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Early Buddhist Architecture and History
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Early Buddhist Architecture and History
Early Buddhist Architecture and History
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1
Question
What two figures emerged in the 6th century BCE rejecting Vedic rituals and warfare?
Page 1
Answer
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) and Mahavira Jain.
2
Question
What was Buddha's primary focus in his teachings?
Page 1
Answer
Meditation-based practices.
3
Question
What was Mahavira Jain's focus that included no farming to avoid killing soil worms?
Page 1
Answer
Radical vegetarianism.
4
Question
How did Ashoka change the role of Buddhism during his reign from 272 to 231 BCE?
Page 1
Answer
Adopted it as state law and moral order; created dharma; made it state religion.
5
Question
On what surfaces did Ashoka inscribe his 33 edicts?
Page 1
Answer
Stone tablets, rock faces, inside cave sanctuaries, pillars (about 20 surviving).
6
Question
What material and example location define Ashokan pillars?
Page 1
Answer
Polished sandstone (single piece). Example: Lauriya Nandangarh (Bihar) – 12m above ground, 3m below.
7
Question
What are the parts of an Ashokan pillar from base to top?
Page 1
Answer
Stylized lotus base, ornamental drum with animal sculptures symbolizing royal authority, capital (e.g., four lions at Sarnath), originally topped by Buddhist wheel of law (modern India symbol).
8
Question
What was the purpose and structure of Ashokan pillars?
Page 1
Answer
Monumental free-standing (not part of building). Two parts: shaft + capital. Shaft tapers upward, two pipes joined by copper bolt.
9
Question
Which four sites did Ashoka memorialize with pillars?
Page 1
Answer
1. Lumbini (birthplace), 2. Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), 3. Sarnath (first sermon), 4. Kushinagar (death).
10
Question
When did human representations of Buddha begin after Ashoka's time?
Page 1
Answer
1st century CE. In Ashoka's time, Buddha was never shown as human figure.
11
Question
What features define the rock-cut caves at Barabar Hills?
Page 1
Answer
Oldest in India (mid-3rd century BCE), 20 miles north of Bodh Gaya, 4 caves each with rectangular hall and round room with hemispherical ceiling.
12
Question
What unique features does the incomplete Lomas Rishi Cave have?
Page 1
Answer
Deep carved openings, wooden roof outline, elephant frieze centered on stupa. Probably dates to Ashoka; exterior may be later.
13
Question
What kingdoms emerged after Mauryan Empire disintegration in late 2nd century BCE?
Page 1
Answer
Sunga (west), Satavahanas (south), Shakas (north).
14
Question
How did Hinayana Buddhism differ from Mahayana in early post-Mauryan transformation?
Page 1
Answer
Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle): Mendicant, itinerant, no shrines/property, no deification of Buddha.
15
Question
What general purpose did stupas originally serve before architectural elaboration?
Page 2
Answer
Started as reliquary mounds (chaityas). Ashoka divided Buddha's remains into 8 parts, distributed across empire, marked by stupas. Means 'piled up.'
16
Question
What symbolism does a stupa represent?
Page 2
Answer
Body of Buddha, enlightenment, cosmic diagram.
17
Question
Where is the Sanchi complex located and founded by whom?
Page 2
Answer
Founded by Ashoka, flourished 13 centuries. Near Vidisa, southern trade route (dakshinapatha), on hill visible from afar.
18
Question
What is unique about Stupa II at Sanchi?
Page 2
Answer
Oldest at Sanchi (ca. 100 BCE).
19
Question
What elements make up the cosmological diagram of a stupa?
Page 2
Answer
Earthen hemispherical mound with bricks, medhi (berm) at base, vedika (stone balustrade) carved with scenes, 4 openings to cardinal directions (right angles counterclockwise), forms svastika (mandala unrelated to Nazi).
20
Question
What is parikrama and its role in architecture?
Page 2
Answer
Circumambulation path. Still fundamental in Buddhist and Hindu architecture.
21
Question
What developments marked Stupa I (Great Stupa) at Sanchi?
Page 2
Answer
Largest at Sanchi. Begun by Ashoka, enlarged to 36m diameter in Sunga period. Solid stone rings plastered/painted (eroded). Ashokan pillar at southern entrance (rare). Double parikrama (two vedikas). Harmika symbolic/inaccessible. Chattris on finial vertical axis.
22
Question
How are toranas (gateways) at Sanchi constructed and decorated?
Page 2
Answer
Monumental stone imitating wood. 2 vertical pillars + 3 horizontal bars (bent projecting beyond posts). Ends in volutes (sacred scrolls). Elaborately decorated with Buddhist themes.
23
Question
What characterized Sanchi as a center beyond just stupas?
Page 2
Answer
Monks' living quarters. Hindus built 4th-century CE stone temple near Mahastupa. Reliefs show processions with elephants/music – bustling religious center, not isolated.
24
Question
What defines Dhamekh and Dharmarajika Stupas at Sarnath?
Page 2
Answer
Built by Ashoka, rebuilt Gupta. Buddha relics. Site of first sermon and Sangha founding. Dhamekh: 43.5m high cylindrical basement 8 projecting faces floral/geometric carvings (Gupta).
25
Question
What innovation defines Bhaje rock-cut chaitya hall from 100-70 BCE?
Page 2
Answer
Fuses stupa chamber and antechamber into one large space. U-shaped colonnade for parikrama path.
26
Question
What entrance and interior features define Karli chaitya hall?
Page 3
Answer
Large horseshoe-shaped opening (vaulted). Inward-leaning columns joinery imitating wood. 40m deep 12m wide recessed stone screens. Pillars: pot base octagonal shaft inverted lotus capital abacus elephants horses. Stupa tall cylindrical railings wooden chhatri.
27
Question
How does the chaitya window symbolize Buddha?
Page 3
Answer
Horseshoe-shaped → abstract Buddha with topknot elongated ears floral/figural columns (gardens). Stupas richly ornamented with attached Buddha statues.
28
Question
What distinguishes oldest chaityas Caves 9 & 10 versus later Mahayana ones at Ajanta?
Page 3
Answer
Oldest (9&10): Simple apsidal colonnade unadorned stupa. Mahayana (19,450CE &26,490CE): Elaborate forecourt open sky side chambers Buddha figurines stupas (no wood imitation).
29
Question
What is the basic form and symbolism of viharas (monasteries)?
Page 3
Answer
Rectangular colonnaded hall + portico + surrounding cells. Cave 2: broad veranda central pillared hall (6x10m) cells some Buddha shrines. Beauty of Buddha's world = illusion (maya) – Mahayana doctrine.
30
Question
What makes Cave 1 at Ajanta notable?
Page 3
Answer
Magnificently painted vihara (5th century). Main hall square aisles 14 chambers 20 painted/carved pillars. Jataka reliefs above pillars. Rear large Buddha shrine. Famous Bodhisattva Padmapani painting.