Religious and Cultural Impact of India on Dunhuang Caves of China: A Comparative and Critical Study, Buddhist World Press, 9789380852836

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Religious and Cultural Impact of India on Dunhuang Caves of China: A Comparative and Critical Study

Meena Talim (Author)

Synopsis

The Dunhuang-caves were discovered in 1900 and attracted many historian and scholars, politians from Russia, France and Japan. These caves consist of painted, clay sculptures which reveal an impact of religion and culture of India.

The book is divided into five chapters: The chapter 1 is an introduction to painting and sculptures of the caves. Hence an attempt is made to identify them with the help of Pali-scriptures an earlier and trustworthy source.

The chapter II deals with historical events on persons in the life of the Buddha. There are two murals on Mara’s fight with the Buddha, A renunciation of his cousin Sundarananda and his wife Sundarinanda are described in murals. Besides his historical monks are also dealt with.

The chapter III is devoted to ‘Images of Buddha’ Two huge statues are carved in rocky surface in an Indian and Gandharana style. Buddha in various postures-sleeping standing, sitting, ascetic, meditative and seven Buddhas row are portrayed in detail.

The chapter IV narrates Bodhisattva in murals and sculptural forms. A beautiful ‘Avalokiteshwara’ standing Buddha with two Bodhisattva’, One of which is female, three female Bodhisattvas, including Goddess Tara and Mangolian featured Bodhisattvas and a group of sixteen Bodhisattvas are portrayed. A dominance of lotus-cult of Mahayana is The Dunhuang-caves were discovered in 1900 and attracted many historian and scholars, politians from Russia, France and Japan. These caves consist of painted, clay sculptures which reveal an impact of religion and culture of India.

The chapter V narrates about disciples of Buddha. Mahakashyapa and Rev Ananda with Chinese features and attire, Monk Sariputta with Indian features, Japanese seated Monk, Chinese Monk Xuanzang, Tibetan King with two queens from Nepal and China are beautifully painted. Vimalakirti of Indian origin but popular with Chinese, preaching Buddhism in a radical ways are portrayed. There are only two Jatakas in the caves. An influence of Indian religion and culture on Dunhuang caves pervades in the caves.

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About the author

Meena Talim

Dr. Meena Talim is an internationaly renowned scholar. She was retired as a Professor and Head of Departments of Pali and Ancient Indian Culture, St. Xavier's College, Mumbai (1990). She was the first to be awarded Ph.D. in Pali from University of Mumbai (1960), in Maharastra and the first lady student in India.

Her contribution to the subject, in various aspects, Social, Literary, Political, historical, Medicine and Surgery, Art and Architecture is remarkably significant. Her publication includes 'Buddhavamsa' (1969), 'Women in Early Buddhist Literature (1972)', 'Bagh Paintings' (2004), 'Science of Medicine and Surgery (2009), 'Edicts of King Aoeoka (2010)', 'Life of Women in Buddhist Literature (2010)', 'Ajanta Paintings - Unidentified and Misinterpreted (2013)', 'Bagh Paintings and Sculptures Identifications (2014)', Buddhist Art Vol. I & II (2014). Busshiat Studies, Vol. I and II (2015), 'Sigiriya Paintings of Shri Lanka, Identification & Interpretations (2015)', 'Sanskrit Jatakas of Arya OEura and PaliJatakas (2017)', 'Buddhist Judisprudence (2016)', 'A Comparative and Critical Study of Mahavastu Avadana and Pali-Jatakas (Asiatic Society of Mumbai), 2018', 'A Religious and Cultural Impact on Dunhuang - Cave of China (2018)' Forthcoming - 'Sculptures of Lonad Cave and Pandava-Leni.'

She has been felicitated by, St. Xavier's College, University of Mumbai, University of S.N.D.T.; University of Mumbai - Dept. of Sanskrit, Dept. of Pali, Unicersity of Mumbai, University of Pune.

She has gained National Lifetime Archievement Award for Buddhist Art - K.J. Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies (2008), Second Lifetime Achievement Award for Buddhist Art by Governor of Maharashtra (2013), National Award for Pali and Buddhist Studies-Manjuushri, Allahabad (2015), Life Achievement Award (Jeevan Gaurava Paritoshaka) by Kokan Itihasa Parishad (2018).

Dr. Talim is presently working as a Honarary Professo at K.J. Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies and visiting Professor at University of Mumbai.

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