Question

Discuss the evolution of Chaityas. Also, discuss the difference between Chaityas and Viharas.

Answer 1

Approach:

1. Mention about the Chaityas and its significance.
2. Describe about the evolution of Chaityas.
3. Mention about the difference between Chaityas and Viharas.
4. Provide a befitting conclusion.

Chaityas:
The term 'chaitya' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Chita', the mound of ashes formed by the cremation of a dead body. Eventually, it came to mean the earth mound heaped over the ashes or relics of a saint, and chaitya became 'that which is worthy to be gazed upon,' thus 'worshipful'.

Evolution of Chaityas:
The earliest 'rock-cut' sanctuaries date back to 200 B.C. These chambers were carved as retreats for ascetics and monks of various sects. The architecture resembled the wooden structures of the time, with barrel vaulted interiors and vertical grooves on the walls to imitate wooden beams and members.

As Buddhism developed from isolated asceticism to a monastic organization, the single cell chamber developed into a monumental chaitya hall that could accommodate a much larger assembly. One of the earliest chaitya hall and vihara (monastery) complexes is the one at Bhaja in western India. But this similarity to wooden buildings gradually disappeared and with it the Hinayana period of chaitya architecture. The Mahayana period not only detached rock- cut architectural style from its wooden predecessor but also introduced an anthropomorphic representation of the Buddha on the stupa. The chaitya halls at Ajanta represent the apex of Buddhist rock- cut architecture and bear the theistic imprint of Mahayana Buddhism.

Difference between the Chaitya and Vihara:
Chaitya were the places of worship and assembly of the monks and it consists of stupa within the structure at one end. The Vihara are the monastery where the monks used to live and it acts as their accommodation during the rainy days. They are usually carved out of rocks as cave structures. There are also places which contains the Chaitya and the Vihara in a single complex. Number of Chaitya and Vihara can be found in Ajanta and Bagh caves.

Conclusion:
These chaitya and vihara was the main aspects of maintaining the monastic nature of Buddhism and Jainism. Many Kings came forward to build these structures to the monks as their contribution to the religion. It led to the development of the art of rock cut structures and mural paintings in India.