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Buddhist Architecture

The document discusses various elements of Buddhist architecture, focusing on stupas, stambhas (pillars), and chaityas (prayer halls). Stupas are mounds enclosing relics, while stambhas are monolithic columns with cosmic significance, and chaityas serve as prayer halls for large gatherings. The text highlights the evolution of rock-cut architecture, exemplified by the Lomas Rishi Cave, and its influence from earlier Vedic structures.

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simrah bazaz
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54 views6 pages

Buddhist Architecture

The document discusses various elements of Buddhist architecture, focusing on stupas, stambhas (pillars), and chaityas (prayer halls). Stupas are mounds enclosing relics, while stambhas are monolithic columns with cosmic significance, and chaityas serve as prayer halls for large gatherings. The text highlights the evolution of rock-cut architecture, exemplified by the Lomas Rishi Cave, and its influence from earlier Vedic structures.

Uploaded by

simrah bazaz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE

SIMRAH BAZAZ
B.ARCH 2ND YEAR SFS
JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA
STUPAS
• STUPA IS MOUND OF THE EARTH
ENCLOSING A RELICCAN BE
COMPARED WITH THE MASSIVE FORM
OF THEGREAT PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT
• THEY ALSO CALLED AS THUPPA IN
PALI, DAGABA INSIMBALI, TOPE IN
ENGLISH & DHATUGRABH IN
SANSKRIT.(DHATUGRABH=RELICS
PRESERVED IN VESSEL CLASSIFIED
INTO THREE TYPES.
•SARIKA STUPA-raised over body
relics.
•PARIBHOJIKA STUPA - erected over
the articles, like the bowl, the sanghati
•UDDESHIKA STUPA- Stupas built as
commemorative monuments.
STAMBHAS (PILLARS)
• The next development was the free
standing monolithic columns erected over
sites selected because of their sacred
associations. They were basically stone
objects.
• DEFINITION: In the context Of Hindu
Mythology, stambha, is believed to be a
cosmic column.
• DESIGN: A stambha consists of a circular
column or shaft slightly tapering towards
the summit (monolithic). On top of this
shaft is the Persepolitan bell or the
inverted lotus shaped base. Above this is
the abacus on top of which rests the
crowning sculpture. These three portions
were carved out of a single stone
(monolithic). The famous iron pillar from
the Gupta period is a fine specimen,
withstanding exposure to rain & storm,
yet remaining smooth and unrusted
bearing testimony to the mastery of
Indian metal-casting.
CHAITYAS
• A Buddhist shrine or prayer hall
with stupa at one end.
• Made for large gatherings of
devotees.
• Made in rock-cut due to
permanency of structure.
• Chaityas were influenced by ascetic
lifestyle of Vedic period and
tendency of hermits to retire in
solitude.
CHAITYAS (CAVES)

• The next significant development was the


rock-cut architecture.
• Its earliest and most imp. Marvel was the
Lomas Rishi Cave, at Barabar hills, Bihar.
• Derived from timber huts and wooden arch.
of Vedic times.
• They were rectangular halls, with finely
polished interior walls. There were a number of
well proportioned pillars, generally around 35,
and a semi-circular roof.
• Opposite one entrance stood a stupa. All the
pillars have capitals on them, with carvings of a
kneeling elephant mounted on bell-shaped
bases.

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