Arth 100-Lecture 5-Early Asian Art 4

Early Representation of Buddha

  • The earliest images of the Buddha in human form emerged in the first few centuries CE, long after Ashoka's reign.

  • This delay suggests a prolonged period for the development of Buddha's iconography and recognizable attributes.

Example of an Early Buddha Statue

  • Origin: Made in Gandhara, Pakistan in the 2nd or early 3rd century CE.

  • Material: Crafted from schist; height of 1.27 meters.

Attributes of the Buddha Statue

  • Pose: Standing position with right hand raised, signifying a mudra (symbolic gesture) that conveys the idea of 'no fear.'

  • Attire::

    • Wears a monk's robe, depicted in folds that fall diagonally across the body.

    • Barefoot, indicating humility.

  • Base: Features two chakras (wheels) at the bottom, symbolizing the Buddha's teachings.

  • Head:

    • Contains a topknot (ushnisha), indicating enlightenment and covering an enlarged cranium.

    • Displays a third eye (Urna) between the eyes, representing inner wisdom.

    • Elongated ears, a reminder of his princely past and former adornment with jewelry.

  • Realism: The statue displays early attributes linked with Buddha, showcasing the evolving iconography of Buddhism.

Significance of the Sculptured Buddha

  • Comparison with Bodhisattva Statue:

    • Another statue from the same period made of gray schist represents a Bodhisattva, not the historical Buddha.

    • Bodhisattva depicted with luxurious clothing and jewelry, showing attachment to worldly pleasures.

  • Historical Buddha Representation:

    • The early statue is less identifiable as Buddha compared to later representations that include distinct attributes marking him as enlightened.

Later Depiction of Buddha

  • Sculpture Date: Created in the 9th or 10th centuries CE, showcasing progress in Buddhist sculpture.

  • Attributes:

    • Buddha is seated in a yogic pose on a throne-like seat.

    • Triumphant over Mara, representing worldly temptations.

  • Identifiable Characteristics:

    • Monk’s clothing, ushnisha, elongated earlobes, chakras, and a lotus leaf throne, making it easier to recognize him as the Buddha.

    • Hands depicted in a meditative mudra.

Canon of Proportion

  • Definition: A canon refers to the rules and standards used for creating human figures and divine images effectively conveying universal concepts such as harmony, beauty, and truth.

  • Mathematical Significance:

    • Precise geometry was employed to symbolize these concepts, reflecting the idea of divine perfection.

Spread of Buddhism via the Silk Road

  • Concept of Silk Road:

    • Not a physical road, but a network of trade routes (approx. 4,000 miles) connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.

  • Cultural Exchange:

    • Ideas, objects, spices, and Buddha's teachings traveled along these routes through trade and missions.

Decline and Transformation

  • Buddhism in India:

    • Faced decline in followers post-12th century as Hinduism gained prominence.

    • Despite this, Buddhism thrived in other regions such as China, Tibet, and Indonesia, adapting to local contexts and artistic conventions.

Final Considerations

  • Explore examples of Buddhist architecture and art (e.g., stupas) in light of early Buddha representations to understand the evolving nature of Buddhist iconography.