1. Ch. 6. Religion, art and Architecture
Religion: Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism
Literature
Art, Architecture

2. Religion
Evidence of East-West understanding is clear in the religious ideas
Doctrines of Manichaeans, Gnostics and Neo-Platonists are some of the examples
Certain aspects of life of the Christ (supernatural birth and the temptation of the evil) are so closely parallel to the events in the legends of the life of the Buddha that it is difficult to avoid suspecting some indirect borrowing.
The observances of Essenes (of whom the Christ was said to be one) indicate knowledge of Indian religious belief and practice in the mediterranean world.
Childhood of Krishna and Childhood of Christ also show resemblances
The interaction was two sided- Influence of Zoroastrianism on Buddhism

3. Buddhism
Buddhism is at the background of much of the artistic and literary creation of this period (200 B.C.E -300 C.E).
Series of councils (4 Buddhist councils) were held to resolve disputes over issues of belief and theology
Buddha changed- although he opposed deification- he wad deified
Stories of his past births were composed

4. Two new sects emerged
Hinayana- lesser vehicle- nirvana as one reaches enlightenment
Mahayana- Nirvana with the help of future Buddhas
Missions were sent to many East Asian and South East Asian countries
Almost all the countries in Asia received Buddhism at this time
Thailand, Burma, Tibet still remain to be major Buddhist countries.

5. Nagarjuna Sunyavada- the middleway
His discussion with Menander are well known
New philosophy in Buddhism
Also resided in Satavahan court
Written a series of letters to Gautamiputra Satakarni
Lived in a monastery near- Amarawathi- in Nagarjuna konda.

7. Bodhisattwa
Not a Buddha yet- a person who postpones his enlightenment- Buddhahood- to attain liberation for the humans through his own suffering.
Number of Boddhisattwas and stories in Buddhism

8. Buddha-Bodhisattwa

9. Jainism Divided into two sects- Digambaras (sky clad)
Shvetambaras ( whit-clad)
Not theological division, but the question of practice
Western India
Also in the south
Not a huge following like Buddhism- but remained popular among dedicated group

10. Hinduism The theology and pantheon evolves Hindu trinity
Brahma- Creator- not many temples- asceticism
Vishnu- Balancer- numerous temples
Siva- destroyer- numerous temples, worshipped as a linga (phallus) also. Fertility symbolism in this worship- the male and female energies of the universe.
Practice and ritual important aspect of the religion

11. Bhakti= personal religion
from community ritual to personal worship
Bhagavadgita- the holy text of Hinduism
Christianity enters India
St. Thomas- enters India- 52 C.E.

12. Literature Kavya (long poem) are written during this period.
Tamil poem- Shilappadigaram is an outstanding poem of this time.
Story of the husband who neglects his wife for the courtesan- ends in the tragic death of the three- but the wife and husband are united in the heaven.
Manimekhalai- sequel to the first story. Daughter of the hero and courtesan.
Drama (nataka) survived in the plays of Ashvaghosha and Bhasa

13. Drama Bhasa’s plays- stories from Mahabharata, Ramayana
Ashwaghosha- for wider audiences- may have been played at the religious assemblies.
Bharata- study of dramatics (Natya sastra) laid down the techniques and rules of dramatics.

14. Art Gandhara art North-West India Indo-Greek mixture Kushana patronage
Buddha is depicted - similar to Apollo

15. Mathura Art Gangetic basin and western India Typical Indian art-
Buddha and Mahabharata and Ramayana subjects
With India dress, and curly hair.
Also Jain art
First Buddha image

16. Mathura Buddha

17. Amaravathi art Satavahanas and Sungas Buddhist subjects
Typical dress and depictions of India

18. Stupa worship

19. Architecture Stupa=mound Fenced path
Railing around it – the four cardinal points- gateways
Sanchi and Barhut stupas are well known examples of this period.

20. Ajanta Cave

21. Ajanta Buddha

22. Bamiyan Buddha

23. Chaitya= Worshipping hall
Barrel vault root- elongated structure
Karle and Kanheri caves
Miniature stupa at the center
Ajanta caves
Jains also built cave temples

24. Ajanta- Buddhas

25. Worshipping headdress

26. Stupa image

27. Stupa parts

28. Vihara=Monastery Where the monks stayed
A series of rooms with a prayer hall (chaitya)
Nasik caves
But in other places as well

29. Karle cave