Tantra and Temple Architecture in Buddhist Southeast Asia

Abstract

Abstract From 7th to 13th centuries, network of Buddhist monks stretched from the Ganges Valley to Japan and from the Himalayan snows to the Maritime Sea routes. It became responsible for bringing the new esoteric form of Buddhism that was geared towards the representation of royal power than the earlier monastic version. The esoteric Buddhism attracted many kings, as it promised direct engagement with cosmic Buddhas and gods otherwise inaccessible to human conceptual powers. It was based on (1) ritual initiations prescribed in tantras; (2) recitation of magical formulas—mantras; and (3) architectural development of the model of the Buddhist cosmos—mandalas. Mandalas became valuable tools for Buddhist monks for reorganizing the religious/political landscapes. This study finds that the tantric Garbhadhātu and Vajradhātu manddalas along with their modified versions were wide spread than formerly thought and can be traced in the architecture of monuments from the Ganges valley to the island of Java.