Utilizing knowledge of the Orissan Brahmanical Art, this text seeks to develop a similar consistent and reliable iconographic and stylistic evolution for the Buddhist Arts of Orissa and its adherence to, or deviation from, surviving textual iconographic peculiarities. The reciprocal influence between Brahmanical and Buddhist Art in Orissa is emphasized with both religions expanding at the same time in regard to proliferation of deities and variant forms, and each apparently competing with the other for patronage and converts.

The Present Book On The Iconography Of The Buddhist Sculpture Of Orissa Utilizes The Author'S Expertise Of Orissan Brahmanical Art To Develop A Similar Consistent And Reliable Iconographic And Stylistic Evolution For The Buddhist Arts Of Orissa And Its Adherence To, Or Deviation From, Surviving Textual Icono-Graphic Peculiarities. There Is Little Doubt That Orissa Played A Major Role In The Creation, Development And Dissemination Of Buddhist Doctrines And Concepts Throughout India And The Buddhist World, Particularly In Respect To Vajrayana Buddhism And The Iconography Of Sculptural Mandalas. Particular Emphasis In This Book Is Placed On The Reciprocal Influence Between Brahmanical And Buddhist Art In Orissa, Both Religions Expanding At The Same Time In Regard To The Proliferation Of Deities And Their Variant Forms, And Each Apparently Competing With The Other For Patronage And Converts.

The Present Book On The Iconography Of The Buddhist Sculpture Of Orissa Utilizes The Author'S Expertise Of Orissan Brahmanical Art To Develop A Similar Consistent And Reliable Iconographic And Stylistic Evolution For The Buddhist Arts Of Orissa And Its Adherence To, Or Deviation From, Surviving Textual Icono-Graphic Peculiarities. There Is Little Doubt That Orissa Played A Major Role In The Creation, Development And Dissemination Of Buddhist Doctrines And Concepts Throughout India And The Buddhist World, Particularly In Respect To Vajrayana Buddhism And The Iconography Of Sculptural Mandalas. Particular Emphasis In This Book Is Placed On The Reciprocal Influence Between Brahmanical And Buddhist Art In Orissa, Both Religions Expanding At The Same Time In Regard To The Proliferation Of Deities And Their Variant Forms, And Each Apparently Competing With The Other For Patronage And Converts.

Utilizing knowledge of the Orissan Brahmanical Art, this text seeks to develop a similar consistent and reliable iconographic and stylistic evolution for the Buddhist Arts of Orissa and its adherence to, or deviation from, surviving textual iconographic peculiarities. The reciprocal influence between Brahmanical and Buddhist Art in Orissa is emphasized with both religions expanding at the same time in regard to proliferation of deities and variant forms, and each apparently competing with the other for patronage and converts.

Ellora is one of the great cave temple sites of India, with thirty-four major Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments of the late sixth to tenth centuries A. D. This book describes the Buddhist caves at Ellora and places them in the context of Buddhist art and iconography. Ellora's twelve Buddhist cave temples, dating from the early seventh to the early eighth centuries, preserve an unparalleled one-hundred-year sequence of architectural and iconographical development. They reveal the evolution of a Buddhist mandala at sites in other regions often considered "peripheral" to the heartland of Buddhism in eastern India. At Ellora, the mandala, ordinarily conceived as a two-dimensional diagram used to focus meditation, is unfolded into the three-dimensional program of the cave temples themselves, enabling devotees to walk through the mandala during worship. The mandala's development at Ellora is explained and its significance is considered for the evolution of Buddhist art and iconography elsewhere in India.