Dictionary of  Buddhist Iconography  by Lokesh Chandra. To be completed in 20 volumes. The following volumes 
have been published and are available.....

"The Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography is an endeavour of half a century to identify, classify, describe and delineate the bewildering variation in Buddhist icons. It spans the last twenty centuries, and it is a comparative study of unprecedented geographic variations, besides the ever evolving visualisations of great masters who introduced extraordinary plurality
 of divine forms in the dharanis and sadhanas.

"The Dictionary details the characteristic attributes, chronology and symbolism of over twelve thousand main and 
minor deities. It reflects the extraordinary cultural, literary, aesthetic and spiritual achievements of several nations 
of Asia over two millennia."

Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography, Vol. I/Lokesh Chandra. 1999, xlvii, 323 p., ISBN 81-86471-99-5. [Sata Pitaka Series: Indo-Asian Literatures Vol. 601]. Details No. 14991

Contents: Introduction. 1. Evolution of Buddhist iconography. 2. Arhats, 108 Lokesvaras, Siddhas. 3. Entries. 4. Indian sources (Gandavyuha, Sadhana-mala). 5. Mitra-yogin's pantheon. 6. Vajravali/Nispanna-yogavali. 7. Sino-Japanese pantheons. 8. Tibetan pantheons. 9. 300 icons, 360 icons. 10. Pao-hsiang Lou Pantheon. 11. Rin. hbyun. 12. Astasahasrika Pantheon. Conclusion. Literature cited. Dictionary (A-Amoghavajra).

 

Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography: Vol. 2: (Amoghavikramin-- Bzod.par.smra.ba.can)/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya, 2000, [Volume 2: 325-679 p., illustrated,  ISBN 81-7742-027-5]. This title is to be completed in twenty volumes. Details  No. 17488

From the preface: "Moments of contemplation find expression in iconography. As the vision becomes vaster and cosmic moments of transcendence involve form, the inner universe works itself into art. The other shore, the insight becomes, rtambhara (Yogasutras 1.48). Living experience flows into the rhapsodic form, an access to the yonder mind of inspiration. The iconic forms are a search of the overflowing of the depths wherein images unify and perfect.

"This second volume of the Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography shows the vast expanse, the temporal evolution of millennia and the emanation of the ever-evolving realm of the divine, the apparitions of the one into the many. The spontaneity of images unfolds into the store-consciousness (alaya-vijnana) of many countries of Asia. This dictionary is a step to read this tangle of hieroglyphics of Buddhist iconography over the ages and in lands widely apart that have shared the spiritual values of the Tathagata. Theonyms beginning with Amogha open the volume, and it comprises all the entries of the letter B.

"An-iconic awareness resolves into iconic representation in the creative play of colours of the silk scrolls of East Asia and thankas of Tibet, Mongolia and Buryatia. This dictionary is an effort to provide a guide to the infinite richness of the multiplicity of figures scintillating in colours of deep meaning."............

Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography : Vol. 3: Cayan Acala-Dhupa/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, International Academy of Indian Culture and Aditya Prakashan, 2001, ix, 988 p., ISBN 81-7742-041-0. Details No. 24093

Contents: Preface. 1. Literature cited (supplementary list). 2. Dictionary (Cayan Acala-Dhupa).

"The multiple forms of a theonym arise in varying contexts. For example, Hevajra of the Hevajra-tantra holds crania in his hands, while the Hevajra of the Samputa-tantra has weapons. Both are subdivided into four each on the planes of kaya, vak, citta and hrdaya, with two, four, eight and sixteen arms. The Dictionary classifies several such types of a deity and places each in its theogonic structure, specifies the earliest date of its occurrence (e.g. Amoghapasa appears in Chinese in AD 587), the earliest image, the direction in which it is placed in the specific quarter of the Mandala, its classification, colour, crown or hairdo, ferocious or serene appearance, number of eyes and heads, hair standing up and/or flaming, number of arms and attributes held in them, consort, lord of the family (kulesa), and so on. The esoteric name, symbolic form (samaya), bija (hierogram), mantra, Mudra and Mandala are given in this Dictionary for the first time and on an extensive scale. The Sanskrit, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Tibetan, Mongolian, Manchu and other names are given under the main entry, as well as cross referenced in their own alphabetic order.

"It will help to identify the masterpieces along with the profusion of masters and divine beings around them. The last few decades have seen an exuberant flourishing of the study and popularisation of the patrimony of Buddhist art for its aesthetic magnificence. This Dictionary will add a dimension of precision and depth of perception to the visual tradition of paintings and sculptures."...
Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography : Vol. 4 (Dhyana-paramita-Gzuns.las.byun.bahi lha.mo Nor.rgyun.ma)/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, IAIC and Aditya Prakashan, 2002, viii, 989-1332 p., ills., ISBN 81-7742-042-9. Details No. 26674


Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography : Volume : 5 : Haakushu – Jyotisprabha ? Buddha/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2002, viii, 1333-1569 p., photographs,  ISBN 81-7742-047-X. Details No. 28634

 
Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography : Volume 6: Kabira-jin – Lva.va.pahi Bde.mchog/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2002, 1570-1850 p.,  ISBN 81-7742-049-6. Details No. 29414
Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography, Volume 7. Ma.bdud – Manjushiri/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2003, viii, 1851-2140 p.,  ISBN 81-7742-051-8. Details No. 30105

 

 

 

 

 

 Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography : Volume 8: Manjusri-Nyoze-en/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2003, vii, 2141-2469 p.,  ISBN 81-7742-052-6. Details No. 31002

 

 

 

 
Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography, Volume 9 (Ober-e ober-e dayayci eke—Quricaqui ugei kobegun)/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2003, xii, 2471—2747 p.,  ISBN 81-7742-054-2. Details No. 32542
Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography, Vol. 10. RA - Sakyamitra/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2004, viii, 2749-3042 p.,  ISBN 81-7742-055-0. Details No. 34759
Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography, Vol. 11. (Sakyamuni - Sparsavajra)/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2004, viii, 3043-3354 p., figs.,  ISBN 81-7742-056-9. Details No. 35552
Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography : Vol. 12/Lokesh Chandra. Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2004, viii, 3347-3708 p., figs.,  ISBN 81-7742-059-3.  Details No. 36657

 

 

 

Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography, Vol. 13 : Ubai-Shin - Vajrakulodbhava/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2004, vii, 3709 - 4000 p., figs., ISBN 81-7742-061-5. Details No. 39780
Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography, Vol. 14 : Vajrakumara -- Vasumitra/Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2005, vii, 4001 - 4295 p., figs., ISBN 81-7742-063-1.  Details No. 40848
Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography, Vol. 15 : Vasundhara -- Zyokukai/Lokesh Chandra. Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 2005, vii, 4295-4586 p., figs., $99 (Vol. 15). ISBN 81-7742-064-X.  Details No. 41929

 

 [Lokesh Chandra is a renowned Scholar of Tibetan. Mongolian and Sino-Japanese Buddhism Presently he is Director, International Academy of Indian Culture.]....