Indian Contribution to the Development of Far Eastern Buddhist Iconography

The vast store-house of iconic concepts that originated with Mahayana Buddhism in India was transmitted through various channels to East: to China, sparingly to Korea, and often through both, on the Japan. On way from India, the Central Asian Caravan settlements, Buddhist in contents, also lent their hand in this cultural journey through painted and sculptured grottos to enrich this transmitted art carrying with them their own traits. Of these, the Indo-Bactrian forms of dress and countenance occupy a conspicuous place under suitable environs, while in the southern kingdoms of China, Indian forms underwent considerable changes through Tibetan Tantricism, so much so that the symbolic interpretations of the iconic forms appear almost a new phenomenon in Indo-Chinese iconography nearer the border. A study, therefore, of this developing iconography is as interesting as it is complicated and difficult. Leaving out the primal or even the continued Hinayana form of Buddha-worship, it is perhaps more absorbing and fascinating to trace the transforming iconography that grew with Mahayana as it included a good number of Brahmanic gods and goddesses and even a few of local origin. The present work spread over eight Chapters, however, deals with major Mahayana deities including some of the female concepts that were given forms in East Asia undr Saktism in India and Tibet. These include individual deities as described in the Sadhanas, Group deities known as Dharmapala i.e., ‘Protectors of the Buddhist Law’, and a few interesting Japanese godheads with elements of beauty and function, or as objects of prayer for prosperity, personal or social, with borrowed traits from the myths and legends in which they had originated. The text with a Glossary of terms to help, aided by relevant illustrations, would stand out, it is hoped, as a valuable contribution in the sphere broadly encompassed, and as a lucid exposition of the subject.