Chorteny Nepala. Arkhitektura i buddiĭskie praktiki v Gimalai︠a︡kh
Illustrations and maps
color illustrations; maps
165 USD
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For more than two millennia, Buddhism has shaped the cultural landscape of Central, South, Southeast and East Asia. From ancient Bactria and Gandhara to Tibet, Mongolia and Japan, from Sri Lanka and Myanmar to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, each region had its own special ideas about Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and other guardian spirits and saints. Of particular importance is the transmission of the image of the Buddha and his teachings in cult, most often monolithic, structures. Called Stupas in Sanskrit, Chaityas in Nepali, Sibhami in Newar and Chorten in Tibetan, these structures - impressive or miniature - define the urban space not only in the Kathmandu Valley. They also mark the entrance to Tibetan villages in northern Nepal, stretch along trails over high passes, and highlight topographically important sites. Thousands of stupas transform wildlife into a habitable space that promises refuge, protection and well-being for the traveler. These structures, often small, consist of two or three cubes of different sizes. Of particular importance are the "Triple Protectors" (Rigsum Gönpo) in the form of three cubes (black, white and red), lined up. They are designed to protect settlements from disasters such as floods, landslides, pests and epidemics. Individual structures of a cubic shape can act as storage facilities for relics or the ashes of the dead. 584 maps, architectural drawings and photographs from 1970-2008 document the rich cultural heritage of Tibetan and Tamang settlements along the Himalayan mountain range.
