The Symbolism of the Stupa

Studies on Southeast Asia #1

by Adrian Snodgrass

A close analysis of the architecture of the stupa―a Buddhist symbolic form that is found throughout South, Southeast, and East Asia. The author, who trained as an architect, examines both the physical and metaphysical levels of these buildings, which derive their meaning and significance from Buddhist and Brahmanist influences.

469 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Adrian Bousfield Snodgrass was an Australian architect and scholar in Buddhist studies and Buddhist art. He developed theories in the area of hermeneutical philosophy and its application to knowledge production and cross-cultural understanding. Snodgrass was co-editor of the journal Architectural Theory Review and Editor of Architectural Theory.

Reviews

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is one of my most beloved reference books. I feel like this is the kind of education of aesthetics and art and literature...with myth...that has been cut-back out of schools. More kids need to read comparative philosophical or aesthetic history....to allow kids to develop comprehension and compassion for art and other cultures. The history of who we are as people is contained in this book.

[Muhammad Waqar]

important work regardung stupa architecture