
Shifting Stones, Shaping the Past
Sculpture from the Buddhist Stupas of Andhra Pradesh
Catherine Becker(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 23. October 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-0-19-935940-0 (ISBN)
Description
In this wide-ranging exploration of the creation and use of Buddhist art in Andhra Pradesh, India, Catherine Becker examines how material remains and visual experiences shape and reveal essential human concerns.
Shifting Stones, Shaping the Past addresses the fundamental Buddhist question of how humanity progresses centuries after the passing of its teacher, the Buddha Sakyamuni. How might the Buddhas distant teachings be made immediate and accessible? Beginning with an analysis of the spectacular relief sculptures that once adorned the stupas of the region during the early centuries of the Common Era, Becker analyzes the creation of scenes of devotion and the representation of narratives. These reliefs reveal the ancient devotees faith, or optimism, in the role of visual imagery to continue the work of the Buddha by advancing the spiritual progress of visitors to Andhras stupas. Over a period of almost two millennia, many of these stupas have fallen into disrepair. While it is tempting to view these monuments as ruins, they are by no means dead. Turning to the 20th and 21st centuries, Becker analyzes examples of new Buddhist imagery, recent state-sponsored tourism campaigns, and new devotional activities at the sites in order to demonstrate that the stupas of Andhra Pradesh and their sculptural adornments continue to engage the human imagination and are even ascribed innate power and agency.
Shifting Stones, Shaping the Past reveals intriguing parallels between ancient uses of imagery and the new social, political, and religious functions of these objects and spaces.
Shifting Stones, Shaping the Past addresses the fundamental Buddhist question of how humanity progresses centuries after the passing of its teacher, the Buddha Sakyamuni. How might the Buddhas distant teachings be made immediate and accessible? Beginning with an analysis of the spectacular relief sculptures that once adorned the stupas of the region during the early centuries of the Common Era, Becker analyzes the creation of scenes of devotion and the representation of narratives. These reliefs reveal the ancient devotees faith, or optimism, in the role of visual imagery to continue the work of the Buddha by advancing the spiritual progress of visitors to Andhras stupas. Over a period of almost two millennia, many of these stupas have fallen into disrepair. While it is tempting to view these monuments as ruins, they are by no means dead. Turning to the 20th and 21st centuries, Becker analyzes examples of new Buddhist imagery, recent state-sponsored tourism campaigns, and new devotional activities at the sites in order to demonstrate that the stupas of Andhra Pradesh and their sculptural adornments continue to engage the human imagination and are even ascribed innate power and agency.
Shifting Stones, Shaping the Past reveals intriguing parallels between ancient uses of imagery and the new social, political, and religious functions of these objects and spaces.
Reviews / Votes
There is much to learn in this fine study focusing on the Buddhist art of Andhra, not the least of which is the importance for Buddhist studies of combining a broad range of material and disciplinary perspectives with good art historical methodology. Eschewing an attempt to reassemble the now scattered remains of this region's most famous monuments, Becker has nonetheless constructed a better sense of how and why they matter than has ever been achieved. * Janice Leoshko, Associate Professor of Asian art, University of Texas at Austin *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
One map, 108 photos
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
590 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-935940-0 (9780199359400)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Catherine Becker
Shifting Stones, Shaping the Past
Sculpture from the Buddhist Stupas of Andhra Pradesh
Book
10/2014
Oxford University Press Inc
€211.00
Shipment within 15-20 days

Catherine Becker
Shifting Stones, Shaping the Past
Sculpture from the Buddhist Stupas of Andhra Pradesh
E-Book
09/2014
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€25.49
Available for download

Catherine Becker
Shifting Stones, Shaping the Past
Sculpture from the Buddhist Stupas of Andhra Pradesh
E-Book
09/2014
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€25.49
Available for download
Person
Catherine Becker is Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Author
Assistant Professor of Art HistoryAssistant Professor of Art History, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Content
Acknowledgments ; Introduction ; 1. Keeping the Faith: Andhra's Stupas as Sites of Transformation ; 2. Seeing is Believing: Visual Narration at Andhra's Stupas ; 3. Hyderabad's Hussain Sagar Buddha ; 4. Marketing Enlightenment: The Development of Andhra's Buddhist Tourist Potential ; 5. Kalachakra 2006: Amaravati Welcomes the World ; Epilogue ; Bibliography ; Index