Inscribed relief art at the early Buddhist archaeological site of Sanchi in India exhibits at least one interesting quality not found elsewhere at the site. Sanchi is well known for its narrative reliefs and reliquaries enshrined in stūpas. However, two inscribed images of stūpas found on the southern gateway record the gifts of two prominent individuals. The first is a junior monk whose teacher holds a high position in the local order. The second is the son of the foreman of the artisans of a king. Both inscribed stūpa images represent a departure from a previous donative epigraphical habit. Instead of inscribing their names on image-less architectural pieces, these two particular individuals inscribed their names on representations of stūpas, a symbol with a multiplicity of meanings. In this thesis, I use two perspectives to analyze the visual and verbal texts of these inscribed reliefs. In the end, I suggest that these donations were recorded as part of the visual field intentionally, showing the importance of not only inscribing a name on an auspicious symbol but also the importance of inscribing a name for the purpose of being seen. / text

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UNIVERZITA KARLOVA V PRAZE Fakulta humanitních studií Katedra Obecné antropologie Mgr. Jan Honzík BUDDHISMUS NA ZÁPADĚ ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA Disertační práce Školitel práce: PhDr. Jiří Holba, Ph.D. Praha 2014 Abstract This paper discusses Buddhism in the Czech Republic. It deals with Buddhism as a complex phenomenon consisiting of philosophical, religious, socio-cultural, psychological and ethical planes. These categories are related to the basic structures of human existence and therefore are subject to a science of humanity - anthropology. In this sense, the paper is presented as anthropological work. The first chapter, entitled "Buddhism from Buddha to the present" introduces the major Buddhist schools, their common resources, basic teachings, characteristics, specifics and development. Furthermore, the chapter describes the process of Buddhism establishing in the West up to the present and explores the fundamental features of contemporary Western Buddhism. The second chapter, entitled "Buddhism in the Czech Republic" deals with the history of Buddhism in the Czech Republic and maps the current Czech Buddhist scene. It provides an overview of Czech Buddhist groups, centers and charitable initiatives, looking into their values, practices, methods, regular activities and their relationship to the Buddhist...

UNIVERZITA KARLOVA V PRAZE Fakulta humanitních studií Katedra Obecné antropologie Mgr. Jan Honzík BUDDHISMUS NA ZÁPADĚ ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA Disertační práce Školitel práce: PhDr. Jiří Holba, Ph.D. Praha 2014 Abstract This paper discusses Buddhism in the Czech Republic. It deals with Buddhism as a complex phenomenon consisiting of philosophical, religious, socio-cultural, psychological and ethical planes. These categories are related to the basic structures of human existence and therefore are subject to a science of humanity - anthropology. In this sense, the paper is presented as anthropological work. The first chapter, entitled "Buddhism from Buddha to the present" introduces the major Buddhist schools, their common resources, basic teachings, characteristics, specifics and development. Furthermore, the chapter describes the process of Buddhism establishing in the West up to the present and explores the fundamental features of contemporary Western Buddhism. The second chapter, entitled "Buddhism in the Czech Republic" deals with the history of Buddhism in the Czech Republic and maps the current Czech Buddhist scene. It provides an overview of Czech Buddhist groups, centers and charitable initiatives, looking into their values, practices, methods, regular activities and their relationship to the Buddhist...