1. Indian Art

2. The Indian subcontinent is the home of one of the world’s oldest civilizations The Indian subcontinent is the home of one of the world’s oldest civilizations India is approximately the size of Europe India is approximately the size of Europe Urban culture began 2500 BCE Urban culture began 2500 BCE Essential character of Indian art did not change despite many invasions and the influence of many religions: Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism Essential character of Indian art did not change despite many invasions and the influence of many religions: Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism Indian art is full of SYMBOLISM drawn from it’s rich culture Indian art is full of SYMBOLISM drawn from it’s rich culture

3. Let’s put it in historical context 326 BC Alexander the Great arrives (tie in to last years Greek Art) defeated Porus’s army of 50,000 troops and 200 elephants (this is not 300 that’s in 26 years) 326 BC Alexander the Great arrives (tie in to last years Greek Art) defeated Porus’s army of 50,000 troops and 200 elephants (this is not 300 that’s in 26 years) Religions of Jainism and Buddhism main religions Religions of Jainism and Buddhism main religions 6 th century: Mahavira (founder of Jainism) 6 th century: Mahavira (founder of Jainism) Buddha (means 'enlightened one' - founder of Buddhism 563 – 483 BCE) Buddha (means 'enlightened one' - founder of Buddhism 563 – 483 BCE)

4. Originally only a simple mound made up of mud or clay, to cover supposed relics of the Buddha. The earth hills were faced with stone and covered with gilded stucco. After the ‘passing away’ of the Buddha his remains were cremated and the ashes divided and buried under eight stupas with two further stupas encasing the urn and the embers. Originally only a simple mound made up of mud or clay, to cover supposed relics of the Buddha. The earth hills were faced with stone and covered with gilded stucco. After the ‘passing away’ of the Buddha his remains were cremated and the ashes divided and buried under eight stupas with two further stupas encasing the urn and the embers. Great Stupa at Sanchi What is a stupa? A stupa is a religious object symbolizing Buddha's teachings. They are mystical- contains relics- such as old monks clothes or begging bowls or holy scriptures 3 rd century BCE to early first century

5. This is a recurrence of the symbolism of the dome whereby Earth supports Heaven and Heaven covers Earth. This is a recurrence of the symbolism of the dome whereby Earth supports Heaven and Heaven covers Earth. The so-called "parasols," set one above the other along the shaft emerging from its uppermost region, represent a heavenly hierarchy. The cosmic symbolism is completed by a ritual circumambulatory path around the monument- like the Hajj in Mecca). The so-called "parasols," set one above the other along the shaft emerging from its uppermost region, represent a heavenly hierarchy. Three-tiered umbrella symbolizes the three jewels of Buddhism: the Budda, the dharma (Buddah’s Law), and the Order (fraternity of monks). The cosmic symbolism is completed by a ritual circumambulatory path around the monument- like the Hajj in Mecca). More a sculpture of the ‘Cosmos’ than a space enclosing building More a sculpture of the ‘Cosmos’ than a space enclosing building The stupa is a cosmic symbol. Its hemispherical shape represents the world egg (Womb of life- also the heavens-sky). Stupas commonly rest on a square pedestal (the earth) and are carefully aligned with the four cardinal points of the compass.

6. The Great Stupa is 120 feet across (36.6 meters) and, excluding the railing and umbrella, is 54 feet high (16.46 meters). Started about 250 BCE. With the decline of Buddhism, the site decayed and was eventually completely forgotten. But, between 1912 and 1919, the structures were carefully repaired to their present condition and restored.

7. Another interesting characteristic about the Sanchi Stupa is that Lord Buddha has been symbolically represented by footprints, wheels, thrones etc rather than by his own image. The gateways of Sanchi stupas contain ornamented depiction of incidents from the life of the Buddha and his previous incarnations as Bodhisattvas described in the Jataka tales. The Buddha has been shown symbolically in the form of tree or through other inanimate figures. During the first century BCE, one hundred years later, the 4 stone gateways and surrounding terrace were added.

8. The Great Departure East Gate, Sanchi At the left is Buddha's home city of Kapilavastu. From left to right across the architrave, Prince Siddhartha proceeds out of the city, his horse's hooves supported by attendant spirits so as not to alert the household to his departure. The horse is shown several times, as a standard narrative convention denoting movement. At the far right, Siddhartha's followers return to the city. Throughout the panel, as everywhere at Sanchi, the Buddha is represented symbolically-- in the present scene by parasols and, at the far right, by a pair of footprints under worshipparasolsfootprints

9. Winged Lions and Peacocks East Gate, Sanchi Detail showing the carving of winged lions and peacocks. Both these animals have royal associations, and hence are suitable for Buddha as well as Ashoka whose procession is depicted on the architrave. Above the lions is a scene of worshipers venerating the dharmachakra (Wheel of Law, symbolic of Buddha's teaching). dharmachakra

10. In the fourth century CE, four stones Buddahs were placed along the outside walls of the stupa In the fourth century CE, four stones Buddahs were placed along the outside walls of the stupa

11. Other Stupas

12. The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya has been built to last for over 1,000 years. The finest and most enduring materials have been used throughout the structure. The shape of the Stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and seated in the meditation posture on a throne. His crown is the top spire; his head is the square at the spire's base; his body is the vase shape; his legs are the four steps of the lower terrace; and the base is his throne.

14. CENTRED: The word ‘mandala’ literally means circle or centre. It is basically a form or object created from a series of geometric forms that share the same centre. While a variety of forms can be found a basic mandala is no more than a circle inside a square. The word ‘mandala’ literally means circle or centre. It is basically a form or object created from a series of geometric forms that share the same centre. While a variety of forms can be found a basic mandala is no more than a circle inside a square. Looking at a stupa side on – and this is how we usually see them –; with the sphere half buried in the cube which is itself buried in the earth. The shared centre is more obvious from an aerial view. Looking at a stupa side on – and this is how we usually see them –; with the sphere half buried in the cube which is itself buried in the earth. The shared centre is more obvious from an aerial view. A circle is a symbol of the heavens while a square is symbolic of the earth, and of the ‘man-made’ world. The circle – heaven – is contained within the square – earth. A circle is a symbol of the heavens while a square is symbolic of the earth, and of the ‘man-made’ world. The circle – heaven – is contained within the square – earth. The Buddhist principle of enlightenment can be considered, symbolically, as the pure centre of this circle. The Buddhist principle of enlightenment can be considered, symbolically, as the pure centre of this circle. It is in fact beyond ‘heaven’. It is not ‘up there’ or somewhere else but right here, at this point in time, within this present moment. It is in fact beyond ‘heaven’. It is not ‘up there’ or somewhere else but right here, at this point in time, within this present moment.

15. The pattern of creation The word "mandala" is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean "circle," a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself--a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds. The pattern of creation The word "mandala" is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean "circle," a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself--a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds. www.mandalaproject.org/What/Index.html

16. SAND MANDALAS: Different cultures, similar expression Both Navajo Indians and Tibetan monks create sand mandalas to demonstrate the impermanence of life. SAND MANDALAS: Different cultures, similar expression Both Navajo Indians and Tibetan monks create sand mandalas to demonstrate the impermanence of life.sand mandalassand mandalas In ancient Tibet, as part of a spiritual practice, monks created intricate mandalas with colored sand made of crushed semiprecious stones. In ancient Tibet, as part of a spiritual practice, monks created intricate mandalas with colored sand made of crushed semiprecious stones. Millions of grains of sand are painstakingly laid into place on a flat platform over a period of days or weeks. When finished, to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists, the colored sands are swept up and poured into a nearby river or stream where the waters carry the healing energies throughout the world. The tradition continues to this day as the monks travel to different cultures around the world to create sand mandalas and educate people about the culture of Tibet. The tradition continues to this day as the monks travel to different cultures around the world to create sand mandalas and educate people about the culture of Tibet.

17. Mandala Everything has a beginning –the ‘starting point’, and from one point, before the next beginning, all is unknown, everything is possible. Everything has a beginning –the ‘starting point’, and from one point, before the next beginning, all is unknown, everything is possible. We create symmetrical patterns and expect repetition but within the mandala are both difference and sameness, movement and stillness. Each point is both the beginning and the end. We create symmetrical patterns and expect repetition but within the mandala are both difference and sameness, movement and stillness. Each point is both the beginning and the end. The mandala is to be experinced from the precise centre, a pure point beyond space and time. The mandala is to be experinced from the precise centre, a pure point beyond space and time. This point is the present moment, infinite and eternal. This point is the present moment, infinite and eternal. The stupa is designed to draw the mind in from the general surroundings to the base, toward the centre of the dome and then lead one’s gaze upwards to the apex, to the point. This is the development of two spiritual activities; concentration (through being focussed), insight (by investigation and reflection on the process). These two qualities are developed in the practice of meditation and contemplation – aspiring to the letting go and trancendence of worldly concepts and all views of one’s self. The stupa is designed to draw the mind in from the general surroundings to the base, toward the centre of the dome and then lead one’s gaze upwards to the apex, to the point. This is the development of two spiritual activities; concentration (through being focussed), insight (by investigation and reflection on the process). These two qualities are developed in the practice of meditation and contemplation – aspiring to the letting go and trancendence of worldly concepts and all views of one’s self. www.buddhamind.info/leftside/arty/stupa/sanchi.htm

18. THE WHEEL : THE WHEEL : The wheel is a common symbol of the Buddha’s teaching, of truth, and can be seen as a simple mandala. As it turns, the centre remains still while everything else turns around it. The wheel is a common symbol of the Buddha’s teaching, of truth, and can be seen as a simple mandala. As it turns, the centre remains still while everything else turns around it. The practice of meditation is a journey, questioning if there is such a ‘centre’ and if so, where might it be?’ The practice of meditation is a journey, questioning if there is such a ‘centre’ and if so, where might it be?’

21. Total 10Communication & Product Presentation - quality of final product, neatness and care in the finishing touches 10Technical technique-drawing and skill with medium used 10Application and the Creation Process (merging the symbols into a unified mandala) including use of radial symmetry and mirroring of images. 10Understanding/ Visual Literacy of symbols Comments:10Problem solving/preparation Sketchbook design work including thumbnail sketches