Southeast Asia was an early center of Buddhist art and architecture before 1200. Key sites included the great stupa at Sanchi from the 3rd century BCE, which was later enlarged. Buddhism arose in India in the 5th century BCE and was influenced by Hinduism and Jainism. Important Buddhist concepts include samsara, karma, nirvana, and the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Under King Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, Buddhism spread across Asia and prominent sites associated with the Buddha's life, like Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath, became pilgrimage destinations.

1. Southeast Asia:
Buddhist Art and
Architecture Before 1200

3. Great Stupa (the Mahastupa), Sanchi. Founded third century BCE, enlarged
c. 150–50 BCE. UNESCO video link.

6. Hinduism
Jainism
Buddhism
Christianity
Islam

7. The Aryas
2000-500 BCE

8. The Vedas
(knowledge)
Upanishads
(to sit down at the feet of the guru)

9. Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, disease, decay
Karma is the universal law of cause and effect
Maya is the illusionary nature of the phenomenal
world and includes skepticism of the physical world
and a desire to find the truth beyond the physical
Nirvana is the possibility of release from samsara
Mokśa is liberation, release from samsara

10. Siddhārtha Gautama
(also known as Śakyamuni referring to the Śakya
(lion)
The Middle Path
The great appeal of Buddhism is its teaching of
wisdom, compassion and humility.
Its emphasis on moral and ethical perfection, a
democratic outlook and a casteless society also
widened its attraction.

11. Buddha “Awakened One”
A Buddha is a being that has achieved Enlightenment
(the ability to understand the true nature of all
things) and has been released from samsara.
The Bodhi Tree
(Bodhi = Enlightenment)

12. The Four Noble Truths
Life is suffering (suffering = rebirth)
The cause of suffering is desire
The cause of desire must be overcome
When desire is overcome, there is no more suffering
(rebirth)

13. First Sermon
(Turning the Wheel of the Law),
Pala Dynasty, tenth century.
Enlightenment
(Earth Touching gesture), Pala Dynasty,
tenth century

14. King Ashoka
third century BCE

15. Lumbini (Birth)
Bodh Gaya (Enlightenment)
Sarnath (First Sermon)
Kusingara (Parinirvana/death)

16. Ashokan Pillar and Lion Capital. Maurya period, c. 250 BCE.
Capital height 7 feet.

19. Great Stupa (the Mahastupa), Sanchi. Founded third century BCE, enlarged
c. 150–50 BCE. UNESCO video link.

22. Details from Stupa, Sanchi

23. North gate at Sanchi,source.

24. Votive Stupa from Bodh Gaya, eighth century.

25. North gate at Sanchi and detail from the upper right of the triratna (the
three jewels) of Buddhism (source).

26. Ashokan pillar and stupa at Vaishali .

27. Plan of the Ajanta monastery.

28. Entrance to a chaitya hall,
c. third century BCE to second century, cave at Bhaja.

29. Interior of rock-cut, chaitya hall
Bhaja c. 100 BCE.

31. Interior of Cave 19, Ajanta c. 462-500 BCE.

32. Rock-cut chaitya halls and viharas, Ajanta, c. 462-500 BCE.

33. An image of the Buddha

34. Hinayana
(Lesser Vehicle)
(also known as shravakayana)
It is based on the original teachings of the Buddha.
It demonstrates practical methods for the end to suffering.
Release can only be achieved through personal effort.
The essence of the teachings is the Four Noble Truths.
The basic practice is the Eightfold Path.
The goal is individual salvation.
There is a clear monastic tradition associated with
Hinayana.
Worship of deities is secondary.
The simple concept is release from samsara.

35. Details from Stupa, Sanchi

36. Footprints of the Buddha at Bodh Gaya, source.

37. Mahayana
(Greater Vehicle)
This is rooted in the teachings of the historical
Buddha, but seeks salvation for all beings. This
attitude is embodied in the idea of the bodhisattva
whose outstanding quality is compassion.
The Mahayana places less emphasis on the monastery
because through direct worship and assistance from
the bodhisattva the individual can attain release.

38. Kushan coin. Buddha first-second
century.
Kushan coin, Siva second century.

39. “Yogi” seal.

40. Buddha and Attendants c. late first-early second century BCE, Mathura,
Madhya Pradesh, India.

41. mudras

42. Buddha and Attendants, c.182 BCE,
Ghandara, northwest Pakistan.Buddha and Attendants,
c. late first-early second century BCE,
Mathura, Madhya, Pradesh, India.

43. Standing Buddha, Gandhara, c. second–third century.

44. Imperial Procession,
From the Ara Pacis, 13-9 BCE.
Standing Buddha, Gandhara,
c. second–third century.

45. Buddha, the First Sermon,
Gupta, mid. fifth century sandstone.

46. First Sermon
(Turning the Wheel of the Law),
Pala Dynasty, tenth century.
Enlightenment
(Earth Touching gesture), Pala Dynasty,
tenth century

47. Bodhisattva:
An enlightened being who has achieved
Buddhahood, but chooses to remain in
the temporal world to assist others

48. The Bodhisattva Tara, c. ninth century.

50. Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan.

51. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ndwNgeYMQU&feature=related

53. Should they be reconstructed?