L
Lakshmi
A consort of Vishnu. The goddess of beauty and good fortune. She was reincarnated
with Vishnu as one of his avataras each time he appeared on earth. For example,
she was born Sita, the wife of Rama, and Rukmuni the principle wife of Krishna.
The lotus flower is one of t her attributes.
Lamaism
A form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet and Mongolia.
Lan Na
A kindom of North Thailand, centered in Chiang Mai, which flourished between
the 13th and 14th centuries C.E.
Laterite
A deposit of red of brown clay produced by decomposing rocks. Laterite is soft
when first unearthed but becomes hard when exposed to the air. It is frequently
used as a building materiel in Thailand and Cambodia.
Le
The dynasty ruling Vietnam from 1427 to 1789 C.E., the golden age of Vietnamese
history when art flourished.
Library
The name given to two separate buildings located on either side of the main
entrance to a Khmer temple. There is no evidence they were used as libraries.
Linga
A phallic emblem or representation of a male phallus, symbol of Shiva and his
role in creation. It is called a mukhalinga when a face is added to its surface.
There are many different types, often divided into three parts: a cubic base
representing Vishnu and a cylindrical section with a rounded top representing
Shiva.
Lintel
A crossbeam resting on two upright posts usually decorated with narrative scenes
or decorative motifs. In Khmer temples the lintel is above the door or window
opening, directly below the pediment.
Lost wax
A technique used in bronze casting. The technique of the Indianized Southeast
Asian countries differs from that of China and the West.
Lotus
A type of water lily associated with the divine birth story of the Buddha and
used symbolically in Hindu and Buddhist art. According to the story, immediately
after his birth the Buddha took seven steps, and wherever his feet touched the
ground lotus flowers bloomed. Lotus pedestal are used as a base for some Buddha
images.
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Lumbini
The park near Kapilavatthu where Prince Siddhartha, the historical Buddha, was
born,. Located in present day Nepal.