Reading Buddhist Art : An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols Book

	Acknowledgments	7
	Preface	8
	Introduction	9
Sect. I	The Buddhist Pantheon
1	Shakyamuni	27
2	Bhaishajyaguru	31
3	Maitreya	33
4	Vairochana	35
5	Akshobhya	37
6	Amitabha, Amitayus	39
7	Ratnasambhava, Amoghasiddhi	41
8	Avalokiteshvara	43
9	Tara	47
10	Akashagarbha	49
11	Kshitigarbha	51
12	Manjushri	53
13	Samantabhadra	55
14	Vajrapani	57
15	Yama	59
16	Yamantaka	61
17	Mahakala	63
18	Lokapala (Guardian Kings)	65
19	Vaishravana, Kubera	67
20	Gate Guardians	69
21	The Five Kings to Mystical Knowledge	71
22	Yidams	73
23	Devas	75
24	Prajnaparamita, Sarasvati, Marici	77
25	Dakinis, Rakshas, Shaktis	79
26	Ashuras, Yakshas, Apsaras	81
27	Arhats	83
28	Bodhidharma	85
29	Padmasambhava	87
30	Xuanzang, Atisha	89
31	Kobo Daishi	91
32	Facial Features	93
33	The Thirty-Two Marks of a Great Man	95
34	Hairstyles, Crowns and Headdresses	97
35	Jewelry and Adornments	99
36	Thrones and Aureoles	101
37	Standing and Walking Postures	103
38	Sitting Postures	105
39	Lying Position	107
40	Embracing Postures	109
41	Gestures of Fearlessness, Gift Giving	111
42	Gestures of Explanation, Turning of the Wheel of the Law	113
43	Gestures of Earth-Touching, Meditation	115
44	Fist of Wisdom, Gesture of Prayer	117
Sect. II	Signs, Symbols and Ritual Objects
45	The Eight Auspicious Symbols	119
46	Footprints	121
47	The Wheel of the Law	123
48	Lotus	125
49	Precious Jewel	127
50	Swastika	129
51	Trees	131
52	Mountains	133
53	Real Animals	135
54	Mythical Animals	137
55	Diamond Thunderbolt	139
56	Weapons and Instruments	141
57	Daggers and Choppers	143
58	Musical Instruments	145
59	Water and Flower Containers	147
60	Begging Bowls and Skull Cups	149
61	Incense Burners	151
62	Prayer Beads	153
63	Robes and Hats	155
64	Prayer Wheel	157
65	Stupas and Pagodas	159
66	Altars and Shrines	161
67	Sanskrit Letters	163
68	Sacred Texts	165
69	Zen Ink Painting and Calligraphy	167
70	The Six Realms of Rebirth	169
71	Hell Scenes	171
72	Paradise Scenes	173
73	Mandalas	175
Sect. III	Major Buddhist Sites
74	Bodh Gaya, India	177
75	Sanchi, India	179
76	Ajanta, India	181
77	Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka	183
78	Pagan, Burma	185
79	Sukhothai, Thailand	187
80	Angkor, Cambodia	189
81	Borobodur, Indonesia	191
82	Bamiyan, Afghanistan	193
83	Potala Palace, Tibet	195
84	Longmen Caves, China	197
85	Sokkuram, Korea	199
86	Todaiji, Japan	201
87	Ryoanji, Japan	203
	Glossary of Key Buddhist Terms	204
	Further Reading	209
	Illustration Acknowledgments	210
	Index	211