Absence of the Buddha Image in Early Buddhist Art

by Tanaka, Kanoko

• ISBN13: 9788124600900
• ISBN10: 8124600902
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-08-01
• Publisher: D K Print World

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Acknowledgements	vii
Abbreviations	xiii
Introduction	1	(140)
Visible Facts
The Role of `Stupa-Art' (Fine Arts dedicated to the Stupa).	9	(9)
A Rediscovery of `Vedika-Design'	13	(1)
The Importance of `Stupa-Motif' in Stupa-Art	14	(1)
Simplicity and Impersonality of `Stupa-Motif'	15	(1)
Lack of Lamentation	15	(1)
Always with Worshippers	16	(1)
Notice Boards of Donation	16	(2)
The Basic Composition of Stupa-Art	18	(16)
Unification of Relief-Flames (Stages)	19	(2)
Role of Buddhist Monuments (Stage-Setting)
---Motifs of early Buddhist art---	21	(1)
Footprints, etc.	22	(1)
Umbrella	23	(1)
Stupa	23	(1)
Bodhi-Tree	23	(1)
Empty Throne	24	(1)
Wheel of Dharma	24	(1)
Tri-Ratna	25	(1)
Combination-Motifs	25	(1)
Animals.	26	(1)
Peacock.	27	(1)
Lotus Flowers.	27	(1)
Devotees performing on Stage (Personage).	28	(2)
The Atmosphere common to all the Scenes (Stage-Effect).	30	(1)
Supplement.	31	(3)
A Consideration of the Visible Facts.	34	(7)
Its Accomplished Spatiality.	34	(1)
Its Flexible Temporality.	34	(1)
The invisible presence of the Buddha image.	35	(1)
The actual absence of the Buddha image.	35	(1)
Its Essential Monumentality.	36	(1)
A Reference to the Motifs of early Christian Art.	37	(1)
The signs regarded as equal to Jesus Christ.	37	(1)
Fish; The creature whose name is related to Jesus Christ.	38	(1)
Cross; the most direct symbol to signify Jesus Christ.	38	(1)
Jesus Christ expressed in the form of metaphors in the New Testament.	38	(1)
Orpheus and animals.	39	(1)
The animals signifying Jesus Christ.	39	(1)
The symbols of Christian Faith.	39	(1)
Paradigma: the precedent examples of one's release from death by the grace of God.	40	(1)
The sacrament of the Eucharist.	40	(1)
Orans; the prayer.	40	(1)
The portrayal of mother and her child, as the archetype of Madonna and her Holy Child.	41	(1)
The archetype of Christ image.	41	(10)
Possible Interpretations
The Religious Aspects
In Context of the Stupa-Art.	51	(1)
The Aniconic Situation of Vedic Rituals.	52	(1)
General Interpretations on the Usage of Buddhist Monuments.	52	(1)
The Digha Nikaya (Brahma-Jala Sutta, 73).	53	(1)
The Sutta-Nipata (1069, 1073, 1075).	54	(2)
The Anguttara Nikaya (In Chinese Version; Taisho., Vol. 2, pp. 657, 664).	56	(1)
General Comments on the Interpretations of (D), (E), and (F).	57	(5)
The Artistic Aspects
The Stupa-Art as one of the Buddist Rituals.	62	(1)
Its Dramatic Essence.	62	(5)
An Example of Theatrical Interpretation: A Drama in memory of `Bhagavato Dhamacakam'
---A Conversion of King Vidudabha---.	67	(1)
A Survey of the Interpretations in the Past.	67	(4)
A Possibility of New Interpretation.	71	(4)
A Comment on the Interpretation from the Artistic Aspects.	75	(1)
The Political Aspects	76	(15)
The Concept of the Empty Throne
Its Meanings for Buddhist People.	91	(5)
Its Categories in Comparative Religion.	96	(29)
The Empty Throne in Buddhism.	102	(2)
The Empty Throne in Zoroastrianism.	104	(4)
The Empty Throne in Yahwism/Judaism.	108	(6)
The Empty Throne in Christianity.	114	(3)
The Empty Throne in Islam	117	(5)
The Empty Throne in Sikhism.	122	(3)
A Discovery of its Modernity.	125	(16)
Conclusion	141	(3)
Appendix: What is the Purpose of Comparative Religion?---A five-point ethics to be obtained through the field-work---.	144	(5)
A List of Visuals	149	(9)
A Guide to the Visuals	158	(1)
Tables	159	(8)
Figures	167	(14)
Illustrations	181	(26)
Plates	207	(22)
Select Bibliography	229	(8)
Index	237