4.9.2. Symbols of worship

Art historians had to acquire familiarity with hagiographies of the Buddha in order to understand Buddhist sculpture. According to hagiographies, the Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree. Many early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form – instead, they showed his presence through symbols. The empty seat was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha, and the stupa was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana.

Art historians study stories about the Buddha's life to decode Buddhist sculptures. Instead of depicting the Buddha himself, early artists used symbols to represent him. The empty seat signifies that the Buddha was meditating, while the stupa represents his final liberation or death called mahaparinibbana, showing viewers that these artworks reflect significant events in the Buddha's journey.

Think of symbolism in movies; when a character is shown holding a trophy, it represents their achievement. Similarly, the empty seat in a sculpture symbolizes the Buddha's meditation, conveying deep meanings without directly showing the Buddha.

Another frequently used symbol was the wheel. This stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath. As is obvious, such sculptures cannot be understood literally – for instance, the tree does not stand simply for a tree, but symbolizes an event in the life of the Buddha. In order to understand such symbols, historians have to familiarise themselves with the traditions of those who produced these works of art.

The wheel is a significant symbol in Buddhism, representing the Buddha’s first teaching after achieving enlightenment. This symbolic use of the wheel extends beyond its physical form, highlighting the concepts of the Buddha’s teachings. Just like understanding a complex painting requires knowledge of the artist's intentions and cultural background, to grasp the full meaning of these symbols, one must learn about Buddhist traditions.

Imagine a logo that stands for a brand; it conveys the essence of the brand’s identity without needing explicit words. In the same way, the wheel and other symbols in Buddhist sculpture convey profound teachings about the Buddha's life and philosophy.

Other sculptures at Sanchi were perhaps not directly inspired by Buddhist ideas. These include beautiful women swinging from the edge of the gateway, holding onto a tree. Initially, scholars were a bit intrigued about this image, which seemed to have little to do with renunciation. However, after examining other literary traditions, they realized that it could be a representation of what is described in Sanskrit as a shalabhanjika.

The sculptures at Sanchi sometimes include elements that appear unrelated to Buddhism at first glance. For example, the depiction of women swinging from trees puzzled historians because it didn't seem to align with Buddhist ideals of renunciation. Further research revealed that these figures, known as shalabhanjika, are symbolic of fertility and prosperity, showcasing how different cultural beliefs can be intertwined in artistic expression.

Think of how different festivals around the world include various cultural practices. For example, the Christmas tree is both a symbol of Christianity and a representation of festive joy, showing how different elements can come together to create new meanings.

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