Glossary
Angkor Wat
A vast temple complex in Cambodia, originally Hindu and later Buddhist, serving as a microcosm of the Hindu cosmos and a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II.
Example:
The bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat depict epic Hindu narratives, such as the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
Borobudur
A massive 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Indonesia, constructed as a stepped pyramid with stupas and reliefs, designed as a spiritual journey to enlightenment.
Example:
Circumambulating the terraces of Borobudur allows pilgrims to symbolically ascend through different levels of Buddhist cosmology.
Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, known as the 'awakened one' who achieved enlightenment.
Example:
A serene statue of the Buddha often depicts him in a meditative pose, symbolizing his profound spiritual realization.
Buddhism
A religion and philosophy founded by Siddhartha Gautama, focusing on achieving enlightenment and ending suffering through practices like meditation and ethical conduct.
Example:
Many artworks, like the monumental statues at the Longmen Caves, were created to venerate the principles of Buddhism and its enlightened figures.
Chairman Mao En Route to Anyuan
A color lithograph from China, a propaganda image depicting a young Mao Zedong as a revolutionary leader, widely disseminated during the Cultural Revolution.
Example:
Chairman Mao En Route to Anyuan was mass-produced to promote Mao's heroic image and inspire revolutionary fervor.
Christianity
A monotheistic Abrahamic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, primarily practiced by small communities in East Asia.
Example:
While less prevalent in East Asia, some historical artworks from regions like Japan show early influences of Christianity through missionary contact.
Confucianism
A system of ethical, philosophical, and religious thought developed by Confucius in ancient China, emphasizing social harmony, respect for authority, and moral conduct.
Example:
The emphasis on respect for elders and social hierarchy in Confucianism is evident in ancestor portraits and themes of filial piety.
Dao
The fundamental concept in Daoism, representing the natural order of the universe, the cosmic force that guides all things.
Example:
To live in accordance with the Dao means to embrace simplicity and flow with the rhythms of nature, rather than resisting them.
Daoism
An ancient Chinese philosophy and religion emphasizing living in harmony with the Dao, or 'the Way' of nature, often through simplicity and spontaneity.
Example:
Landscape paintings like 'Travelers Among Mountains and Streams' often reflect Daoism's appreciation for the natural world and its inherent balance.
Dharma
In Hinduism and Buddhism, it refers to one's righteous conduct, moral duties, and the cosmic law or order that sustains the universe.
Example:
Following one's dharma is considered essential for spiritual progress and maintaining societal harmony.
Filial Piety
A core Confucian virtue emphasizing respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and elders, both living and deceased.
Example:
The practice of filial piety often involved elaborate rituals and offerings to ancestors, as seen in the reverence for figures like Lady Dai.
Forbidden City
The imperial palace complex in Beijing, China, serving as the home of emperors and the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for nearly 500 years.
Example:
The symmetrical layout and grand scale of the Forbidden City exemplify the hierarchical and centralized power of the Chinese imperial system.
Funeral Banner of Lady Dai (Xin Zhui)
A silk banner from the Han Dynasty, China, found in the tomb of Lady Dai, depicting a cosmic journey from the underworld to the heavens, guiding her soul.
Example:
The Funeral Banner of Lady Dai (Xin Zhui) provides valuable insight into Han Dynasty cosmology and funerary practices.
Gold and Jade Crown
A ceremonial crown from the Silla Kingdom, Korea, made of gold and jade, symbolizing the wearer's power and connection to the sacred tree of life.
Example:
The tree-like and antler-like elements of the Gold and Jade Crown suggest shamanistic beliefs and connections to nature.
Great Stupa
A monumental Buddhist stupa located in Sanchi, India, one of the oldest and most significant Buddhist monuments, serving as a pilgrimage site.
Example:
The toranas, or gateways, of the Great Stupa are elaborately carved with narratives from the life of Buddha and Jataka tales.
Hinduism
A diverse system of religious and philosophical beliefs originating in the Indian subcontinent, characterized by a belief in reincarnation, dharma, and karma, and a pantheon of gods and goddesses.
Example:
The Lakshmana Temple, with its elaborate carvings of deities and mythological narratives, is a prime example of architecture dedicated to Hinduism.
Islam
A monotheistic Abrahamic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad, with significant communities in parts of South and Southeast Asia.
Example:
The intricate calligraphy in 'Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings' reflects the importance of written word and artistic expression within Islam.
Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings
A Mughal miniature painting from India, depicting Emperor Jahangir choosing spiritual wisdom over worldly power, reflecting cross-cultural influences.
Example:
In Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings, the emperor is shown on an hourglass throne, symbolizing the fleeting nature of time and earthly power.
Kami
Divine spirits or gods in Shintoism, believed to inhabit natural objects, places, animals, or to be ancestral spirits.
Example:
A waterfall might be considered sacred in Shintoism because it is believed to be the dwelling place of a powerful kami.
Karma
The sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.
Example:
The concept of karma suggests that every action, good or bad, will eventually return to the doer.
Lakshmana Temple
A Hindu temple in Khajuraho, India, dedicated to Vishnu, known for its elaborate sculptural program and intricate architectural details.
Example:
The Lakshmana Temple is renowned for its erotic sculptures, which are interpreted as symbols of fertility and spiritual union.
Longmen Caves
A series of Buddhist cave temples in China, featuring tens of thousands of statues and carvings, demonstrating the spread and evolution of Buddhism in China.
Example:
The colossal Vairocana Buddha statue at the Longmen Caves is a testament to the imperial patronage of Buddhism during the Tang Dynasty.
Mandala
A geometric configuration of symbols, often circular, representing the cosmos or deities in various spiritual traditions, particularly Buddhism and Hinduism.
Example:
The intricate layout of Borobudur can be interpreted as a three-dimensional mandala, guiding pilgrims through spiritual levels.
Night Attack on the Sanjô Palace
A handscroll painting from Japan, depicting a dramatic historical event from the Heiji Rebellion, characterized by its dynamic narrative and bird's-eye perspective.
Example:
The chaotic energy and detailed depiction of warriors and burning buildings in Night Attack on the Sanjô Palace vividly convey the intensity of the battle.
Portrait of Sin Sukju
A hanging scroll painting from the Joseon Dynasty, Korea, depicting a scholar-official, serving as a record of his appearance and a symbol of his loyalty and achievements.
Example:
The meticulous detail in the Portrait of Sin Sukju, from his robes to his facial features, reflects the importance of ancestor veneration and official status.
Raigo scenes
A type of Japanese Buddhist painting depicting Amida Buddha and his celestial retinue descending to welcome the soul of a dying devotee into the Western Paradise.
Example:
A Raigo scene might show Amida Buddha on a cloud, accompanied by bodhisattvas, offering comfort to a dying person.
Red and White Plum Blossoms
A pair of two-fold screens by Ogata Kōrin from Japan, depicting plum trees and a stream, exemplifying the Rinpa school's decorative style and natural motifs.
Example:
The vibrant colors and abstract patterns of Red and White Plum Blossoms create a striking visual harmony, blending naturalism with decorative flair.
Reincarnation
The rebirth of a soul in a new body or form, a central tenet in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Example:
Believers in reincarnation often strive to live ethically in hopes of achieving a more favorable rebirth.
Ryōan-ji
A Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, famous for its karesansui (dry landscape) rock garden, designed for meditation and contemplation.
Example:
The enigmatic arrangement of fifteen rocks in the Ryōan-ji garden is designed so that at least one rock is always hidden from view, encouraging deeper contemplation.
Shintoism
The indigenous religion of Japan, characterized by the worship of kami (divine spirits) found in nature and ancestral veneration.
Example:
The reverence for natural elements like mountains and waterfalls in Shintoism often leads to the establishment of shrines in scenic locations.
Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
A bronze sculpture from Tamil Nadu, India, depicting the Hindu deity Shiva performing his cosmic dance of creation and destruction.
Example:
The dynamic pose of Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja) symbolizes the cyclical nature of the universe and Shiva's role in it.
Stupa
A mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics, typically of Buddhist monks or nuns, used as a place of meditation and circumambulation.
Example:
Pilgrims would walk clockwise around the stupa at Sanchi, a ritual act of devotion and respect.
Syncretism
The blending or fusion of different religious, cultural, or philosophical beliefs and practices, often resulting in new forms of expression.
Example:
The architecture of Angkor Wat demonstrates syncretism, combining Hindu cosmological elements with later Buddhist additions.
Terracotta Warriors
An army of life-sized terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, buried with him to protect him in the afterlife.
Example:
Each of the Terracotta Warriors has unique facial features, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of ancient Chinese artisans.
The David Vases
A pair of blue-and-white porcelain temple vases from the Yuan Dynasty, China, notable for their inscriptions and early examples of cobalt blue decoration.
Example:
The David Vases are crucial for dating other blue-and-white porcelain pieces due to their precise inscription of date and purpose.
Travelers Among Mountains and Streams
A monumental ink on silk landscape painting by Fan Kuan from the Song Dynasty, China, embodying Daoist principles of harmony with nature.
Example:
The towering mountains and tiny human figures in Travelers Among Mountains and Streams emphasize the insignificance of humanity compared to the grandeur of nature.
Tōdai-ji
A Buddhist temple complex in Nara, Japan, housing a colossal bronze Buddha statue, symbolizing the power and influence of Buddhism in early Japan.
Example:
The massive wooden structure of Tōdai-ji, despite being rebuilt, remains one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.
Under the Wave off Kanagawa
A woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai from Japan, part of his 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji' series, iconic for its dramatic composition and depiction of nature's power.
Example:
The towering wave in Under the Wave off Kanagawa dwarfs the tiny boats, emphasizing the sublime power of nature over human endeavors.
Zen gardens
Dry landscape gardens, typically found in Zen Buddhist temples, composed of rocks, gravel, sand, and sometimes moss, designed for meditation and contemplation.
Example:
The raked gravel and carefully placed stones in a Zen garden like Ryōan-ji invite quiet reflection on nature and emptiness.
Zen ink painting
A style of ink wash painting associated with Zen Buddhism, characterized by spontaneous brushwork, minimalist compositions, and a focus on capturing the essence of a subject rather than precise detail.
Example:
A master of Zen ink painting could convey the vastness of a mountain range with just a few bold strokes and subtle washes.