The Indian Buddhist Iconography

Abstract

This volume is an attempt to present a comprehensive work on Buddhist iconography of India, and is mainly based on Sanskrit text prepared from seven recessions of the Sadhanamata alias Sadhanamuccaya. The text has been illustrated by pictures representing images in several museums in India and elsewhere in the collection of numerous Nepalese monasteries. In the present work endeavor has been made to identify the images of Buddhist deities by means of Dhyanas given in the Sadhanamata. Wherever images could not be procured, the Sadhana has been illustrated with the help of sketches or drawings prepared by Nepalese chitrakaras of Buddhist origin from the ancient albums of their forefathers. Where no drawing could be obtained only the original text has been quoted with a translation. The importance of Indian Buddhist Iconography lies not only in its being one of the earliest authentic account but also as one of the most outstanding work on the subject not withstanding the change in perception due to new material and research. The work which has long been out-of-print is being re-issued for the use of art-historians, archaeologists, conservators and also for the lay readers.