REVIEW_Ancient S + SE Asia Flashcards

1
Q

What is this called? (HINT: It is not a specific building but an architectural feature of most Hindu and Buddhist temples) And what are two things it is made of? *

A

Stupa. Made of dirt and stone

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2
Q

What is a ritual that followers of these faiths perform with the architectural feature above? (What do they physically do and what does it symbolize?) *

A

People walk around the stupa (Circumambulation). Walking around the stupa, the faithful perform a sacred meditational ritual Evocative of the endless cycle of rebirth.

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3
Q

What is this a receptacle for? (Name two things) *

A

Relics and/or graves

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4
Q

What are the three main deities of Hinduism? *

A

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

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5
Q

What is the name of the all-inclusive, universal, and eternal spiritual reality that extends to all temporal and divine beings? *

A

Brahman

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6
Q

How did the first people of this faith come up with the visualization of their gods? *

A

Through meditation

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7
Q

What is this called? *

A

SUBJECT: Vishnu Anantasayana panel (Relief of Vishnu Sleeping)

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8
Q

Where is this piece located? * (Vishnu Anantasayana panel)

A

Located: Deogarh

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9
Q

Explain the style and formal qualities of this piece - (Hint: one of them is scale. Use the word hierarchy) *

A

Style and formal qualities: In terms of scale, the figure of Vishnu is larger than all other figures (similar to the hierarchy of figures seen in ancient Egyptian art). There are also sections divided by lines and patterns in the borders. Movement: The wave and the figures - especially those below Shiva - are in movement while Shiva is laying still.

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10
Q

Which Hindu god is featured in this piece? *

A

Hindu god: Vishnu

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11
Q

The central figure is floating on what? HINT: the _____ of _____) *

A

The waters of oblivion

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12
Q

What is this called? *

A

SUBJECT: Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna’s Penance

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13
Q

Where is this located? *

A

Located: Mahabalipuram, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. (SouthEast India)

Coast of the Bay of Bengal

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14
Q

What is one of the stories depicted in this piece? And name one of the Hindu gods that is featured in this piece. *

A

Decent of the Ganges - how the gods allowed the Ganges to descend from the heavens to reward a sage named Bhagiratha, who had practiced many years of spiritual devotion.

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15
Q

What ritual is practiced each year (during some holidays) on this piece? *

A

Ritual practiced here: During certain holidays, water is poured on the relief to represent the story behind this unique structure.

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16
Q

What is this called? *

A

SUBJECT: Nataraja

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17
Q

Explain the movement and balance of this piece - *

A

Movement and balance of this piece: Balance: While overall the piece appears balanced, especially in the symmetrical headdress and the ring surrounding the piece, it does put more emphasis on its left side because three of its four arms are focused on that side and the right leg is raised and extended to the left side (from the POV of the photo)

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18
Q

Which Hindu god is featured in this piece? What is this god known for (what is their major role)? and What is this god doing in this piece? *

A

Which Hindu god: Shiva. What is this god known for: Destroyer of the Universe. What are they doing in this piece: Shiva is dancing within a flaming halo that represents the universe (mass, time and space whose endless cycle of destruction and recreation moves to the beat of Shiva’s drum and the rhythm of his steps).

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19
Q

This figure is standing on something. What is it? (EXTRA POINT if you can remember the sculpture I compared this to (someone stepping on someone’s head). *

A

Standing on top of: the demon Apasmara Purusha. Compared to David and Goliath by Donatello. David stands on Goliath’s head after defeating him with his slingshot.

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20
Q

What is the function of this piece? *

A

Function: This piece was intended to be mobile which is why it is of moderate size and has a sizable circular base as these make it ideal for lifting and hoisting onto a shoulder. Hindu devotees carried these statues in processional parades as priests trailed behind chanting prayers and bestowing blessings on those gathered for this event

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21
Q

What did the famous French sculptor Rodin say about this piece? *

A

Rodin said: the “perfect expression of rhythmic movement in the world.”

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22
Q

MATERIALS: What is this made of and why did this particular empire have access to it? *

A

Made of bronze (bronze casting). The Chola empire stretched south-east towards Sri Lanka which gave the kingdom access to vast copper reserves that enabled the proliferation of bronze work by skilled artisans.

23
Q

What was the Buddha’s real name? (HINT: Prince _________. Another hint: his name is used in the title of one of the 8 subjects you had to study) *

A

Buddha’s real name: Siddhartha Gautama

24
Q

What is the name for the supreme form of enlightenment that freed the Buddha from all early concerns and desires? *

A

Nirvana

25
Q

Name three ways to attain enlightenment? *

A

Attain enlightenment through meditation, dedication to gods and renouncing earthly pleasure and possessions

26
Q

What is this called? *

A

SUBJECT: The Great Departure of Prince Siddhartha

27
Q

How is the Buddha represented in this piece? *

A

Represented by parasol

28
Q

What is the subject matter of this piece (What story is being told here?) *

A

Story of Buddha leaving the palace to leave behind his life of earthly pleasures and possessions. In search of Nirvana

29
Q

What is the archway/ gateway above the figure called? This architecture is featured in many Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples and sculptures. What is its significance? (See the “Vocab” slide from my slideshow) https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Zaxsh158qfzc30jPDIfAGQ6bhISR–oLNqh4AVKSxM4/edit#slide=id.g10164e6e706_0_85 *

A

Archway/ gateway called Torana. Significance: Directional gates; guiding the practitioner in the correct direction on the correct path to Enlightenment.

30
Q

What shrine is this from? *

A

Shrine: Great Shrine of Amaravati

31
Q

What is this called? *

A

SUBJECT: Borobudur Candi

32
Q

Where is this located? *

A

Location: Central Java, Indonesia

33
Q

What is the term for this type of pyramid? *

A

Stepped pyramid

34
Q

Explain the patterns in this architecture (from the style and formal qualities) and the significance of “paths” - *

A

Patterns and significance of paths: The concept of “paths” are very important in Buddhism. The path of the temple directs you to the uppermost point, a reference to a pilgrimage to a higher point.

35
Q

Explain the productoin and patronage of this piece - *

A

Production and patronage: Designed by (poet, thinker and architect), Gunadharma. Construction commissioned by rulers of the Sailendra Dynasty

36
Q

What kind of stone was used to build this temple? *

A

Stone: Andesite rock

37
Q

What is this called? *

A

SUBJECT: Angkor Wat

38
Q

What country is this temple located in? *

A

Country: Cambodia

39
Q

Originally, this building was a ______________ temple but now it is a ________________ temple. (What religion?) *

A

Initially a Hindu temple. Now a Buddhist site

40
Q

What European country colonized this country and what did an explorer (from this country) say about this temple? *

A

France. Explorer from France said it was “grander than anything left to us by ancient Greece or Rome”

41
Q

This temple contains many bas-reliefs. What is a bas-relief? (HINT: it is either a low or high relief) Fun fact: This is a French term so it is pronounced bah-relief. *

A

Bas-relief is a low relief (bas is a French word for low. Pronounced “bah”)

42
Q

This temple might have originally been devoted to who? (A god and a person. Name both) *

A

Originally devoted to: Vishnu and Emperor Suryvarman II

43
Q

What is this called? *

A

SUBJECT: Ananda Attending the Parinirvana of the Buddha

44
Q

Where is this located? *

A

Located: Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka (Island country off the coast of India)

45
Q

What story is being told through this piece? *

A

Story: Shows the Buddha’s parinirvana with his attendant/ follower grieving by his side.

46
Q

TRUE OR FALSE: The Buddha encouraged relics. *

A

False (the Buddha did not want relics to be used by his followers… Some relics were kept anyway, despite his wishes).

47
Q

What is this called? *

A

SUBJECT: Chakrasamvara Mandala

48
Q

What museum is this piece currently housed in? *

A

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC aka “The Met”

49
Q

Explain the style and formal qualities of this piece? *

A

Style and formal qualities: Geometric and symmetrical style - creating balance. Colors are warm earth tones - adds to balance of the piece. Movement in some of the figures

50
Q

Who are the figures in the center and what do they “embody” or symbolize? *

A

Figures in the center: Chakrasamvara and his consort, Vajravarahi. They symbolize: Embody the divine knowledge of the Yoga Tantras.

51
Q

What does the lotus symbolize? *

A

Lotus symbolizes: Purity of spirit and the mind. Also, enlightenment.

52
Q

What and where was the Silk Road? *

A

The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes, connecting the East and West. These routes helped the spread of Buddhism and its artwork (such as mandalas).

53
Q

Explain the materials and technique used to create this piece? *

A

Tapestry on cloth. Painted.

54
Q

Name one difference between Hinduism and Buddhism. *

A

The difference between the Brahman (in Hinduism) and Nirvana (in Buddhism).