Buddhist Architecture

Buddhist religious architecture developed in the Indian subcontinent.
Three types of structures are associated with the religious architecture of early Buddhism:
monasteries , places to venerate relics , and shrines or prayer halls , also called , which later came to be called temples in some places.

1. Buddhist Architecture

2. Origin of Buddhism Buddhist religious architecture  developed in the Indian subcontinent . Three types of structures are associated with the religious architecture of early Buddhism: monasteries , places to venerate relics , and shrines or prayer halls , also called  , which later came to be called temples in some places.

3. introduction The Buddhist architecture began with the development of various symbols ,representing aspects of Buddha's life that is from 563BCE to 483BCE Indian emperor Asoka ,not only established Buddhism as the state religion of his large Magadha empire, but also opted for the Architectural monuments to spread Buddhism in different places Buddhist culture and art forms are famous enough all over the world.

4. Major elements Stupas Stambas Chaityas Viharas

5. Stupas Stupas are dome shaped structures used to house sacred relics of the monks and hence also as relic –shrines Stupa is mound of the earth enclosing a reliccan be compared with the massive form of the great pyramids of egypt

6. hvj Stupas are of three types Sarika stupa – it is the stupa raised over the relics . Paribhojika stupa - erected over the articles , like the bowl , the sanghati . Uddeshika stupa - stupas built as commemorative monuments.

7. Example of stupa – sanchi stupa Sanchi stupa is located 40km north east of bhopal , and 10km from besnager and vidisha inthe central part of the state of madya pradesh Sanchi stupa was built by emperor ashoka It is located on the top of the sanchi hill, which raise about 100m high above the plan The ‘Great Stupa ’ at the sanchi the oldest stone structure in india .

8. Structural features The spherical dome symbolized the infinite space of the sky. The dome is called as egg The dome is a solid brick work is 36.60m in diameter, and 16.46m high, A large hemispherical dome which is flat at the top,and crowned by a triple umbrella or chattra ona pedestal surrounded by a square railing or harmika . A railing enclosed called vedica which is about 3.35m high leaving an ambulatory passage or pradikshina path with the gateways. The upper ambulatory passage 4.87m high from the ground and 1.8m wide.

9. stambhas In the context of hindu mythology,stamba is believed to be cosmic column. A stambha consists of a circular column or shaft slightly tapering towards the summit .On top of this shaft is the persepolitan bell or the inverted lotus shaped base. Above this is the abacus on the top of which rests the crowning sculpture. These three portions were carved out of the single stone

10. Example of stamba – iron pillar The  Iron pillar of Delhi  is 23 feet 8 inches high (7.2 metres) with 16 inches diameter structure, was constructed by a "King Chandra", probably by Chandragupta II , It is currently standing in the  Qutb complex at  Mehrauli  in Delhi, India . It is famous for the rust-resistant composition of the metals used in its construction .

11. chaityas A buddhist shrine or a prayer hall with te stupa at one end. They are made for large gatherings. They are made in rock-cut due to permanency of structure. Chaityas were influenced by ascetic lifestyle of vedic period and tendency or hermits to retire in solitude.

12. Basic characteristics Accommodates stupa Apsidal plan No division between nave and chaitya . i.e., space for congregational service not clearly defined. Vaulted hall Colonnades Side aisles

13. Architectural features Wooden construction inspired from vedic period imitated in natural rock. Supplemented with wooden surfaces for e.g. Screens or half timber construction. Shows similarities to Roman concept of column and arch , but no evidence of any relation. Well proportioned pillars with capitals. Rectangular halls with finely polished interior walls.

14. viharas Vihara generally refers to the monastery for buddhist reuniciates . T he concept is ancient and in the early sanskrit and pali texts ,it meant any arrangement of space or facilities for pleasure and entertainment. The term evovled into an architectural concept where in it refers to living quarters for monks with an open shared courtyard ,particularly in buddhism .

15. Basics characteristics Quadrangular court for gathering Surrounded by small cells Front wall incorporated a shrine for image of budda Cells had rock cut plateforms for beds Doorways were sides of the walls of the main hall

16. Construction and materials Rockcut architecture basically used wooden construction down to joinery details. In brick, corbelled arches are used ,and very large bricks to for large span. Months used floral patterns , animals etc.

17. Examples of viharas Ajantha caves Elora caves

18. Ajanta caves The A janta caves are 30 rock cut B uddhist cave monuments which date from the 2 nd century BCE to about 480 CE in A urangabad district of Maharashtra. These caves include paintings and rock cut sclptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient indian art ,particularly expressive paintings that present emotion through gesture,pose and form. The paintings done here are didactic in nature meant to inform the community about the budda’s teachings and the life through successive births.

19. Ellora caves Ellora is a UNESCO world heritage site located in the aurangabad district of Maharashtra,India . It is one of the largest rock-cut monastery temple cave complexes in the world featuring buddhist,hindu and jain monuments. There are over 100 caves at the site,all excavated from the basalt cliffs in the charanandri hills. The carvings of ellora were at one time profusely painted.the rock was covered with a lime plaster whaich was painted. The plaster and the paint has survived in places.

20. Mahabodhi temple The mahabodhi temple is a buddhist temple in bodh gaya ,marking the location where buddha,is said to have attained enlightment . B odh gaya is located about 96km from patna ; bihar . Next to the temple on its western side ,is a holy Bodhi tree and the monastery there the bodhimanda vihara . The tallest tower is 55 metres tall is located

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