The mention of Buddhism in Indonesia calls to mind for many people the Central Javanese monument of Borobudur, one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world and the subject of extensive scholarly scrutiny. The neglect of scholarship on Buddhist art from later periods might lead one to assume that after the tenth century Buddhism had been completely eclipsed by the predominantly Hindu Eastern Javanese dynasties. Yet, as the works discussed here illustrate, extraordinary Buddhist images were still being produced as late as the fourteenth century. Violence and Serenity offers a close examination of some of the impressive works from East Java and Sumatra and explores their political and religious roles. The number of clearly identifiable Buddhist works from the Singasari and Majapahit dynasties (1222–ca. 1520) is limited, yet existing examples are impressive. They demonstrate a remarkable level of craftsmanship and are exceptionally expressive, exhibiting a range of emotions from the ferocious to the serene. Following a brief discussion of the early history of Buddhism in Indonesia, Natasha Reichle focuses each chapter on a specific statue or group of statues and considers the larger issues evoked by the images. Through a rarely examined depiction of the last Singasari king, she explores the nature of religion in Java in the late thirteenth century and what we know about tantric practices and the syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism. She reassesses the question of portraiture in ancient Javanese art while contemplating the famous Prajñāpāramitā from Singasari. Notions of kingship are discussed in light of a number of statues depicting the Buddhist deity Amoghapāśa and his attendants and the meanings of the Amoghapāśa maṇḍala. The final chapter examines the origins and significance of one of Indonesia’s most spectacular sculptures, a four-meter-high Buddhist bhairava (demon) discovered in West Sumatra.

Violence and Serenity: Late Buddhist Sculpture from Indonesia

Arts & Photography

Reichle, Natasha

History & Criticism

University of Hawaii Press

Featuring hundreds of full-color photographs, paintings, figurines, crafts, and furniture Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance is an exploration of the very best Balinese culture has to offer. For nearly a century, mention of Bali has evoked images of a tropical paradise. But it is not only the beauty of the island that has attracted artists, dancers, celebrities and scholars. Bali is also famed for its vibrant performance and ritual arts traditions. Although the island is so small it can be circled in a day, it is home to more than 20,000 temples, and each of these produces annual festivals. Where ritual is such a part of daily life, one cannot draw clear lines between the secular and the religious arts. Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance presents a holistic view of the ways that art, ritual, and performance interrelate within the seamless fabric of Balinese life.

Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance

Asian Art Museum

Large paperback published 2010 by Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

Bali Art Ritual Performance

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Reichle, Natasha. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Reichle, Natasha

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Reichle, Natasha. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Violence and Serenity: Late Buddhist Sculpture from Indonesia

Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance

Bali Art Ritual Performance