Numbers Their Iconographic Consideration in Buddhist and Hindu Practices

DETAILS : 

• Author : Fredrick W. Bunce
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ D.K. Print World Ltd
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 August 2002
  
• Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 238 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8124602018 
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 9788124602010
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 550 g

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Numbers: Their Iconographic Consideration in Buddhist and Hindu Practices is a specialized scholarly work that decodes the profound numerical symbolism embedded in Eastern sacred art and architecture. Bunce explores how numbers like 3, 4, 8, and 108 are not merely quantities but "visual shorthand" for complex theological concepts, such as the Trikaya in Buddhism or the Dashavatara in Hinduism. The book meticulously analyzes how these numbers dictate the number of heads, arms, and attributes of deities, as well as the geometric proportions of temples and stupas. It serves as an essential lexicon for art historians and practitioners seeking to understand the mathematical "language of the divine" used by ancient artisans to represent cosmic order.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fredrick W. Bunce is a prominent scholar, professor emeritus, and prolific author specializing in the art, iconography, and religious architecture of South and Southeast Asia. With a background in fine arts and a career spanning decades, he is renowned for his ability to catalog and interpret the complex visual motifs of Buddhist and Hindu traditions with encyclopedic precision. His work often focuses on "demystifying" sacred symbols, providing structured guides that help Western and Eastern audiences alike navigate the dense imagery of Tantric and Vedic traditions. Bunce has authored numerous foundational reference books, including dictionaries of Buddhist and Hindu deities, symbols, and architectural forms.