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The Indian Buddhist iconography mainly based on the Sadhanamala and other cognate Tantric texts of rituals - Free PDF

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  The Indian Buddhist iconography is mainly based on the Sadhanamala and other cognate Tantric texts of rituals. It is a system of visual representation of the various aspects of Buddhism, such as Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, deities, and other spiritual figures. The iconography is used to represent the teachings of Buddhism in a visual form. The Sadhanamala is an important source for understanding the Indian Buddhist iconography. It is a collection of Tantric rituals and practices that were compiled in the 11th century CE by Vajrabodhi and his disciple Amoghavajra. The text contains descriptions of various Buddhist deities and their associated symbols, as well as instructions for performing various rituals. The Sadhanamala describes the iconography of many popular Buddhist deities such as Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Tara, Vajrapani, and others. Each deity has its own unique attributes and symbols that are used to represent them in artworks. For example, Avalokiteshvara is often depicted wit

Buddhist art of Gandhara - Free PDF

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  Gandhara Buddhist art is a style of Buddhist visual art that developed in the region of Gandhara, which is now located in modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. This style of art flourished from the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE and was heavily influenced by Greco-Roman culture. The art form is characterized by its use of realistic human figures, often with Greek facial features, and its incorporation of elements from both Buddhism and Hellenistic culture. Gandhara Buddhist art was created primarily for religious purposes, such as decorating temples and monasteries. It was also used to illustrate stories from Buddhist texts, such as the Jataka tales. Common motifs included scenes from the life of the Buddha, depictions of bodhisattvas, and images of Hindu gods and goddesses. The most common medium used for Gandhara Buddhist art was stucco reliefs, which were created by carving into wet plaster on walls or pillars. Other materials used included stone sculpture, terracotta figuri