Question

“Art historians had to acquire familiarity with Hagiographies of Buddha in order to understand Buddhist sculpture.” Explain the statement in the context of Sanchi Stuра.

Answer 1

1. Buddhist sculptures, such as those found at Sanchi, did not represent the Buddha in human form. Instead, artists used various symbols to convey their presence.
2. These symbols were based on stories from the Buddha’s life.
3. Such stories are recorded in hagiographies, which describe the Buddha’s life with emphasis on his miracles and spiritual experiences.
4. To understand the symbolism used in the sculptures, such as the lotus or the Bodhi tree, art historians needed to study these hagiographies.
5. Without knowledge of these texts, it would be difficult to correctly interpret the meaning and purpose of the sculptures at the Sanchi Stupa.