An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Deities, Demi Gods, Godlings, Demons and Heroes: With Special Focus on Iconographic Attributes

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Book Detail

• Author: Fredrick W. Bunce
• Brand: D.K. Print World Ltd
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of Pages: 1685
• Release Date: 30-04-2000
• EAN: 9788124601457
• Package Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.1 x 4.5 inches
• Languages: English

Description:
Beginning with a few aniconic symbols like footprints, thrones, the Bo tree, and stupas in pre-Christian Indian art, Buddhism evolved into a variety of picturesque representations of a Self-Existent, Superimmanent Principle. These representations range from the superbly magnificent to the grotesque, embodying the diverse iconographic attributes of Buddhist deities, saints, and demons. Over the centuries, Buddhist deities have grown into legions, each with distinct attributes and symbolism that are often difficult to recognize even by scholars. This encyclopaedia, with its nearly 8000 alphabetically arranged articles, aims to catalog and explain the multiplicity of Buddhist figures from gods to demons, showcasing their diverse attributes. It includes about 300 line drawings and several colour plates that illustrate the distinctiveness of each figure. With data gathered from authoritative sources across multiple languages, including Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese, and others, the work captures nearly the entire framework of Buddhist divinities, from Adi-Buddha to Arhats, incorporating their iconographic features such as colour, asanas, mudras, vahanas, and more. This exhaustive compilation is a crucial resource for both specialists and non-specialists in the field of Buddhist art and iconography.

Author Details:
Fredrick W. Bunce is a distinguished scholar of Oriental and Buddhist Art, recognized for his deep research into Buddhist iconography and its diverse representations. His work spans years of study in various languages and cultures, focusing on the iconographic attributes and symbolism of Buddhist deities across multiple pantheons and traditions.