ARTH 2274 Buddhist Arts of Asia

In the early centuries AD, Buddhism spread eastward from its origins in India across Central Asia to China, Korea, and Japan. As is spread, it profoundly impacted the visual cultures of these regions. Students in this course will be introduced to the major styles and types of Buddhist art and architecture, as well as to the fundamental role it played in religious practice. Topics to be explored include the origins of the anthropomorphic Buddha image, pictorial narratives of the Buddhas life, the sacred architecture of mandalas, and visual representations of hells and paradises. Students will also deepen their knowledge about one aspect of Buddhist art or architecture through an in-depth research project on a well-conceived topic.