Leipzig Kucha Studies, Volume 4

Title in ENGLISH : This book changes our perspective on the paintings in the Buddhist caves of Kucha on the Northern Silk Road (today's Xinjiang Province, an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China) by showing the important role spirit-deities - both benevolent and malevolent - and demonic iconography in general played in the pictorial programmes of the caves. The Kucha paintings show things that were never popular in South Asia: demons attacking the Buddha, but also worshipping him. The message is clear: they are all controlled by the Buddha. Whether these numerous renditions are merely generic apotropaic images, or rather a reaction to an actual threat by the Huns remains an open question.

ISBN 13: 9789387496842

ISBN 10: 9387496848

Edition: New Delhi

Year: 2023

Language: ENGLISH

Subject(s): Fine Arts, Fine Arts