The Indian Buddhist Iconography

The book is organized as a comprehensive iconographic taxonomy of Indian Buddhist deities. The opening section introduces the sources and methods of Buddhist iconography, especially tantric manuals of visualization and ritual practice. Chapter I studies Dhyāni and mortal Buddhas, including Vajradhara, Amitābha, Akṣobhya, Vairocana, Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, Vajrasattva, their śaktis, Bodhisattvas, and Maitreya. Chapters II–IV examine the Bodhisattvas, with special chapters on Mañjuśrī and Avalokiteśvara. Chapters V–X classify the emanations of Amitābha, Akṣobhya, Vairocana, Amoghasiddhi, and Ratnasambhava, covering both male and female tantric deities. Chapter XI presents collective deity groups such as directional gods and goddesses, Uṣṇīṣa deities, protectresses, Tārās of five colours, Gaurī groups, dance deities, musical deities, door goddesses, light goddesses, animal-faced goddesses, and Ḍākinī groups. Chapter XII treats philosophical deities, including the pāramitās, vaśitās, bhūmis, dhāraṇīs, and pratisamvits. Chapter XIII studies Hindu gods absorbed into Vajrayāna, including Mahākāla, Gaṇapati, Sarasvatī, Dikpālas, principal Hindu deities, planets, yakṣa and gandharva kings, constellations, and time deities. The volume concludes with a discussion, an appendix on 108 forms of Avalokiteśvara, glossary, word index, and index of illustrations.