StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Evolution of the Stupa in Buddhist Architectural History - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Evolution of the Stupa in Buddhist Architectural History Name Institution Course Date Evolution of the Stupa in Buddhist Architectural History The Stupa is, arguably, the earliest and most significant architectural expression of the Buddhists1. Dating back to the first century BC, a number of Stupas can be seen throughout the world, most of which are found in the Asian continent, particularly in India and Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia and Japan where Buddhism is a prominent religion…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.1% of users find it useful
Evolution of the Stupa in Buddhist Architectural History
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Evolution of the Stupa in Buddhist Architectural History"

Download file to see previous pages

most of which were built by Ashok Maurya2. He is reported to have built about 84,000 stupas using the earthen bounds and other materials. However, some of these stupas were damaged later on during the break of Maurya Empire. The best-known stupas are those built at Sanchi, Gaya, Amaravati, and Barhut. However, stupas constructed at Sanchi by Ashoka (273-236 B.C.) are arguably the most striking and remaining stupas of the three3. Situated at the top of the hill, these magnificent stupas have been preserved to show the various stages that the Buddhist architecture and art have developed since the first stupa was constructed in the third century B.C. Report indicates that some of the stupas built by Ashoka at Sanchi were damaged during Maury Empire’s break-up4.

However, the damaged stupas were later put up in the second century during the reign of Sungas. Unlike before where stupas were only preserved for important activities, stupas of the second century underwent improvements and enlargements, in which a stone railing was constructed around it5. In addition, the newly constructed stupas were embellished with several curved gateways. Le reveals that the Great Stupa is fitted with a large hemispherical flat-topped dome6. At the dome’s basement is a circular terrace, which is meant for circumambulation and an encompassing balustrade.

The ground level, on the other hand, has a stone-paved procession gateway, as well as a stone balustrade and steps leading to the circular terrace. The stupa measures approximately 36.60 meters wide and about 16.46 meters tall7. Walls of this stupa are made of mud mortar and burnt ricks. However, it is thought that the elaborate curved Torana were constructed with either metal or ivory in the first century B.C. during king Satakarni’s reign8. This structure later went through different stages of improvements particularly in the fourth century A.D. during the reign of Gupta in which four additional Buddhas calmly sited in the dhyana were installed at the four entrances.

Another big stupa was constructed at Barhut in the 2nd century B.C. during the reign of Sunga. This stupa, like other stupas of this period, had a hemispherical dome made of bricks9. In addition, this stupa was surmounted by a shaft, which arguably signified the spiritual sovereignty of Buddhism. It is also evident that the railing surrounding the stupas is made of red sandstone.10 Moreover, scenes representing the life of Buddha and the Jataka Tales are curved on the entrance, uprights, crossbars, and pillars of the railings.

Report also indicates that several other stupas were constructed during this period. In fact, one of the most striking features from the stupa found in Nagajunakonda and Amaravati show that stupas of the northern region were quite different in structure from those of the south11. In this regard, it is evident that there was a shift from the famous Buddhist style, which was purely based on the two dominant Buddhism- Mahayana and Hinayana. Le notes that different styles and trends were used here which gave rise to new forms of architecture such as a square and rectangular image shrine, quadrangular monastery a small stupa on a square platform and pillared hall12. Le notes

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Tags
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Evolution of the Stupa in Buddhist Architectural History Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/architecture/1472206-evolution-of-the-stupa-in-buddhist-architectural
(Evolution of the Stupa in Buddhist Architectural History Essay)
https://studentshare.org/architecture/1472206-evolution-of-the-stupa-in-buddhist-architectural.
“Evolution of the Stupa in Buddhist Architectural History Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/architecture/1472206-evolution-of-the-stupa-in-buddhist-architectural.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Evolution of the Stupa in Buddhist Architectural History

Stateless Nations of Tibet

The academic in writing pattern is a foremost local scholarly dialect, especially for its use in buddhist literature.... history In 1720, the Chinese army entered Tibet and broke settling down in Lhasa, the massacre of the Mongols, and the result was the accession to the throne of the seventh Dalai Lama Keltsanga Gyatso.... Tibet religion Lamaism or Tibetan Buddhism is the corpse of buddhist devout doctrine and organizations attribute of certain districts of the Himalayas and Tibet, encompassing to the north Nepal, India and Bhutan (particularly in Lahaul, Ladakh, Dharamsala, Arunachal Pradesh, and Spiti in Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Buddhist Influence in Chinas Intellectual and Spiritual Life

In fact, because of the external threats to China from the north and the northwest, the development of Buddhist though in the north was more dynamic than the evolution of Gentry Buddhism in southern China (Zurcher, p.... The evolution of Buddhism in the north after the collapse of the Han dynasty assumed a distinct direction but remained in favour of its widespread acceptance.... Hence, a buddhist country can be described as a country where a significant number of the population follows the buddhist faith....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Art Movements

Stupa is a mound-like structure found in buddhist countries.... Stupas represent the buddhist belief that they can also achieve the enlightenment that Buddha achieved in his lifetime.... The monument which is composed of parts represents the elements that would lead to enlightenment, is an edifice that would make buddhist connected with their goal of enlightenment.... According to Buddhists, a stupa represents Buddha's holy mind and each part represents the path towards enlightenment....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

The unique features of Newar Buddhism and their development

A brief historic synopsis will give a general overview of the evolution of Buddhism in Nepal.... While the Newar have remained “the custodians of what is probably the oldest unbroken Buddhist tradition in the world”1, the Katmandu Valley was not less… However, some Western writers consider Newar Buddhism to be “corrupt”2, and believe it to be an advanced stage of deterioration3. Therefore, the major purpose of this paper is to examine these claims by tracing the history This study will be concentrated on the special features of Newar Buddhism with regard to its organizational structure and major activities of its Sa-gha ....
18 Pages (4500 words) Essay

The Globalization of Religion in Japan

It feels like Japan would serve as a great metaphor for the diversity apparent in the rest of the world.... Japan is an ancient nation that has undergone great changes in the preceding centuries.... Hence a study of the effect of globalization in a religious context on the Japanese is a way of analyzing globalization of religion in the world on a macro level....
17 Pages (4250 words) Essay

How is Indian Art and Southeast Asian Art are Connected

This paper declares that the Indian history dates way back to 3300 B.... nbsp; Indian art is not to be studied from the time-based evolution perspective but rather from the region and period of its evolution perspective.... to 1300 B.... with the birth of the Indus Valley civilization such as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and the invasion by the Aryans....
9 Pages (2250 words) Research Paper

Arched and Vaulted Forms in Architecture

onstruction of structures turns out to be logical and therefore architectural as soon as it is well-organized, timesaving, economical and ecologically accountable that emerges instantaneously.... he science and art of construction and building of large scale structures, however, merely turned out to be a rudimentary feature in architectural theory in the course of the Roman Era, all through the time of Christ's birth.... Nothing like the current trends in architecture wherein most architectural artworks are based on the concepts of the physical sciences with the idea for structural efficiency, the architecture during the past eras where mostly symbolical, decorative and representative in nature....
13 Pages (3250 words) Coursework

The Aspect of Asian Art and Architecture

"The Aspect of Asian Art and Architecture" paper examines Islamic art, buddhist art, and architecture and then compares them.... The author states that ancient art can be appreciated when interest and urge to understand the past and their role in society are evaluated.... nbsp;… The role of art in society has not been evaluated or understood especially when the arts in question are ancient and considered backdated....
7 Pages (1750 words) Term Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us