In Archaeological and Visual Sources of Meditation in the Ancient Monasteries of Kuča, Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato use diverse methodological approaches from archaeology, art history and religious studies to reconstruct monastic life and practices in the rock monasteries on the northern Silk Route (ca. 200-650). Analysis of the caves’ function, meditation manuals, and the cave murals highlights the centrality of meditation, a fundamental duty of Kuča monastics. This interdisciplinary study utilizes hitherto unpublished line drawings, maps, and photographs to reconstruct and interpret the architecture and décor of Kuča caves, thus revealing the close links between the spiritual and the physical, between doctrinal teaching and practice and the lay-out and décor of the monasteries.
目次
Preliminary Material Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato i - xviii
Introduction Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 1 - 2
The Rock Monasteries of Ancient Kuča Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 3 - 55
Formative Elements of Rock Monasteries of Ancient Kuča Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 56 - 105
The Visual Language of Meditation Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 106 - 154
The Origin of the Visual Language Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 155 - 169
Epilogue Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 170 - 172
Appendix I Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 173 - 175
Bibliography Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 176 - 182
Color Illustrations Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 183 - 209
Index Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato 210 - 214
