Question

“To understand the meanings of sculptures, historians have to be familiar with the stories behind them”. Support the statement by giving examples from Buddhist Art from 600 BCE to 600 CE.

Answer 1

1. The Buddha’s empty seat signified meditation.
2. The wheel represents the Buddha’s first sermon.
3. Shailabhanjika, a lucky emblem of wealth.
4. The goddess of luck, Gajalakshmi.
5. A tree represents a moment in the Buddha’s life.
6. Bodhisattas and Buddha images.
7. Animal motifs and snakes.
8. Scenes from the hagiography of Buddha and Jataka legends.