Introduction to

Hindu- Buddist
Architecture
BIA1022 History of Asian Architecture
Buddhism
The religion centered in Southern
Nepal – near Indian border
Spread throughout SE Asia and East
Asia via 3 sect
i) Theravada
ii) Mahayana
iii) Vajrayana Buddhists
The beliefs of Buddhism are in their four
noble truths which are:
• All of the living must endure suffering,
suffering is caused by a desire to live,
and leads to reincarnation,
• The goal of existence is to escape
suffering and the cycle of reincarnation
in to Nirvana,
• Nirvana is attained through an
Eightfold Path of rightness of belief,
resolve, speech, action, livelihood,
effort, thought, and meditation.
Hindusim
The religion centered in Northern India near the
Indus River
Monotheistic and polytheistic because the world
one god with 3 qualities
i) Brahma
ii) Vishnu
iii) Shiva
Three core beliefs of Hinduism are:
• human beings are unrestricted from their
bodies or minds,
• purpose of life is to be released from cycles
of reincarnation and to achieve Nirvana,
• the holy texts of Hinduism (Vedas) are the
ultimate authority in the religion,
• people in the Hinduism religion believe in
Karma which is where beneficial effects are
derived from past beneficial actions and
harmful effects from past harmful actions.
 Similarities and Differences between Buddhism and Hinduism

They are different in many ways.

• both of their origins in India.
• “Lord Buddha, the prophet of Buddhism,
hailed from a Hindu family.
• both religions share common beliefs in
reincarnation.

They are different in many ways.

• One way is that Buddhism reaches Nirvana
through eightfold path and Noble truths
where as Hinduism reaches it through
several ways.

• “Buddhism emphasizes on sufferings in the

existing world whereas Hindus believe that
one can enjoy divine bliss through moksha or
reunion with God” (Kumar 2018).
RELIGIONS OF INDIA
HINDUISM
•No Founder- beliefs vedas as
sacred texts.
•Practice cast structure- social
hierarchy 4 classes:
•priests, warriors,
•merchants/artist/craftsmen, and
laborers
•Innumerable dieties:
incarnations of 3 supreme Gods:
Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma
BUDDHISM
•Founder- Sidharta Gautama
Buddha; ca. 563-483 BCE
• the Buddha or “enlightened
one,”
•Buddha introduced the concept
of peace through inner
discipline.
•Intended to enable overcome
worldly suffering (human
desires) and achieve Nirvana.
JAINISM
•Inspired by- Vardhamana
& Jiha- 546
•Believers mainly from
merchants & bankers
•Acquire spriritual merit
through charity, good
works, monastic retreat
•Monuments: No
significant style

•Monuments: Hindu temples, •Spread to Sri Lanka, China,

Gopuras and Angkor Watt Tibet, and South East Asia
•Monuments: Chaityas, Stupa
and Vihara
Early Buddhist Shrines
YEARS

STARTS: ca. 3000 BCE

ACHIEVEMENTS

MATURE PHASE: 1000BCE Developed PICTORIAL SCRIPTS

identified as HARAPPAN SCRIPT (400
character) survived in personal seals.
STARTED SIGNIFICANCE: 2700BCE Developed a proper IRRIGATION system
& SEWER Management

AREA of ORIGIN

INDUS VALLEY by the rivers of

INDUS &
GHAGGAR-HAKRA-RIVER, now
Pakistan &
Part of Afghanistan
Harrapa civilization in Indus Valley –most well developed urban water supply and sewage systems in the world. .
INTRODUCTION
Early Buddhist Shrines

Theravada Buddhism
 Oldest form of Buddhism spread to South East Asia region
Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia,
 Buddhism and Hinduism spread from India to SE Asia by trade
 Buddhism largely died out in India as Islam spread in SE Asia
322-185BCE the rise of Buddhism

 King Ashoka: ruled all of Modern

day India.
 His goal: Spread the doctrine of
Buddhism
 Government based on dharma:
moral law.
Buddhist Architecture
Establishes shrines as permanent form to the religion.

 1st shrines were created after the death of Buddha.

 Buddha cremated remains placed in 10 locations in simple hemispherical mound of
rubble and earth known as STUPA
 Buddhist architecture: large monasteries of stone and brick
• Chaitya Hall is place of worship and also placed with ashes of the deceased
leaders in a mound on the outskirt of their settlement.
• Later Buddhist monks settled in the vicinity of stupas to form small monasteries
(VIHARA) of individual cells organized around open courts.
Early Buddhist Shrines
Dharmaksha Stupa, Sarnath •The Dhamekh Stupa and the Dharmarajika
stupa at Sarnath are believed to have been built
by Ashoka and later rebuilt in the Gupta period.

•Buddha gave his First Sermon in Sarnath and

also founded the Sangha or Order of Monks
here.

•The original Dhamekh Stupa built with mud or

brick is a cylindrical structure 43.5 m. high.

•The stone basement has eight projecting faces

with niches in them.

•Delicately carved with beautiful floral and geo-

metrical patterns, it is believed to have been put
up in the Gupta period.
 Vihara
Early Buddhist Shrines
Great
Stupa Early
Chaitya
 Caves Hall
 Sacred place
 For holy ones and
ascetics (practicing strict
self-denial as a measure
of personal and especially
spiritual discipline).
 Vihara: living quarters of
monks
 Chaitya: “sacred”
contains a stupa

Reconstruction view of the Buddhist temple complex, Sanchi.

In the center is the Great Stupa, and to the right is the an early chaitya hall. The
rectangular plan building at the upper left is a vihara, a residence for monks, of which
only the foundations remain.
Early Buddhist Shrines
Great Stupa, Sanchi India, ca. 250 BCE
Torano Gate/ Vandanamalikas
 SITE: derived from burial mounds, cardinal points,
reach to the heavens.

 Structure: Dome = arc of the sky-model of the

cosmos. Oldest surviving Buddhist stupa
reconstructed during Emperor Asoka reign.

 Function: house Buddha’s relics. Sacred path for

circumambulation to worship Buddha.

 On top of stupa is a square railing (harmika) & 3

tiered umbrella form (chatra).
Early Buddhist Shrines
Great Stupa, Sanchi India, ca. 250 BCE

Chatra
Harmika
Early Buddhist Shrines
Early Buddhist Shrines
Chaitya Hall
 The original chaitya made of timber. Later
developed into cave structure.

 The basic plan consisted of a hall deep into the

cave ending in an apse containing a stupa, with
space around it for circulation.

 The roof was barrel-vaulted with the ribs of the

wooden prototype clearly replicated in stone.

 The openings of the chaitya or entrance portals

had sculpted facades , and were defined by a
horseshoe arch.

ELEVATION OF ENTRANCE
The Spread of Buddhist Influences
Chaitya Hall, to circumambulate (walk around) the Stupa
Pillared ambulatories carved out from a cave

Barrel vault with apse

Chaitya Hall, Karle, India, ca. 100 C.E.

The Spread of Buddhist Influences

Adjantha Cave
 The spread of Buddhist influences continues and more structures being built.

 The prominent features of Adjantha cave includes: cylindrical base, stupa top with
tripple umbrella.

 The roof was barrel-vaulted with the ribs of the wooden prototype clearly
replicated in stone.

 The openings of the chaitya or entrance portals had sculpted facades , and were
defined by a horseshoe arch.
The Spread of Buddhist Influences
Ajanta Caves
1st century BCE and 5th century CE
The Spread of Buddhist Influences
Ajanta Cave II (Queen’s Cave)
The Spread of Buddhist Influences
Ceiling Painting
Spread of Buddhist influence in South East Asia
 The spread of Buddhist to the
South East Asia in 4th & 5 CE
through merchants, who were
active in an area around Bengal
bay and eastern ocean.

 Indian technology introduced by

Indian traders like Potters wheel,
elephant and horses.

 The significant monument from

Buddhism & Hinduism is Stupa
Shrine at Borobudur, Java Island,
Indonesia (ca. 800-50).
Cosmic Mountain, Borobudur, Java, Indonesia, ca. 800 C.E., 400 ft. wide

 Set on mountains.
 Pyramidal form and constructed on
terrain to become an artificial hill.
 Symmetrical and oriented to the
cardinal directions.
 Lower 4 tiers of pilgrimage route
enriched with galleries over 3 miles
in distance.
 1500 Stupas
 1000 reliefs,
 500 life size Buddha images
 4 directional stairways
 Parapets so worshippers can only
see the sky
Close up of stupa with Buddha, Borobudur, Java, Indonesia

 Function of a Stupa: Worshippers circumambulate to view reliefs and

reach a more advanced stage of understanding.
HINDU TEMPLES
 From 5 CE Hinduism became the dominant religion in India.

 Indian technology introduced by Indian traders like Potters wheel, elephant and
horses.

 The religion belief in cosmos, multiple deities and believers connection with God,
therefore the temple consists of dwellings of their gods.

 Temples are symbols of mountains Mount Meru, sacred cave and cosmic axis.
HINDU TEMPLES: LADKHAN TEMPLE, AIHOLE, 7TH CE.
 Lad Khan Temple is situated at Aihole in Hungund Taluk of Bagalkort District,
 It is the oldest temple which dates back to the 5th century. Initially, it was a royal
assembly hall and marriage mandapa (hall). The main temple has another shrine-
like vimana on its roof
HINDU TEMPLES: Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho. 1025-1050
 It is considered one of the best examples of
temples preserved from the medieval period in
India
 The main spire or shikhara rises 31 m to depict
Mount Kailash, the Himalayan mountain abode
of Shiva and is surrounded by 84 miniature
spires.
 The temple is considered to be the most
impressive and refined in the Khajuraho
complex, with over 900 sculptures carved into
sandstone stacked without mortar.
HINDU TEMPLES: Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho, India, ca. 1025-50.

 Vishvanatha: Shiva: Lord of

the universe
 STRUCTURE:
Four stone towers like the
foothills of the Himalayas
Temple as sculpture
 FUNCTION
Interior caves deities’
home
Exterior reliefs: Focus of
worship
Angkor Wat, Angkor, Cambodia 12th Century

 Largest temple complex in

Cambodia
 Largest religious monument in
the world
 Stretching over some 400 km2,
including forested area, Angkor
Archaeological Park contains
the magnificent remains of the
different capitals of the Khmer
Empire, from the 9th to the
15th century.
 Rises up in steps
 Patron: Khmer King
Suryavarman-
 Reliefs of the king shows
his power
 Surrounded by a moat
Spread over an area of more than 200 hectares,

1. the Temple Mountain and

2. the Galleried Temple.

Angkor, Cambodia, 12th century C.E. A mega polis (city within city).
the Angkor Wat was built using the two fundamental
plans of Khmer architecture
1. Temple Mountain plan,
the temple is depicted
as Mount Meru,
the abode of Hindu Gods.

2. Galleried Temple
The wall and moat
enclosing the temple,
an outer structure and inner structure.
represent mountains
and
oceans respectively.
Architecture of Angkor Wat
 Built in 12th Century, at Angkor in Cambodia,
 It is rich in ancient structures, the most important of them being
the Angkor Wat (temple). Angkor Wat was built by the Khmer
King Suryavarman II, as his state temple in the capital city of
Angkor.
 It was dedicated to the Hindu God, Vishnu.
 The temple took 37 years to be built and had turned the people
of the kingdom into slaves who worked hard to raise the
temple.
 Though, initially a Hindu temple, it became an important
Buddhist religious center, under the rule of Srindravarman who
adopted Buddhism as the state religion.

Outer Structure
 The temple complex is enclosed within a 190 m wide moat.
 A stretch of 30 m wide open ground separates the moat from
the 4.5 m high outer wall that surrounds the temple on all four
sides.
 Entry to the temple complex is guarded by an impressive
architectural structure, which is on each side of the outer wall,
is known as the gopura.
 Inside the walls lies an area of 820,000 square meters that not
only has the temple, but also housed the entire city and the
royal palace.
Inner Structure of Angkor Wat
 The inner structure contains the temple, that stands on a raised
terrace made of three rectangular galleries, rising to a central
tower.
 The three galleries are believed by some to represent Brahma -
the creator according to Hindu mythology, the moon, and
Vishnu the Hindu god who is supposed to be the preserver of all
forms of life.
 The central tower forms a quincunx with the other towers on the
gallery to represent mount Meru, surrounded by other peaks.
 By the 12th century the Khmer craftsmen had become skilled
workers of sandstone. The temple is made of sandstone, and is
intricately decorated with scenes from Hindu epics (like the
Ramayana and Mahabharata) in bas relief.
 The temple preserves the style of the Khmer period, in the form
of towers that are shaped like lotus buds, cruciform terraces
and axial galleries that connect enclosures.
 the Angkor Wat faces the west. Some believe that this deviation
from the usual orientation of Khmer temples towards the east, is
because it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is associated with
the west direction.
 However, some other scholars believe that orientation towards
the west direction reflects Suryavarman II's desire to use the
temple for personal funerary purpose.
5.4 Hindu Temples

Angkor Wat, Angkor, Cambodia, 12th century C.E.

5.4 Hindu Temples

Angkor Wat, Angkor, Cambodia, 12th century C.E.

Angkor Wat, Angkor, Cambodia, 2011
5.4 Hindu Temples
King Suryavarman II holding court, Angkor Wat, relief

Sits on a throne with legs of cobra heads. Followers

kneel with parasols and fans
Dashavatara temple sculpture at Deogarh,
completed about 500 CE.
Prambanan or Rara Jonggrang is a
9th-century Hindu temple
compound in Special Region of
Yogyakarta, Indonesia,
 dedicated to the Trimūrti, the
expression of God as the Creator,
the Preserver and the Transformer.
. Hindu-Buddhist Influence in Malaysia

 From 1st to 15th centuries, eg. Funan,

Langkasuka, Malayu, Srivijaya, Majapahit etc

 Lembah Bujang became the trade and

Hindu/Buddhism propagation centre in Southeast
Asia from the 3rd. to the 12th century AD

 Lembah Bujang was a central port which served as

a trade center for traders dominating the trading
routes between the eastern and western countries
especially the Chinese, Indian and Arab traders as
well as Malay traders in the Malay archipelago who
monopolized spice and exotic jungle goods trade for
middle east export.

 Lembah Bujang was also the first port in southeast

Asia via its sea route which functioned as an
alternative route to China or Far East to replace the
silk road, which connected Chinese and Far
Eastern traders by land.
HINDU TEMPLES In Malaysia

 Lembah Bujang has a deep history that goes

back 1,500 years .
 The most well-known 'exhibit' at the museum
is the Candi Bukit Batu Pahat.
 It is believed to be built in the 17th Century
on the summit of the small hill behind the
main building.
 It contains two principal parts - thevimana or
sanctuary, and the mandapa or hall.
 There are also statues of Indian Gods and
Goddesses, similar to those uncovered of
historical sites in India.
 Lembah Bujang was also
the first port in southeast
Asia via its sea route
which functioned as an
alternative route to China
or Far East to replace the
silk road, which
connected Chinese and
Far Eastern traders by
land.
Chandi Lembah Bujang – excavated in 1960 by Allistair Lamb
 The Melaka Kingdom started in 1403 established by refuge prince Parameswara.

 The most well-known architecture described by the Portuguese and Chinese

accounts for wooden palace of Sultan Mansur Shah on top of St Paul Hill with
watch towers and palisades.

Artist image of Sultan Mansur Shah

Palace and below is the modern day
depiction of the palace.
The influence of Hindu in Malay traditional architecture

 Architecture
• Steep roof made of berlian timber
• Traditional Malay architectural features includes tunjuk langit
• Carving motifs of plants forms either the structure, elements
or the decoration.
• They can be seen on the façade of the buildings such as;
❑ fascia boards,
❑ door leaves,
❑ ventilation panels over doors or windows, and
❑ perforated wall panels.
  Architecture
PRINCIPAL FORMS AND SHAPE OF CARVED COMPONENTS

Stupa Gunungan Makara Lotus

•These forms were actually from Hinduism motifs which the Malay craftsmen
adopted and adapted that were derived through thoughtful observation towards
their living surroundings
 PRINCIPAL FORMS AND SHAPE OF CARVED COMPONENTS
•The stupa form can be found in house component such as buah buton or newel of
stairs or gate.

•The gunungan is a silhouette of a mountain or tree of life; a symbol of status.

The gateway of a house compound is vividly carved in gunungan. This
form is also applied to other components including ventilation panel of doors or
windows and door learies.

•The makara refers as center of cosmological imagination for a mythology of sea-

monster in Pattani and Kelantan. Bargeboards on Terengganu houses
distinctively depicted the form of makara that enhance the façade of the building.
This component differentiates the form of the house in Terengganu over houses in
Perak and Negeri Sembilan.

•Lotus is the symbol of purity and its form is applied to a variety of house
components including door leaf, fascia board, ventilation panel and
buah buton. Apart from house components, the form is also carved at the foot of
tombstone and base of kris hilt.
Ancient Indian Architecture Part I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTh9l7WLxl4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_temple_archi
tecture

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