authorities;

• (3) Vaishyas – businessmen, merchants, (3) Vaishyas – businessmen, merchants, traders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.; and traders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.; and

• (4) Shudras – they are the laborers, the (4) Shudras – they are the laborers, the servant class. servant class.

• However, even beneath the Shudras are the However, even beneath the Shudras are the Outcastes – called the ‘untouchables’ – these Outcastes – called the ‘untouchables’ – these are members of Indian society who fall outside are members of Indian society who fall outside of any of the castes and are therefore avoided of any of the castes and are therefore avoided by members of the other classes completely by members of the other classes completely


• 4 Major religions exist in India today 4 Major religions exist in India today – 3 which are indigenous– 3 which are indigenous

• Jainism Jainism • Buddhism Buddhism • MuslimMuslim• Hinduism Hinduism

Indian Religions - Indian Religions - HinduismHinduism

• Origins are unknown (1500 – 500 BCE)Origins are unknown (1500 – 500 BCE)• Hindu derives from Sanskrit word for Hindu derives from Sanskrit word for

Indus RiverIndus River• Hindu worship focuses on a pantheon of Hindu worship focuses on a pantheon of

gods who personify the forces of nature gods who personify the forces of nature (not an historical person or prophet)(not an historical person or prophet)

• At the center of the Hindu religion is At the center of the Hindu religion is the idea of Brahman – the indivisible the idea of Brahman – the indivisible essence of all spiritual reality, the essence of all spiritual reality, the divine source of all being divine source of all being


• Brahman’s 3 functions are divided Brahman’s 3 functions are divided into 3 gods:into 3 gods:

• (1) Brahma – the creator – not the (1) Brahma – the creator – not the same as Brahman; same as Brahman;

• (2) Vishnu – the preserver; and (2) Vishnu – the preserver; and • (3) Shiva – the destroyer. (3) Shiva – the destroyer.

Brahman: Essence of Brahman: Essence of RealityReality

He is not ultimate reality because he can be visualized.

Brahma’s life span = each day is 1000 times the whole of human history.

The world will end with the appearance of Vishnu and is about 4000 years from now.


• The idea of The idea of kharmakharma is also central to Hindi is also central to Hindi thoughtthought

• KharmaKharma means action, however the concept of means action, however the concept of kharmakharma involves moral cause and effect (you involves moral cause and effect (you get what you put out)get what you put out)

• People’s accumulation of these moral actions People’s accumulation of these moral actions will determine the form in which he or she will will determine the form in which he or she will reincarnatereincarnate

• Because of this people’s current condition Because of this people’s current condition (poor, deformed, etc) is believed to have been (poor, deformed, etc) is believed to have been caused by your previous misuse of your earlier caused by your previous misuse of your earlier existenceexistence

• Ancient Hindu society reflects these religious Ancient Hindu society reflects these religious beliefs in their caste system. beliefs in their caste system.

9 Basic Hindu Beliefs9 Basic Hindu Beliefs

• Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.and Unmanifest Reality.

• Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion.the eternal religion.

• Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.

• Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.thoughts, words and deeds.

9 Basic Hindu Beliefs9 Basic Hindu Beliefs• Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births

until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be deprived of this destiny.

• Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments and personal devotionals create a communion with these devas and Gods.

• Hindus believe that an enlightened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry, meditation and surrender in God.

• Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in thought, word and deed.

• Hindus believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are facets of God's Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

•

HinduismHinduism

• http://http://indianterrorism.bravepages.com/indianterrorism.bravepages.com/hinduextremismup.htm hinduextremismup.htm

• http://http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/2011/03/30/hindu-extremism-and-2011/03/30/hindu-extremism-and-christian-persecution-in-india/ christian-persecution-in-india/

THE TWO MOST THE TWO MOST POPULAR GODSPOPULAR GODS

SHIVAVISHNU

KrishnaRama

Avatars of VishnuAvatars of Vishnu

GoddessesGoddesses

Lakshmi Saraswati

KaliKali

Wife of Shiva

Black in color & wearing a necklace of skulls.

She is a bloodthirsty goddess.

A violent destroyer of her enemies

affectionate and caring for her devotees.

.

The Ganges The Ganges RiverRiver

Falling fromits source of Vishnu’s feetonto Shiva’shead and outfrom his hair, the water ofthe Ganges issacred enoughto purify all sins.

Indian Religions - Indian Religions - JainismJainism

• The ultimate goal of Jainism is the same The ultimate goal of Jainism is the same as in Buddhism and Hinduism – which is as in Buddhism and Hinduism – which is the escape from the cycle of the escape from the cycle of samsara samsara (the (the transmigration of the soul (reincarnation) transmigration of the soul (reincarnation)

• Jainism, more than any other Indian Jainism, more than any other Indian religion, focuses on self-reliance and religion, focuses on self-reliance and responsibility for one’s own fateresponsibility for one’s own fate

• Jainism is a very ethical faith – it Jainism is a very ethical faith – it emphasizes virtue, self-control and non-emphasizes virtue, self-control and non-violence to all life forms violence to all life forms

Indian Religions - Indian Religions - BuddhismBuddhism

• The historical Buddha was born Siddharta The historical Buddha was born Siddharta Gautama Sakya (563 – 483 BCE) and was a Gautama Sakya (563 – 483 BCE) and was a prince of a kingdom in the foothills of the prince of a kingdom in the foothills of the Himalayas, in present day Nepal. He is also Himalayas, in present day Nepal. He is also known as Sayakamuni (the sage)known as Sayakamuni (the sage)

• He achieved enlightenment and then traveled He achieved enlightenment and then traveled the countryside preaching and educating the countryside preaching and educating others on the path to enlightenment. others on the path to enlightenment.

• He taught the importance of the Middle Path – He taught the importance of the Middle Path – rejecting both extremes – those of asceticism rejecting both extremes – those of asceticism which only weakens the mind and the body which only weakens the mind and the body and indulgence which obstructs wisdom and indulgence which obstructs wisdom


• Buddha set forth the Four Noble Truths and Buddha set forth the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path of the dharma (religious truth or Eightfold Path of the dharma (religious truth or law)law)

• The 4 Noble truths are:The 4 Noble truths are:• (1) Life consists of suffering, impermanence, (1) Life consists of suffering, impermanence,

imperfection and incompleteness; imperfection and incompleteness; • (2) the cause of life’s suffering is selfishness; (2) the cause of life’s suffering is selfishness; • (3) Suffering and selfishness can be brought to an (3) Suffering and selfishness can be brought to an

end;end;• (4) The answer to life’s problems of suffering is (4) The answer to life’s problems of suffering is

the eightfold Path. the eightfold Path.


• The Eightfold path consists of: The Eightfold path consists of: • (1) knowledge of the 4 Noble Truths; (1) knowledge of the 4 Noble Truths; • (2) right aspiration to the goal of enlightenment (2) right aspiration to the goal of enlightenment

(nirvana); (nirvana); • (3) right speech that is honest and charitable;(3) right speech that is honest and charitable;• (4) right conduct – no drinking, killing, lying or (4) right conduct – no drinking, killing, lying or

having lust;having lust;• (5) right living according to the goals of Buddhism; (5) right living according to the goals of Buddhism; • (6) right effort; (6) right effort; • (7) right thinking with a focus on self-awareness; and(7) right thinking with a focus on self-awareness; and• (8) right use of meditation to achieve enlightenment. (8) right use of meditation to achieve enlightenment.

Buddhism - extremistsBuddhism - extremists

• http://www.compassdirect.org/http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/bangladesh/17879 english/country/bangladesh/17879

• http://http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/news/buddhist_extremists_brutally_attack_buddhist_extremists_brutally_attack_catholic_church_in_sri_lanka/catholic_church_in_sri_lanka/

Great bath

Mohenjo-daro

Pakistan

2600-1900 B.C.E.

Oldest South East Asian city

Robed Male Figure

from Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan

ca. 2000-1900 B.C.E.steatite6 7/8 in. high

Indian ArtIndian Art

• Indus Valley SealsIndus Valley Seals• 3000 – 1500 BCE3000 – 1500 BCE• Indus Valley, IndiaIndus Valley, India• Cared in intaglio Cared in intaglio

(negative relief)(negative relief)• Written language Written language

that is still that is still undeciphered undeciphered above animal above animal designsdesigns


• GaneshaGanesha• 1212thth century CE century CE• Southern Deccan Southern Deccan

Karnataka, IndiaKarnataka, India• From Hoyshala Period From Hoyshala Period

when Hinduism was when Hinduism was enjoying a resurgenceenjoying a resurgence

• Ganesha is a Hindu Ganesha is a Hindu god that is associated god that is associated with playfulness and with playfulness and prosperityprosperity


• Lion CapitalLion Capital• 250 BCE 250 BCE • Sarnath, IndiaSarnath, India• Mauryan era – Mauryan era –

erected by Ashoka to erected by Ashoka to mark a place of mark a place of significance to the significance to the BuddhaBuddha

• As lions are powerful As lions are powerful animals – so Buddha animals – so Buddha was a powerful was a powerful teacherteacher


• Great StupaGreat Stupa• 33rdrd century BCE century BCE• Sanchi, IndiaSanchi, India• The stupa is the The stupa is the

central symbol of central symbol of the Buddhist faith the Buddhist faith ( a temple)( a temple)

• These stupa contain These stupa contain relics of the Buddharelics of the Buddha

• 60 ft in diameter 60 ft in diameter and 25 ft highand 25 ft high


• Gate of the Great Gate of the Great StupaStupa

• 33rdrd – 1 – 1stst centuries BCE centuries BCE• Sanchi, IndiaSanchi, India• The gate is inscribed The gate is inscribed

and carved with tales and carved with tales from the life of the from the life of the Buddha as well as Buddha as well as stories from the epic stories from the epic JatakaJataka tales tales

• Over 30 feet high – Over 30 feet high – there are 4 in totalthere are 4 in total

Great Stupa - detail

Sanchi, India

first century B.C.E. to first century C.E.

Chaitya Hall

Karle, India

ca. 100 C.E.

Chaitya Hall

Karle, India

ca. 100 C.E.

Seated Buddha

from Mathura, India

2nd century C.E.red sandstone27 1/2 in. high

ushnisha

mudra

chakra

prana

elongated ears

halo of enlightenment

urna


• Seated BuddhaSeated Buddha• 22ndnd – 3 – 3rdrd century CE century CE• Peshawar District, Peshawar District,

PakistanPakistan• From Kushan eraFrom Kushan era• The Kushans are The Kushans are

credited with creating credited with creating the first the first anthropomorphic icons anthropomorphic icons of the Buddhaof the Buddha

• Greco-Roman Greco-Roman influences in robeinfluences in robe


• Standing BuddhaStanding Buddha• 44thth – 5 – 5thth century CE century CE• Mathura, IndiaMathura, India• Gupta Period work of Gupta Period work of

artart• The Buddha stands The Buddha stands

in calm serenity in calm serenity • Robe is sheer Robe is sheer

breaking from Greco-breaking from Greco-Roman traditionsRoman traditions


• Boshisattva PadmapaniBoshisattva Padmapani• 55thth century CE century CE• Ajanta Caves, IndiaAjanta Caves, India• Gupta period paintingGupta period painting• The serenity in his face The serenity in his face

reflects compassionreflects compassion• Painted in the Painted in the

traditional traditional tribhangatribhanga pose (Standing figure pose (Standing figure with a slightly s-curved with a slightly s-curved body, weight shifted to body, weight shifted to one leg) one leg)

Indian ArtIndian Art• Kandariya Mahadeo TempleKandariya Mahadeo Temple• 1025 – 1050 CE1025 – 1050 CE• Khajuraho, IndiaKhajuraho, India• The largest tower is over The largest tower is over

100 feet tall100 feet tall• There are 84 smaller There are 84 smaller

towerstowers• Placed on a masonry Placed on a masonry

platform to add to its height platform to add to its height and promote its majestyand promote its majesty

• Full of erotic relief Full of erotic relief sculpturesculpture


• Taj MahalTaj Mahal• Agra, IndiaAgra, India• 1630 -1648 CE1630 -1648 CE• This is actually a This is actually a

mausoleummausoleum• Built by Shah Jahan Built by Shah Jahan

as a tribute to his as a tribute to his wife Mumatz Mahalwife Mumatz Mahal

• Islamic influence is Islamic influence is clearly seen hereclearly seen here

Indian ArtIndian Art• Shiva Nataraja (Lord of Shiva Nataraja (Lord of

the Dance)the Dance)• 1111thth – 12 – 12thth century CE century CE• Chola, IndiaChola, India• This is probably the This is probably the

most famous of Indian most famous of Indian iconsicons

• Shiva symbolizes both Shiva symbolizes both the creative and the creative and destructive forces in the destructive forces in the universeuniverse

• A ring of fire surrounds A ring of fire surrounds him as his hair flies out him as his hair flies out in both directionsin both directions


• Tirumala Sri Tirumala Sri VenkateswaraVenkateswara

• 1616thth century CE century CE• Tirupati, IndiaTirupati, India• Temple complex Temple complex

covers over 2 covers over 2 acres of landacres of land


• Sabarimala TempleSabarimala Temple• 800-1000 CE800-1000 CE• Kerala, IndiaKerala, India• Series of Pilgrimage Series of Pilgrimage

Temples where strict Temples where strict rules must be rules must be followed to enterfollowed to enter

• Only men, women in Only men, women in menopause over 50 or menopause over 50 or girls under 10 are girls under 10 are allowed insideallowed inside


• Akshradham Akshradham TempleTemple

• 2005 CE2005 CE• Delhi, IndiaDelhi, India• Built to represent Built to represent

the Hindu the Hindu religion in religion in allegoryallegory

• 141 feet high141 feet high


• Lotus Bah’ai TempleLotus Bah’ai Temple• 19861986• Delhi, IndiaDelhi, India• Home of the Ba’hai Home of the Ba’hai

faith in Indiafaith in India• Built to represent a Built to represent a

Lotus flowerLotus flower• In Ba’hai faith all In Ba’hai faith all

religions are welcome religions are welcome to come and worship to come and worship god in whatever formgod in whatever form


• Golden Temple (Hari Golden Temple (Hari Mandir)Mandir)

• 1581-1606 CE1581-1606 CE• Amritsar, IndiaAmritsar, India• A spot where the A spot where the

Buddha and several Buddha and several Gurus used to Gurus used to meditate, it was meditate, it was formerly a small rock formerly a small rock in a lake surrounded in a lake surrounded by a forestby a forest

Indian Erotic ArtIndian Erotic Art

Indian Erotic ArtIndian Erotic Art

Southeast Asian ArtSoutheast Asian Art

Bamayan Buddhas (destroyed)

Bamayan, Afghanistan

3rd century C.E.

150 feet tall

Bamayan Buddhas (destroyed)

Bamayan, Afghanistan

3rd century C.E.

150 feet tall

Death of the Buddha (Parinirvana)

Gal Virhara, Sri Lanka

11th - 12th century C.E.

Cosmic Mountain

Borobudur, Java, Indonesia

ca. 800 C.E.400 ft. wide

Angkor, Cambodia

12th century C.E.

Angkor Wat

Angkor, Cambodia

12th century C.E.

Angkor Wat

Angkor, Cambodia

12th century C.E.

Towers of the Bayon

Angkor Thom, Cambodia

12th to 13th centuries C.E.

Towers of the Bayon

Angkor Thom, Cambodia

12th to 13th centuries C.E.

Bagan. Bagan, Myanmar (formerly Burma): Bagan. Bagan, Myanmar (formerly Burma): Ancient temples and pagodas, including Ancient temples and pagodas, including

Sunset Temple (1057). 1057-1287.Sunset Temple (1057). 1057-1287.16 square miles.16 square miles.

The End . .. The End . ..

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Indian and South-East Asian Art Professor A. D’Ascoli