Question

Compare the representations of the Buddha from Gandhara, Mathura, Gal Vihara, and Borobudur. How does each of these works reflect its respective creating culture? Use examples to support your essay.

Answer 1

• In the Gandhara school Buddha portrayed had Hellenistic features whereas in the Mathura school the Buddha was modelled on earlier Yaksha images. The Gandhara School had also roman as well as Greek influences and assimilated Archimedean, Parthian and Bactrian. The Buddha has curly hair and there are linear strokes over the head. The forehead plane has protruding eyeballs, eyes are half closed and the face and cheeks are not round like the images found in other parts of India. The ears are elongated especially the earlobes.
• Overall the image is very expressive and calmness remains the center point of attraction in Gandhara style of Buddha. An example of Buddha in Gandhara style is the Buddha head at Taxila which is in the Gandhara region.
• The art of Mathura tends to be based on an Indian tradition, exemplified by the anthropomorphic representation of divinities such as the Yaksas, although in a style rather archaic compared to the later representations of the Buddha. The Mathuran school contributed clothes covering the left shoulder of thin muslin, the wheel on the palm, the lotus seat.
• This iconic art was characterized from the start by a realistic idealism, combining realistic human features, proportions, attitudes and attributes, together with a sense of perfection and serenity reaching to the divine. This expression of the Buddha as both man and God became the iconographic canon for subsequent Buddhist art.
• Indonesia seems to have been most strongly influenced by India from the 1st century CE. The islands of Sumatra and Java in western Indonesia were the seat of the empire of Sri Vijaya (8th-13th century), which came to dominate most of the area around the Southeast Asian peninsula through maritime power. The Sri Vijayan Empire had adopted Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.
• Extremely rich and refined architectural remains are found in Java and Sumatra. The most magnificent is the temple of Borobudur (the largest Buddhist structure in the world, built around 780-850 AD), built by Sailendras.This temple is modelled after the Buddhist concept of universe, the Mandala which counts 505 images of the seated Buddha and unique bell-shaped stupa that contains the statue of Buddha. Borobudur is adorned with long series of bas-reliefs narrated the holy Buddhist scriptures
• Gal Vihara i.e. stone temple, Buddhist Temple,at Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka is the most perfect specimen of Buddha statue hewn out of solid stone. Crafted during the reign of King Parakrabahu (1153-1186 A.C), Gal Vihara statues are still in complete preservation with their irresistible charm and sublimity. It is undeniable that the sculptors of Gal Vihara were of greater skill and expertise in the art of stone sculpture in Sri Lanka. The images at Gal Vihara have brought about higher level of awakening in the observers with respect of Buddhist art in Sri Lanka.
• Gal Vihara consists of four cave shrines with sculptures hallowed out of a granite rock.
• The cave consists of a main image of Buddha sculpted out of the rock boulder, having carved round and four small bas relief carvings of Buddha. The small bas relief statues are carved on either sides, above the head of the main image.
• The main image depicts the chief of meditative Buddhas titled Dharmadhatu, Adi Buddha, Vairocana and Vajrasattva.
• The four small images of the Buddha in Dhayani Mudra represent the four directions of the universe.
• All five images are of Dhyana Mudra or meditative posture is believed to depict the all embracing Body of Law (Dharmakaya).
• The Buddha statue rising to 7 meters in height herein, stands on a lotus pedestal called Padmasana. Padmasana signifies that Buddha is a transcendental being.The standing statue is at the head of the massive reclining Buddha.
• The reclining image of Buddha at this cave is 14 meter long. In spite of the colossal proportions, the statue carries supreme grace and serenity.
• The Excavated cave too houses an image of Buddha in dhayana mudra or meditative attitude sculpted out of the rock boulder.
• Gal Vihara, like numerous other Buddhist shrines of Sri Lanka, is a shrine of Theravada Buddhism. Then again Gal Vihara testifies to the influence of Mahayana Buddhism during the 12th century.