Midterm #2 Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Siddhartha Gautama
A
- He is the historical form of the Shakyamuni Buddha
- Lived in Northeastern part to India
- Born as a prince in the nobility class
- Gave lectures after his enlightenment which unfolded the Buddhist religion.
2
Q
King Ashoka
A
- Part of the Mauryan Empire, he reigned around 273 - 232 BCE
- He wanted to be the ideal Buddhist king
- Was largely responsible for the spread of Buddhism
- He promoted the building of Buddhist monuments and stuppas
3
Q
Stupa
A
- Semi-spherical mounds built of bricks, earth, or stone.
- Inserted inside were relics of the Buddha
- They were used as a ritual function and had symbolic meaning
- One famous known stupa was The Great Stupa at Sanchi
4
Q
Gandhara
A
- Part of the Kushan Empire
- Where one of two major styles of Buddhist sculpture originated. the other being Mathura
- Styles from here are similar to the Greek style
- The period existed around the 1st - 5th century CE
5
Q
Bodhisattva
A
- These are beings that have hold back or delayed their spiritual process to help others attain enlightenment
- They have similar renderings to the Buddha but are slightly different
- This where the beginnings of Mahayana Buddhism is seen
6
Q
International Gupta Style
A
- Developed under the Gupta Dynasty, which was around 320-647 CE
- It was a style in Buddhist sculpting that became an international style
- Some of these features include a fine robe that clings to the body and a face of the Buddha that is not looking at you, but has downcast eyes and appears to be in intense meditation.
7
Q
Cave Temples
A
- These were Buddhist temples made into the mountain.
- These were created across Asia and were a place for monks to mediate.
- An example is the Cave Temples at Ajanta
- The cave temples included multiple space featuring architecture and Buddhist sculptures and paintings.
8
Q
Punya
A
- This is a sanskrit word that translates as “religious merits.”
- It is the practice of making religious donations.
- Sponsoring the making of Buddhist objects or temples is to build merit which leads towards good karma and towards Nirvana.
9
Q
Vihara
A
- This is a sanskrit word for Buddhist monastery.
- Seen in the Ajanta Cave Temples - Cave 1 has a Vihara design.
- Overall it is a structure built for monks to live, perform rituals, and meditate
10
Q
Chaitya
A
- This is a Buddhist shrine, which include the stupa.
- It denotes the prayer hall that includes the stupa.
- Example is seen in the Ajanta Cave Temples in Cave 46
11
Q
Jataka
A
- These are tales of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas
- They embody the concept of cause and effect.
- Also known as Avadana… these scenes were on the ceiling of the Kizil Cave 38
12
Q
Silk Road
A
- This was a network of transportation routes
- The city of Bamiyan was connected to the silk road
- This route was utilized for trade and a spread of ideas
- The term is a contemporary term coined by a German Geographer
13
Q
Stucco
A
- This is a material made of calcium oxide or sulphate.
- With wood or stone as the core, this material was used in sculpture.
- It made it possible to mold in a more realistic way
- An example of where stucco was used was in the Great East and West Buddhas of the Caves at Bamiyan
14
Q
Kucha
A
- Kingdom that flourished from 2nd to 8th Century CE
- They were part of the Eastern part of the Silk Road
- They included communities of both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism.
- The Kizil Caves were part of the Kucha Kingdom.
15
Q
Maitreya
A
- This regards the future Buddha of this world.
- It is also considered a bodhisattva who has appeared on earth, but has achieved complete enlightenment.
- Images of this bodhisattva were seen in Kizil Cave 38.
16
Q
Bamiyan
A
- Kingdom located along the Western part of the Silk Road.
- They flourished around the 4th to 8th century CE
- The Bamiyan Caves are located here, including the Great East and West Buddhas.
17
Q
Northern Wei
A
- The Northern Wei Dynasty was around 386 - 534 CE
- Adopted the Chinese model of the dynasty - an emperor of the Northern Wei believed that the people needed to completely assimilate to the Chinese culture
- The caves were built under the Northern Wei Dynasty
18
Q
Sinicization
A
- This was the assimilation into Chinese culture during the Northern Wei period.
- It was a policy created under Emperor Ziaowen (471 - 499)
- People were required to marry Chinese, dress Chinese, and speak Chinese.
- Examples of this assimilation is seen at the Longmen Caves, which has Buddhas that look Chinese.