Ajanta

Ajaṇṭā

Ajaṇṭā. An impressive series of about twenty-eight (numbers vary because of interconnections) humanly constructed caves in W. India, cut into a cliff overlooking the Waghora River, Maharashtra. Started in the 2nd cent. BCE and continued until the 6th cent. CE Ajaṇṭā is a series of monastic residences (vihāras) with four associated caitya halls. The wall-paintings, from all periods of construction, reached a peak of achievement during the Gupta era (320–650 CE). This Gupta style celebrates a fusion of the sacred and the aristocratic, and, through the visits of Chinese pilgrims, exercised a powerful influence on the painting of the Tʾang (618–906 CE).

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JOHN BOWKER. "Ajaṇṭā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Ajaṇṭā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Aja.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Ajaṇṭā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Aja.html

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Ajaṇṭā

Ajaṇṭā. The site of a series of 28 artificial cave temples, a number with carvings and murals of great beauty, located along a cliff face in the Indhyadri hills of eastern Mahārāṣṭra. Work on these caves began before 250 bce but was abandoned until c.450 ce when Mahāyāna-orientated monks (bhikṣu) resumed settlement and enlargement. The caves were abandoned during the 7th century ce and lay undisturbed until their accidental rediscovery in 1819 by British army officers.

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "Ajaṇṭā." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Ajaṇṭā." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Aja.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Ajaṇṭā." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Aja.html

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Ajanta

Ajanta , village, Maharashtra state, W central India, in the Ajanta Hills. The famous Ajanta caves, discovered in 1819, contain remarkable examples of Buddhist art. The caves, carved out of the side of a steep ravine, consist of chapels and monasteries dating from c.200 BC–AD 650 with magnificent frescoes and sculpture depicting scenes from the life of Buddha.

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"Ajanta." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Ajanta." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Ajanta.html

"Ajanta." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Ajanta.html

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Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves a series of caves in the state of Maharashtra, south central India, containing Buddhist frescoes and sculptures dating from the 1st century bc to the 7th century ad.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Ajanta Caves." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Ajanta Caves." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-AjantaCaves.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Ajanta Caves." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-AjantaCaves.html

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Ajanta. (Image by Soman, GFDL)