Indian ArtIndian Art

The Indian subcontinent is the home of The Indian subcontinent is the home of one of the world’s oldest civilizationsone of the world’s oldest civilizations

India is approximately the size of Europe India is approximately the size of Europe Urban culture began 2500 BCEUrban culture began 2500 BCE Essential character of Indian art did not Essential character of Indian art did not

change despite many invasions and the change despite many invasions and the influence of many religions: influence of many religions: Hinduism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and JainismIslam, Buddhism and Jainism

Indian art is full of Indian art is full of SYMBOLISM SYMBOLISM drawn drawn from it’s rich culturefrom it’s rich culture

Let’s put it in historical Let’s put it in historical contextcontext

326 BC Alexander the Great arrives (tie 326 BC Alexander the Great arrives (tie in to last years Greek Art) defeated in to last years Greek Art) defeated Porus’s army of 50,000 troops and 200 Porus’s army of 50,000 troops and 200 elephants (this is not 300 that’s in 26 elephants (this is not 300 that’s in 26 years)years)

Religions of Jainism and Buddhism main Religions of Jainism and Buddhism main religionsreligions

66thth century: Mahavira (founder of Jainism) century: Mahavira (founder of Jainism) Buddha (means 'enlightened Buddha (means 'enlightened

one' -founder of Buddhism 563 – 483 one' -founder of Buddhism 563 – 483 BCE)BCE)

OriginallyOriginally only a simple mound made up of mud or only a simple mound made up of mud or clay, to cover supposed relics of the Buddha. The clay, to cover supposed relics of the Buddha. The earth hills were faced with stone and covered with earth hills were faced with stone and covered with gilded stucco. After the ‘passing away’ of the gilded stucco. After the ‘passing away’ of the Buddha his remains were cremated and the ashes Buddha his remains were cremated and the ashes divided and buried under eight stupas with two divided and buried under eight stupas with two further stupas encasing the urn and the embers. further stupas encasing the urn and the embers.

Great Stupa at Sanchi

What is a stupa?A stupa is a religious object symbolizing Buddha's teachings.They are mystical-contains relics- such as old monks clothes or begging bowls or holy scriptures

3rd century BCE to early first century

This is a recurrence of the symbolism of the dome This is a recurrence of the symbolism of the dome whereby Earth supports Heaven and Heaven covers whereby Earth supports Heaven and Heaven covers Earth. Earth.

The so-called "parasols," set one above the other The so-called "parasols," set one above the other along the shaft emerging from its uppermost region, along the shaft emerging from its uppermost region, represent a heavenly hierarchy. represent a heavenly hierarchy. Three-tiered umbrella symbolizes the three jewels of Buddhism: the Budda, the dharma (Buddah’s Law), and the Order (fraternity of monks). The cosmic symbolism is completed by a The cosmic symbolism is completed by a ritual circumambulatory path around the monument- ritual circumambulatory path around the monument- like the Hajj in Mecca). like the Hajj in Mecca).

More a sculpture of the ‘Cosmos’ than a space More a sculpture of the ‘Cosmos’ than a space enclosing buildingenclosing building

The stupa is a cosmic The stupa is a cosmic symbol. Its hemispherical symbol. Its hemispherical shape represents the world shape represents the world egg (Womb of life- also the egg (Womb of life- also the heavens-sky). Stupas heavens-sky). Stupas commonly rest on a square commonly rest on a square pedestal (the earth) and pedestal (the earth) and are carefully aligned with are carefully aligned with the four cardinal points of the four cardinal points of the compass.the compass.

The Great Stupa is The Great Stupa is 120 feet across (36.6 120 feet across (36.6 meters) and, meters) and, excluding the railing excluding the railing and umbrella, is 54 and umbrella, is 54 feet high (16.46 feet high (16.46 meters).meters).

Started about 250 Started about 250 BCE. With the decline BCE. With the decline of Buddhism, the site of Buddhism, the site decayed and was decayed and was eventually completely eventually completely forgotten. But, forgotten. But, between 1912 and between 1912 and 1919, the structures 1919, the structures were carefully were carefully repaired to their repaired to their present condition and present condition and

restored.restored.

Another interesting characteristic about the Sanchi Stupa is that Lord Buddha has been symbolically represented by footprints, wheels, thrones etc rather than by his own image. The gateways of Sanchi stupas contain ornamented depiction of incidents from the life of the Buddha and his previous incarnations as Bodhisattvas described in the Jataka tales. The Buddha has been shown symbolically in the form of tree or through other inanimate figures.

During the first century BCE, one hundred years later, the 4 stone gateways and surrounding terrace were added.

The Great DepartureEast Gate, Sanchi At the left is Buddha's home city of Kapilavastu. From left to right across the architrave, Prince Siddhartha proceeds out of the city, his horse's hooves supported by attendant spirits so as not to alert the household to his departure. The horse is shown several times, as a standard narrative convention denoting movement. At the far right, Siddhartha's followers return to the city. Throughout the panel, as everywhere at Sanchi, the Buddha is represented symbolically-- in the present scene by parasols and, at the far right, by a pair of footprints under worship

Winged Lions and PeacocksEast Gate, Sanchi Detail showing the carving of winged lions and peacocks. Both these animals have royal associations, and hence are suitable for Buddha as well as Ashoka whose procession is depicted on the architrave. Above the lions is a scene of worshipers venerating the dharmachakra (Wheel of Law, symbolic of Buddha's teaching).

In the fourth In the fourth century CE, century CE, four stones four stones Buddahs Buddahs were placed were placed along the along the outside walls outside walls of the stupa of the stupa

Other StupasOther Stupas

The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya has been built to last for over 1,000 years. The finest and most enduring materials have been used throughout the structure. The shape of the Stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and seated in the meditation posture on a throne. His crown is the top spire; his head is the square at the spire's base; his body is the vase shape; his legs are the four steps of the lower terrace; and the base is his throne.

CENTRED:CENTRED: The word ‘mandala’ literally means The word ‘mandala’ literally means

circle or centre. It is basically a form circle or centre. It is basically a form or object created from a series of or object created from a series of geometric forms that share the same geometric forms that share the same centre. While a variety of forms can centre. While a variety of forms can be found a basic mandala is no more be found a basic mandala is no more than a circle inside a square.than a circle inside a square.

Looking at a stupa side on – and this Looking at a stupa side on – and this is how we usually see them –; with is how we usually see them –; with the sphere half buried in the cube the sphere half buried in the cube which is itself buried in the earth. which is itself buried in the earth. The shared centre is more obvious The shared centre is more obvious from an aerial view.from an aerial view.

A circle is a symbol of the heavens A circle is a symbol of the heavens while a square is symbolic of the while a square is symbolic of the earth, and of the ‘man-made’ world. earth, and of the ‘man-made’ world. The circle – heaven – is contained The circle – heaven – is contained within the square – earth. within the square – earth.

The Buddhist principle of The Buddhist principle of enlightenment can be considered, enlightenment can be considered, symbolically, as the pure centre of symbolically, as the pure centre of this circle. this circle.

It is in fact beyond ‘heaven’. It is not It is in fact beyond ‘heaven’. It is not ‘up there’ or somewhere else but ‘up there’ or somewhere else but right here, at this point in time, right here, at this point in time, within this present moment. within this present moment.

The pattern of creationThe pattern of creationThe word "mandala" is from the classical The word "mandala" is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean "circle," a mandala is far translated to mean "circle," a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself--a the organizational structure of life itself--a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds. and minds.

www.mandalaproject.org/What/Index.html

SAND MANDALAS:SAND MANDALAS:Different cultures, similar Different cultures, similar expressionexpressionBoth Navajo Indians and Tibetan Both Navajo Indians and Tibetan monks create monks create sand mandalassand mandalas to to demonstrate the impermanence of demonstrate the impermanence of life.life.

In ancient Tibet, as part of a spiritual In ancient Tibet, as part of a spiritual practice, monks created intricate practice, monks created intricate mandalas with colored sand made of mandalas with colored sand made of crushed semiprecious stones. crushed semiprecious stones. Millions of grains of sand are painstakingly laid into place on a flat platform over a period of days or weeks. When finished, to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists, the colored sands are swept up and poured into a nearby river or stream where the waters carry the healing energies throughout the world.

The tradition The tradition continues to this continues to this day as the monks day as the monks travel to different travel to different cultures around cultures around the world to the world to create sand create sand mandalas and mandalas and educate people educate people about the culture about the culture of Tibet.of Tibet.

Mandala Mandala Everything has a beginning –the Everything has a beginning –the

‘starting point’, and from one point, ‘starting point’, and from one point, before the next beginning, all is before the next beginning, all is unknown, everything is possible. unknown, everything is possible.

We create symmetrical patterns and We create symmetrical patterns and expect repetition but within the mandala expect repetition but within the mandala are both difference and sameness, are both difference and sameness, movement and stillness. Each point is movement and stillness. Each point is both the beginning and the end. both the beginning and the end.

The mandala is to be experinced from The mandala is to be experinced from the precise centre, a pure point beyond the precise centre, a pure point beyond space and time. space and time.

This point is the present moment, This point is the present moment, infinite and eternal. infinite and eternal.

The stupa is designed to draw the mind The stupa is designed to draw the mind in from the general surroundings to the in from the general surroundings to the base, toward the centre of the dome and base, toward the centre of the dome and then lead one’s gaze upwards to the then lead one’s gaze upwards to the apex, to the point. This is the apex, to the point. This is the development of two spiritual activities;development of two spiritual activities;••concentration (through being ••concentration (through being focussed),focussed),••insight (by investigation and reflection ••insight (by investigation and reflection on the process).on the process).These two qualities are developed in the These two qualities are developed in the practice of meditation and practice of meditation and contemplation – aspiring to the letting contemplation – aspiring to the letting go and trancendence of worldly concepts go and trancendence of worldly concepts and all views of one’s self.and all views of one’s self.

www.buddhamind.info/leftside/arty/stupa/sanchi.htm

THE WHEEL :THE WHEEL : The wheel is a common symbol of the The wheel is a common symbol of the

Buddha’s teaching, of truth, and can Buddha’s teaching, of truth, and can be seen as a simple mandala. As it be seen as a simple mandala. As it turns, the centre remains still while turns, the centre remains still while everything else turns around it.everything else turns around it.

The practice of meditation is a The practice of meditation is a journey, questioning if there is such a journey, questioning if there is such a ‘centre’ and if so, where might it be?’ ‘centre’ and if so, where might it be?’

Total

10Communication & Product Presentation - quality of final product, neatness and care in the finishing touches

10Technical technique-drawing and skill with medium used

10Application and the Creation Process (merging the symbols into a unified mandala) including use of radial symmetry and mirroring of images.

10Understanding/ Visual Literacy of symbols

Comments:10Problem solving/preparationSketchbook design work including thumbnail

sketches