The Golden Lands

"How can we take up-to-date architectural surveying, and combine it with an authoritative historical narrative of ancient and religiously sacred places, in a way that is scholarly but also accessible? -- This was the challenge we set ourselves when we launched this series," explains author and professional New Delhi architect Vikram Lall. "We wanted to be rigorous in the way we created an account of these sacred Buddhist sites, but communicate also the sense of wonder both to architects and travellers."

The result is the ambitious new book, The Golden Lands, covering hundreds of famous and lesser-known Buddhist stupas, pagodas, temples, and monasteries across, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.

A detailed text takes readers through the history of Buddhism and cultural influences in Southeast Asia, using many examples in the analysis of architectural construction and design, with interpretation of Buddhist symbolism. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of new photographs, architectural diagrams, and maps, it is the summation of over 25 years' intensive research into Buddhist architecture by Vikram Lall.

Clearer Understanding

"In improving the world's appreciation of the significance of the masterpieces of ancient Buddhist architecture, we have two problems: first, even the most famous sites are surprisingly little known to people with a Western educational background, and people really need to visit these countries to gain an initial understanding... And secondly, even when you visit, many of them are either not that accessible, or simply so huge, complex, and overwhelming, it is hard to gain a full understanding without someone to explain what you are looking at," says publisher Joan Foo Mahony.

"Conservation and protection of these beautiful buildings and the artwork they contain are huge challenges for these South East Asian nations. With this international book launch we hope to promote respect and understanding of the importance of these sites to all of humanity, and especially to provide an inspiring and practical reference work for the professional architects, curators and historians who will be tasked with their conservation for generations to come."